JDM / Japanese VIP Styling: My Prius III Build

HEY PRIUS CHAT FOLKS !!!

Now that the SEMA Show is over and some of my Holiday Travels are complete it's time to get back to customizing HBII !!!

I wanted to clean up the look of the Engine Compartment and did some searching online and found more Toyota JDM Original Parts !!!

And So ... Here's are the latest additions to the HBII Ride !!!

Engine Room Covers !!!



Toyota Original Part / JDM Part #

01. Inverter Cover / G9140-76010
02. Inverter Cover Bracket / 82715-76040
02. Radiator Reserve Tank Cover / 16615-28010
03. ECU Connector Cover / 82821-76010
04. (Included Push Button Fasteners)

Here are some pix taken during the installation that day 11-25-12 !!!

Japan Express Mail Service package ...



Contents Inside :



Inverter Cover :




Inverter Cover Bracket :





Radiator Reserve Tank Cover :





ECU Connector Cover :





Push Button Fasteners :




Let's Begin !!!

US Engine Bay :



Inverter Bracket & Cover Installation :

Inverter :



Begin with the Inverter Cover Bracket ...



Locate the Original Bracket (Left of the Inverter) and locate the Clip on the upper portion and the 10mm screw on lower portion of the Bracket)



Clip (Pull tab towards front of Prius to remove)



10mm Screw (Unscrew)



Remove both then, locate a Second clip on the lower portion of bracket [Located between the inverter (Right) and the Air Cleaner Box (Left) ] and Remove. Note : There is a White flat piece of plastic where a wiring harness attached to it with electrical tape is. Remove Electrical Tape.



Comparison of the US OEM Clip (Left) and the Japan JDM Clip (Right)

Note the white plastic piece on the Original bracket. Remove this and reinstall on the JDM bracket.

Also Note that the JDM Version contains an insertion point for the Push Button Fastener.



JDM Inverter Cover Bracket Installed



Fasten and install Inverter Cover
There are both the Push Button Fastener and an Anchor point (Not Shown or Right Underside of Cover) which
secures the Inverter Cover in place.



Installation of Radiator Reserve Tank Cover



Locate the existing 2 Holes where the Radiator Reserve Tank Cover will be fastened ...
Then slide over the Cap and Fasten ...



Installation of ECU Connector Cover

Locate ECU
Located Above and to the Right of the Inverter



Lift Grey Lever to allow Clearance of the ECU Connector Cover





Slide ECU Connector Cover over existing wiring
(Easiest way I found to install this was from the Right Side of the ECU)
The ECU Cover will fasten into place.
Lower Grey Lever and Complete.





Complete Installation !!!

Before :



After :






I am very pleased with these JDM Toyota Original Parts !!!

A much Cleaner look of the Engine Bay Area !!!

Happy Prius Modding Folks !!!



Rodney

 

Thanks for the kind words !!!

If you're thinking of getting the set I highly recommend it !!!

I'm always cleaning the engine bay after I wash the Prius and am always nervous when I am around the Inverter and the Orange Cables ... Not anymore !!!

Hope you all have a great week ahead !!!



Rodney

 

Sounds like a great idea !!!

Because of the holidays I will set up something for January !!!

Miss seeing Everyone !!!



Rodney

 

HEY PRIUS CHAT FOLKS !!!



Installed another Great New item to the HB II Ride to compliment another Mod coming shortly !!!

Chrome Door Handles !!!

There are a couple of versions that I saw online ... Both a Full Chrome Cover and a Half Chrome Cover.
I installed the Half Chrome Cover as I didn't want too much Chrome and I wanted to still have some of the Blizzard Pearl shown in that area. Just a subtle and clean addition !!!

Here are my pictures

Overseas Arrival !!!



Neatly Packaged ...



Nice Chrome ...



3M Tape behind each piece to secure onto the Handle ...



Before ...
(Make sure you clean the surface with an Alcohol Prep Pad to remove any dirt or oils that may prevent a secure contact !!!



And in no time at all ...

Completed Installation !!!






I am very satisfied with this product, I am happy with this Half Chrome Cover version as I like how it still maintains visibility of the Blizzard Pearl without feeling too "Heavy" on the chrome ... just enough to keep it looking subtle and clean !!!

Just enough but not too much Bling !!!

Stay tuned for the next addition so you can see why I added these Chrome Handles !!!



Rodney

 

Hey Prius Chat Folks !!!



Here's are the Latest Additions to the HBII Prius !!!

It was time for New Tires and New Wheels !!!

I contacted two companies that have had a Great Reputation for Quality and Precision.

Falken Tire Corporation & Tanabe USA / SSR Wheels.

I personally have had only Great Experiences with Falken Tire and so naturally that is the company I chose for the New Tires.

Although I have never had a set of Tanabe USA / SSR Wheels before, their reputation and from the testimonies of my friends it was not even a question for me.

Let's Begin with the Falken Tires :

I chose the Falken Azenis FK 453
225-35-ZR19

More information on these here :

Azenis FK-453 | Falken Tire

Here are my Pictures :





And for the Tanabe USA / SSR Wheels I chose the :

SSR Professor SP3
Titan Silver Color
19x9 Fronts and Rears
Offsets : Fronts +49 Rears +37

I chose these Exact Offsets because :

01. Flush Fitment with all Fenders
02. Maximize Stepped Lip Sizing
03. Brake Calipers Clearance
04. Air Runner Air Suspension Clearance

**These are Custom Ordered Wheels and being that they are manufactured in Japan, from production to delivery time was within 3 months. In my opinion it was definitely worth the wait.

**Please Note these are an Aggressive Wheel Fitment and Sizing. For those that are concerned with MPG and Hypermiling this MAY NOT be the choice for you. Because my Prius is involved with Car and Trade Shows this was the perfect choice for my Project Build.**

More information on the SP3s here :

SSR Wheels - SSR Professor SP3

Here are my pictures :

The Arrival !!!





With the Blue protective plastic coating ...




Verification of Offsets :

Front :



Rear :



Then it was time to head over to the Installation Shop ...





Prior to Unveiling the Finale, I installed the SSR Wheels Center Cap and Vinyl Logos :

**Because of Brand Specifications, SSR is particular on precise orientation and location of the SSR Logo. Respecting that tradition, I took my time**

Positioning and Orientation of the Logo within the Center Cap must be Parallel with the Lug Holes in both the 3 and 9 O'Clock positions and perpendicular to the center of the Valve Stem at 6 O'Clock.



Installation Process ...
These images were taken 1/4 turn counterclockwise.






Complete !!!



Then it was time to install the SSR Vinyl Logo locations on both sides of the vehicle on the two front Door Lower Panels ...







Complete !!!



And Now the Completed Installation Pictures !!!
(These are what my Chrome Door Handle Covers were for !!!)



Front Fender / Panel




Rear Fender / Panel




Various Shots ...








I am Very Satisfied with the Great Products from both Falken Tire & Tanabe USA / SSR Wheels !!!

An Early Christmas Present for HBII

Mele Kalikimaka Everyone !!!





Rodney

 

Thank you for the kind words 32kcolors !!!

The Japanese VIP style look for Rims / Tires usually call for some "tire stretch" so that the wheel rims do have more noticeability. This actually is quite a mild stretch as others prefer a more aggressive stretch.

I also wanted some stretch as it allows me to tuck the tires deeper into the wheel well without having to roll my fenders. This also allows me to take full advantage of the Air Runner air suspension capabilities.

Also, the Falken Azenis are rated up to a 9" wheel width. Because of this there is no compromise to the safety of the bead.

This style may not be for everyone but it is a style that I do enjoy seeing in the Japanese VIP scene.

I am back to stock taillights as I have some new tricks up my sleeve for 2013 !!!

Hope this helps !!!



Rodney