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Illuminated Emblems DIY Style (Pics inside)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by jmrmotorhead, Dec 4, 2012.

  1. jmrmotorhead

    jmrmotorhead Junior Member

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    I've posted these photos and info in various threads recently, but figured I'd make its own thread in case anyone has any questions, and plus I'm real proud of how it turned out!

    I did these with EL wire, makes the light really even and less blotchy than LED's would. The power was tapped from the parking lamps up front and the plate lamps for the rear. Its not noticeable during the day unless its really cloudy, but at night they really stand out. I'm not too worried about legal issues, as from a distance you dont really notice them, just within 15 feet or so. However if someone was worried, using white up front and red in the rear would make it 100% legal. You could even make the rear one come on red when you hit the brakes if it was wired to the brake lamps.

    I am looking into setting up a group buy, I've been in contact with Danny from PC to see how I should go about that, so once we get it squared away I will let everyone know. Feel free to let me know if you think you'd be interested and I can get in contact with more details once it goes through. Not looking to make money, they will be around 45-50$ for both emblems.

    And now for the pictures!
    2012-12-04_13-21-15_358.jpg

    2012-12-04_13-21-06_159.jpg

    2012-12-04_22-11-14_15.jpg

    2012-12-04_22-10-19_558.jpg

    2012-12-04_22-11-20_541.jpg

    2012-11-27_18-41-03_298.jpg

    2012-11-27_19-43-06_723.jpg


    So what do you think? I was never a real fan of glowing things on cars, but since this kept the look 100% stock during the day, and it is so even that I really like it. I think it really makes the car unique, which I'm all for!

    Matt
     
    icyrius, Palulf, Dylan Doxey and 9 others like this.
  2. wotcher

    wotcher Member

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    good work. i would like to have blue standard and red on brake.
     
    Les_PL likes this.
  3. Burna J

    Burna J Knot Right Performance....

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    They looks sweet.........Great work my friend, looking forward to a group buy.
     
  4. Aquos

    Aquos Junior Member

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    im in. looks great
     
  5. John C

    John C New Member

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    That looks great! I'd definitely be interested. I do like the idea of red for the brakes, too.
     
  6. Electric Charge

    Electric Charge Active Member

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    Do you have any pictures of the emblem removed and/or the installation process? I really want to know how easy it would be to run wire from that emblem to inside the car, and if it is easy to put the emblem back in place. I have a lease, so I'd like to figure this in advance, thanks!
     
  7. jmrmotorhead

    jmrmotorhead Junior Member

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    EC- I just tapped into the parking lamp wire, no need to run wires inside the vehicle. The rear is more intensive, requires removing the hatch trim to get to the wiring and install the emblem. On the front, all you need is to remove the trim panel above the radiator (3 clips), reach in that ridiculously cramped space, unscrew the two screws for the emblem and pop it out. If your worried about ease of install, and removal, I would only do the front unless your planning on having the car for a long time.

    I can get photos of the emblem itself while installing the EL wire, but forgot to take some while the car was apart...

    Matt
     
  8. pholife

    pholife Junior Member

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    Great Job!
     
  9. Electric Charge

    Electric Charge Active Member

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    Photos would be great. I'd also like to try some other stuff, which would require me to remove the emblem and run this wire inside, so any photos which shows how to take things apart would be great. Thanks!
     
  10. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    Thanks! Do you wire the EL wire directly into the vehicle wiring or is there an inverter needed for the EL wiring?
     
  11. jmrmotorhead

    jmrmotorhead Junior Member

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    EC-
    What other stuff? The suspense is killing me!
    Front emblem removal requires removing the plastic trim panel above the radiator. Push in on the centers of the three clips to release them. Once that panel is out of the way you can reach into the stupidly tight space and use a stubby screwdriver to remove the two screws that hold the emblem on. Then it un-clips from the bumper and pops out to the front. Once thats out you can remove the emblem from the black mounting piece if needed.

    The rear is much more intense...
    Remove the inside plastic hatch panel, loosen and remove the four nuts inside the hatch (found under that plastic panel). Unplug the plate lamp harness and the plug for the rear entry switch. Then the whole painted plastic portion which houses the emblem can be popped off the car. use car as to not bend it or the paint may crack. Work slow and it should come free. Once free be sure to plug the entry switch back in to the harness, or else if you close the hatch youll have to figure our how to open it from the inside....not fun, trust me!
    I'll have photos of another install in a few days for you, stay tuned.

    Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions!
    Matt
     
  12. jmrmotorhead

    jmrmotorhead Junior Member

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    Hi Peterjmc,
    A tiny inverter is needed to up the voltage and switch to AC for the EL wire to operate. That inverter is wired into the vehicle wiring. I found out that that little inverter really does up the voltage quite a bit, gives you a nice sting if its not insulated! All of this will be included once the project gets off the ground.

    Matt
     
  13. jmrmotorhead

    jmrmotorhead Junior Member

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    Initial search for replacement emblems has me worried...
    2010 TOYOTA PRIUS Parts - Toyota Parts Center - Call (800) 516-1455 for Genuine Toyota Parts and Accessories

    Wonder what the "w/ precrash" vs." w/o precrash"? Im thinking its the difference between the ones with radar assist cruise control?

    And for the rear:
    2010 Toyota Prius Parts - 2010 Toyota PriusReplacement Parts
    So it looks like 36$ for the front, and 25$ for the rears.

    Looks like the group buy will probably end up with people shipping their emblems to me to fit the lights, since 60 bucks for new emblems is pretty steep.
     
  14. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    What was explained to me by the stealership parts dept.

    w/precrash = Prius vehicles equipped with Advanced Technology package. The front emblem is different due to the radar device in the front bumper.

    w/o Precrash = Prius vehicles equipped without Advanced Technology package.
     
  15. jmrmotorhead

    jmrmotorhead Junior Member

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    Ok great, thanks! So the front illuminated emblem will be limited to those without the AT package.
     
  16. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    I concur.
     
  17. southernguy

    southernguy Junior Member

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    I like....definitely interested
     
  18. Whirlwind

    Whirlwind Well, it's not REAL!!!

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    It's very cool. Toyota should have had this as oem.
     
  19. jmrmotorhead

    jmrmotorhead Junior Member

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    Thanks! I agree, but then we couldn't do this cool mod...

    Matt
     
  20. speedydevon

    speedydevon Junior Member

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    I am interested!!! :-D