Prius Off-road

High lift jack, LOL. CV joint angles would be extreme and probably need to be changed with each oil change or sooner. Very little articulation/flex but great approach and departure angles.. Power would be sucked up by the large diameter heavy rotating wheels and tires. Definitely a conversation starter.

I'll stick with my 4Runner TEP.

 

We've done a lot more than just THINK about it! Everything was designed to keep cv axle, ball joint, and tie rod angles within an acceptable tolerance. We put over 60k miles of abuse on our original 2013 prototype platform and are still on original EVERYTHING including battery and brake pads at 220k miles (with the exception of the struts and shocks which we replaced when we installed the kit 60k miles ago.) With just the 1.5" lift we aren't seeing any noticeable reduction in mpg and a MASSIVE increase in drivability. No more scraping bumper on driveway approaches, parking curbs, speed bumps, etc. With a 215/70R15 all season tires the MPG get reduced by about 5-7% but its well worth it in our book. Hard to find something comparable that still gets 43-45mpg.
Our 2019 AWD-e is an absolute blast to drive with the lift and 205/75R15 General Grabber AT2 tires. Once again with just the lift we saw no reduction in MPG and minimal power reduction. With how large and aggressive the tires are and how soft the rubber compound is it takes its toll on MPG though, bewteen 10-15%. We will most likely swap out to a less aggressive LRR all season tire in a 215/70R15 after winter to get those numbers back up but the combination of the lift, tire, and awd is incredible, especially in snow.

 

Awesome. On my 2017 Prime, I ran for 63K miles on a set of 205/65R15XL 99T Michelin X-Ice 3 snows that I installed when the car had 700 miles on it. I bought an extra set of wheels to swap summer/winter tires twice a year. But the snows handled amazingly even in Arizona well over 100 degrees out while driving through Salt River Canyon like Mario Andretti, so I kept them on year-round. That they lasted 63K miles was unexpected, but the tires are 10 load ranges above stock, they're expecting the weight of a minivan, and I run them at 50psi, so they barely feel the weight of the car on them. The 6.5mm lift from tire size (plus quite a bit more from 50psi inflation) made a noticeable difference in where I could go without trashing the car's body. I drove it up to some powerlines on a rocky Jeep trail high above Arco, Idaho, for instance. I wouldn't advise that for everyone, but the car and I came out of it unscathed.

When their tread was finally gone, I decided to try 205/70R15 X-Ice3. A guy with an old CR-V was moving from Maine to San Diego, so for the first time in my life, I bought used tires. $100 tires for $40ea. He had one winter on them, they were in great shape. So the tire lift went from 6.5mm to now 16.75mm. The taller sidewalls do take away the perfect handling, but they're still fine and corner well, just a little more body roll and some squirming in strong crosswinds.

I'm considering a small lift, now that I'm planning to do some camping in the Prime, out west. Angle of approach is not the Prime's strong suit, but just raising it a little has made a big difference in where I can go and what I can do.

 

This thread is of great interest to me, living where I do and going where I go. I too use mine for getting to places to ride. The one thing about the Prime I really didn't like is it's lesser ground clearance, my '13 PIP is bad enough on rough roads.

I just bought another set of Ice X's for my '13 PIP, after getting 47 K miles out of the first set. Left on year round, all 4 at 45 psi, and rotated every 5 K miles. The tire shop remarked on the very even wear.

I am pretty sure I am buying a '19 Prime today, and it HAS X's on it already! 9 K miles.

 

That's not bad, especially when I assume yours were the stock 195/65 size, while mine were both oversize and XL rated.

I rotate my tires only once per set, at the point where I guess is halfway to their being worn out. If an alignment problem is causing odd wear, I'd rather find it sooner rather than later. While rotating (front to back only, these are directional tires than can't be swapped left/right) spreads the problem across two tires, it also hides the problem for twice as long before you can notice it and diagnose it. You have to do a certain amount of bad stuff to a tire before noticing it. I'd rather do that to one tire than two, plus find the problem sooner. Having said that, I've had a 2001, 2005, and now the 2017 Prime, and never had uneven tire wear, an alignment problem, or even an alignment performed. after putting 80K on each of those, with the 2005 being the only one bought used, at 151K.

A second reason I stopped rotating tires long ago, is that on some cars, the brake rotor's exact center of rotation relative to the brake pads, is determined partially by where it's at when you tighten the lug nuts, not being perfectly located by the wheel bearing/hub assembly. I had a GM minivan where even just loosening the lug nuts, jiggling the wheel around around and tightening it back up, it would make the brake pads scrape a different track into the rotor. Extra noise and wear for hundreds of miles. So I learned to leave well enough alone, and only rotate once so that all 4 tires wore out at the same time.

 

Can you post a closer pic of the sidewall of the AT2 on your prime.
How's it handle on the freeway?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

has anyone ran 215/60r17? I’m trying to decide if I should drop from 17 wheels to 15 after the lift when I get new tires (when the ones I have wear out). I like the stock wheel and don’t really want to buy new wheels but I also do want to bash my rims.

 

I’m new, I’m excited to be here. Still figuring this feed out. Anyway, I have 2016 Prius 4 touring. I just ordered the Prius Off-road lift and will be installing it this weekend. I’m going to run the OEM 215/45s on the stock 17 inch wheel. I want to go bigger on my next set of tires. My question is:

A.Keep the stock 17s and go 215/60
Or
B. Get 15s and get 215/70

They will be all seasons either way to keep the efficiency up. Does anyone have any advice?

 

I ordered it off their shopify site and used the coupon code: priuschat for 5% off. Just a headsup to others looking. It didn't make any difference to the mpg when I used stock tires. If you want to get better handling go for bigger threading and smaller sidewall.. vs bigger sidewall. That's just my person opinion.

 

I'd sell that Prius to Carvana and search out a Rav4 Prime at MSRP.
Inflated used Prius price, plus $7500 federal tax credit = not a bad trade.

 

That’s actually exactly what I am doing!

 

Super hard to get a hold of though! I am being told they will not be built for another 5 months and I am on the waiting list.

 

If you put in some work, you might find one sooner (and be willing to drive/fly to get it). Some dealers have lists, so sell to whoever shows up first after it arrives, and then others mark them up by $5k or more and go for the feeding frenzy.
Official Prices Paid: Rav4 Prime | Page 24 | Toyota RAV4 Forums
browse older posts to get an idea of where to buy for MSRP

 

I’m waiting for the 2022 models which should begin production between November and December of this year. There were only 5,000 or so 2021 and they are all marked up or spoken for. I had the opportunity to get one that was already built but it did not have everything I wanted and it was an LE.

 

It would still end up costing me more then 20k after all is said and done, no? What numbers are you guys seeing?

 

Here in NE, I have no problem finding 21 Rav4Prime now. No markup, but most likely the dealer will not negotiate to go below MSRP. But even without Toyota rebates, if you can get a full $7500 tax credit, the price can be low $30s on SE. It is now harder to find Prius Prime on the dealer's lot.

 

It really depends on the package you get. I have requested my "ideal" prime xse but there is no guarantee I will get it. I was asked to choose my top 3 color choices, yikes. I am a bit disappointed that the only interior color option is black. I love the beige but that is only offered in the hybrid. I was told the xse would be easier to get because more people want the LE. But, now I am being told I am further down on the waiting list for the xse than for the LE???? Idk. But yes, you are correct that it will cost at least 20k out of pocket even after trade ins and federal rebates. This is my reasoning though:

Hybrid: fully loaded, around 45-47k

Prime fully load: around 51 K but -7500 = 45k ish

You get over 80 hp more, better awd, 42 ev range and its waaayyyy faster. Seems to be to be more off road capable that the TRD. Which has no skids plates btw, what???

Anyway, If I'm going to do it, I'm going all the way haha. I still haven't seen one in person. I can't even find a hybrid to test drive. I would be content continuing my offroad prius project but this option makes so much sense. I will not pay above msrp though. I have never nought a brand new car in my life and the only reason I would is for the tax credit.

 

Of course it will cost quite a bit - but you need to keep in mind future resale value. If you can upgrade from a Prius that is currently at its peak used price, into a Rav4 Prime and utilize a $7500 tax credit - its likely you'll have positive net equity for a year or two of ownership. Much like Prius Primes. It really is dependent upon future resale - if you're an owner that "keeps their car forever", a Rav4 hybrid LE would likely be more economical to own. Shorter term, though, the tax credits usually make a Prime the better call.

You lost me at fully loaded - lol.
I wish my Rav didn't have the stupid moonroof and power rear gate package. I want "basic", as to me that is the best value. You get the same powertrain as the vehicle that costs 25% more, plus 18" (I'd rather have 17s) vs 19" wheels - wheels over 17" are just for show and make tires cost more and more likely to get damaged and/or wear out faster! Ugh. Annoying.
My R4P is an SE, wife's Prius Prime is an LE

 

I wish you could get vented seats in the LE. I live in Arizona so that’s kind of a biggie for us. I would be fine with an LE too. I think the directional headlights is a silly feature that would be expensive to repair if it breaks. I too like simple.