SPARE TIRE MOD FOR LE FWD model using factory foam

SPARE TIRE MOD FOR LE FWD model using factory foam (does not apply to other trims):

1) The LE's trunk floor is lower than the others so are the thinner styrofoam platforms unlike other trims where you can just cut a round hole to fit the spare. You will need to add some height around 2.8-3" at various spots to make it level with the spare tire.

2) Purchase factory spare tire wheel & tightening bolt(carrier) + 145/90/16" spare tire. You will need to put a piece or 2 of 2x4 below the tire at the very end to make the tire level front& back so that the tightening bolt can make an even contact. This is very important; I repeat, it's very important to tie down the spare tire securely, because you don't want it to hit the electrical wires & connections behind the rear seats or have it thrown at the passengers/driver in a serious accident. I wish the bolt is shorter so I can mount the spare upside down which also make it more secure.

3) I was able to find a used jack & tool kit from a used Lexus ES330 for $25 and tested it.

3) Cut a big round hole to fit the spare tire. I used a filet knife which works great without making debris. Note that the spare tire will stick out about 2.9" above the styrofoam.

4) Bought some 2.9"x2"x6" foam blocks from Walmart($2/ea) which is the perfect height without too much modification and glue them at various places using a hot glue gun. I also modified the jack tool kit to fit into my car by cutting a notch at the corners.










I noticed 2 advantage of doing this mod vs getting the factory conversion kit: (a)Because I am using the original foams, those black plastic fastener pins can still pin the foams to the car tight vs if you order the conversion kit from the dealer, those plastic pins would not reach the holes so they are just loose. (b)the trunk floor is about 1.5" deeper than the factory conversion kit, judging from the pictures of the other member's post. Overall, It works well and for very little money.

I want to thank everyone especially Hammersmith for his posting of the very useful thread, and here is my contribution & sharing and hope other people can benefit from it. I decided to create a separate thread specifically for the LE model because that thread is 18 pages long with 300+ replies and it included many different applications for different trims and it's very hard to sort things out and remember all. God Bless!

 

Actually, I can tighten it real good and the recess in the hub makes the hub sits pretty secure. But because the bolt attached to the plastic knob is long but skinny I just wish that it's thicker/bigger.

 

3) I noticed the 3rd advantage: I believe the spare tire will also make your car quieter because the Prius has very few sound deadener but the spare tire when tightened to the bare metal trunk-well floor actually creates a sound deadening effect.

I also applied the sound matt to the bare rear doors when I changed the speakers, I will do the front doors next.