In 6 months, I am trasfering to England. (And I'm taking the Prius with me!) The UK sells the Prius, but with some modifications. (Obviously, the steering wheel will be on the other side.) One of the things that I need that will make the car "legal" are side marker lights. (see Pic.) Does anyone know where I can get a set? Are they listed in the service manual? [Broken External Image]:http://toyota.co.uk/prius2003/sViewing/gal_imgs/i800/11.jpg
Someone at the last meet said you can get the Scion xB side markers lights and then cut/smooth/paint a hole, then hook up the light wiring - yourself.
You are also going to have to replace the headlights. Otherwise, you will be blinding all oncoming traffic while driving on the left side of the road.
Don't forget a rear fog light(s)! I have a thread about them in the international section. Never did install any though...
Thanks for the replies gentlemen. I found a couple of resources that sell side marker lights for the Scion, but they look like they require a wiring harness. I was also looking at the low-profile lights that they use for motorcycle farings. It mounts flush and only requires a 1/4" hole for the wires. Still not sure which way to go. As for the headlights, I knew about that one. A dealership in England said that they would just pull the US spec bulbs out and put the Brit spec ones in. Piece of cake. As for the rear fog light....not too sure on that one. I know that when I was there in '92 we needed one, but all of the pictures I see of brittish Prius' do not have one installed. I wonder how difficult it would be to have the forward fog lights installed? (Mine didn't come with them.) Thanks again.
They do have it installed. They housing looks almost exactly like ours except that theirs is a little redder while ours is clearer.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bugssmith\";p=\"104130)</div> The front headlights will need the whole housing changed, not just the bulb. The rear-fog light will also require this, perhaps for both sides, I don't know if the UK madates one or two rear fogs. The front fogs, should be too hard to install. Good Luck! Importing a modern car is a "Roya£ pain in the a$$!!"
Why don't I just sell and get a new one over there? I thought about it, however: 1. My current Prius is 4 months old. 2. It's a package #5. Cost about $26K-ish. 3. Base model Prius in England costs 17,995 pounds. (Equivalent to $33,650.65. That's why. Spend $33, 650 for new, or $250 to convert. Hmmmmmm.....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bugssmith\";p=\"104239)</div> If that's all it costs to convert your Prius to UK specs, I'll buy you a pint! :mrgreen:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bugssmith\";p=\"104239)</div> I surmise it will cost you at least ten times that. By the way, did you factor in the cost of shipping the car, import duties and other taxes as well as the cost of certifying that it meets EU specifications?
It could be $6 or $7k and he'd still come out ahead. I personally wouldn't go through all the trouble, but if you're looking at it from a dollars and sense (yes, spelled that way on purpose) standpoint, importing it is a good decision.
Danny, I don't know how long bugssmith intends to reside in the UK. If he (or she) intends to come back to the US with the car, the cost of shipping it back must to be factored in. If the move to Great Britain is permanent, then the resale value of a left-hand drive car in a land of right-hand drive cars is to be considered in the equation. All that has to be figured even before taking into account whether the US warranty will be honored over there and if US specific parts are readily available, should the car need repairs.
I know the side mirror signals are cool, but I ordered some Hella LED side markers from Germany that I've been meaning to install. Naturally, you need to make holes in the fenders ;^). Here's a link (I got the 2PS 008 138-821): Hella SML
Wow, I really didn't expect this kind of response from a simple "Side Marker Light" question. Thanks for caring, guys. Really. To clarify a few things. I am an Aircraft Hydraulics Systems Mechanic in the US Air Force. I am being transferred to England this winter. The government is covering the bill to ship my Prius overseas. I am only on a three year controlled tour, so I am bringing the car back to the US. (Once again, for free.) I was stationed in England before, back in 1992. I brought my Nissan Pickup with me. All it required was some fog lights and new headlights. I think it cost about $100 to convert. The (thorough) MOT inspection is only required for vehicles that are older than 3 years old. For the car to conform to brit specs it requires a fog light in the rear (questionable), side turn signals, and headlights that dip to the left (instead of right). As for emissions...it's a Prius. Bring it on! I also talked to Toyota. Since I am in the military, my warranty will still be good. It will be retroactive, but it will still be good. (I pay for the service and then make a claim with toyota. They reimburse.) Once again, thanks for all the help guys. You'll be hearing updates on the situation. George R. Smith, TSgt, USAF McGuire AFB, NJ
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bugssmith\";p=\"104130)</div> The US Prius has a full-width tail-light in its rear light assembly. European ones have this space split in two - the inner half has the fog light, the outer the tail light. They're not legally required. Another subtle distinction you may note in your photo is that we don't have the orange and red side reflectors built into our light assemblies. You can keep yours in though.
Let me know how difficult they are to install and maybe a pic. I looked at the link, I kinda like the arrow shaped one. Thanks <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cahaverl\";p=\"104429)</div>
