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Remove Flying Buttress Console

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by daevumshlebee, Nov 1, 2012.

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  1. daevumshlebee

    daevumshlebee New Member

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    Hello all,

    first post. my family all have prii, and i love them. I have a new job with a 64 mi round trip commute, so i'm very interested in also driving a prius. my parents have a gen 2, without that flying buttress console, and it's quite comfortable. my sister has a 2011 with that front center flying buttress console, and it doesn't give my right knee a whole lot of room to work with.

    i test drove a 2012 prius trim 2, and I loved it, other than the flying buttress console. i'm a pretty big guy, so being able to spread and be comfortable is pretty important, especially on long trips; my fiance lives 10 hours away at the moment, and I drive out there to visit fairly frequently, when I can. the mpgs on my current van are TERRIBLE, but i don't know how comfortable i'd be with my knee crammed up on that dang buttress thing for 10 hours.

    my dad looked into getting some professional modifications/alterations when he first got his prius; he found a mod shop that would move his entire driver seat back 4'' (for $2,000).

    now, i imagine that removing/altering the flying buttress console would be less intensive and invasive of an 'operation' than moving a seat, and i would hope it would be less than 2 grand.

    has anyone done any modifications to remove or alter this console? has anyone heard of any pro shops that will do this?
     
    #1 daevumshlebee, Nov 1, 2012
  2. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Before you spend all that money, rent a Prius and try the drive. I found I got used to the console design, and adapted to live -under- it.

    Do keep in mind the console houses the shift switch assembly, so that would have to be somehow remounted in a safe manner (re accident, airbags, etc).
     
    #2 David Beale, Nov 1, 2012
  3. daevumshlebee

    daevumshlebee New Member

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    thanks for the info. i didn't realize it was more than just a hunk of plastic; it would probably be a pretty intensive/invasive modification then.

    it is comfortable if i live -under- it; i have to kinda shift to the left in the seat, and my knee rests up against it further back and kind of under it. it's not uncomfortable, i'm just concerned it would be after a long haul.

    ill try to get on at least an hour plus road trip with my sister, and see how comfortable it is (she has the 2011, felt exactly the same in that as i did on my test drive, not uncomfortable, just felt a little too tall)

     
    #3 daevumshlebee, Nov 1, 2012
  4. Guswut

    Guswut New Member

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    Perhaps an unacceptable option, but also perhaps one you have not entertained yet: Have you looked into the Prius C? It does not have a massive center console.

    http://www.toyota.com/img/vehicles/2012/priusc/gallery/full/int_5.jpg

    I'm six feet one inch, and my right knee fit fairly well in the Prius C. Mind you, I purchased a full on Prius a few days ago and have already gotten used to the center console, so that is something to consider.
     
    #4 Guswut, Nov 1, 2012
  5. daevumshlebee

    daevumshlebee New Member

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    i did not realize that the other models didn't have that console. i'll take the c for a test drive.

    thank you

     
    #5 daevumshlebee, Nov 1, 2012
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    The center console is by far the biggest design fail of the Prius interior. And my sore right knee after a long drive... I swear Toyota must think everyone who drives a Prius is only 5 1/2 feet tall...

    The used Gen2 Prius I bought had it's center console yanked as soon as I got it home...

    You might want to consider the PriusV, which has the least intrusive, easiest to remove center console of the newer models. As for the regular Gen3 Prius they make an aftermarket push button shifter that you could remount on the dashboard.

    As for what a Gen2 is like without a console... It's awesome...

    I replaced the console with a pillow case that matches the upholstery and I use it for storing a blanket and spare clothing. I can also now stretch my right leg out into the passenger seat area on a long drive and the pillow configuration also creates a level soft surface between the two seats, which makes it a perfect fit for car camping when I move forward & fold seats down flat. It also makes handholding on a date way more comfortable/less awkward...
     
    #6 PriusCamper, Nov 1, 2012
  7. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    I'm in the minority and actually like the console. I'm 6' 0" and fits me fine.
     
    #7 mrstop, Nov 1, 2012
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  8. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Get married.
     
    #8 spiderman, Nov 1, 2012
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  9. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    ????
     
    #9 mrstop, Nov 1, 2012
  10. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    If he gets married to his fiance he won't have to drive 10 hours at a time... :)
     
    #10 spiderman, Nov 1, 2012
  11. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    FTFY.

    Just velcro a gel pad to the buttress where your knee contacts it.

    BTW, your dad got seriously take by that shop. He should have stop by some small welding shops for estimates. They would have fabb'ed up some brackets PDQ for probably less than $100.
     
    #11 fotomoto, Nov 1, 2012
  12. daevumshlebee

    daevumshlebee New Member

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    could you tell me more about removing the console?

     
    #12 daevumshlebee, Nov 2, 2012
  13. daevumshlebee

    daevumshlebee New Member

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    I'm aware it is way more intensive, if you see my later post where i state exactly that.

    and my dad did not get his seat moved, he just received that as the estimate and did not do that modification. he /would/ have 'seriously got take' though. (ftfy)

     
    #13 daevumshlebee, Nov 2, 2012
  14. daevumshlebee

    daevumshlebee New Member

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    can't wait for that...

     
    #14 daevumshlebee, Nov 2, 2012
  15. daevumshlebee

    daevumshlebee New Member

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    i actually just found the 'telescoping' steering adjustment, and it made it a lot more comfortable, gave my knee room on the inside when i brough the wheel closer to my body. the dealer did not know how to do this, but i borrowed my sisters 2011 prius to test for a day and an extended drive, and you just flip that switch and push or pull the wheel.
     
    #15 daevumshlebee, Nov 2, 2012
  16. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

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    I don't mind the bridge console and like the open storage area underneath.
     
    #16 car compulsive, Nov 2, 2012
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  17. HprDad

    HprDad Junior Member

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    FWIW, when I first saw the flying buttress in the Gen 3, it was a big turn off; I was hoping it would be removed by 2012 when I figured to be looking. I decided to simply overlook this, due to the overwhelming benefits of the rest of the car. Now that I'm driving a 2012, I really like the console. No discomfort even on all day drives, and the storage underneath is much more useful day-to-day than I would have predicted. Guess an old dog can learn new tricks!
     
    #17 HprDad, Nov 2, 2012
  18. southernguy

    southernguy Junior Member

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    Funny how we all like different things. The center console is what sold me on the car style wise.
     
    #18 southernguy, Nov 2, 2012
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    don't give up on the sawzall mod! :p
     
    #19 bisco, Nov 2, 2012
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  20. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    This is an excellent suggestion. The Prius v also gives you a bit more headroom, better visibility and much more storage space. It does so at the expense of fuel economy, but the interior does NOT include the flying bridge.

    The seat is not the same as the one in the regular Prius, and it may be worth investigating.
     
    #20 a priori, Nov 2, 2012
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