Easy mod thread

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by darelldd, Mar 30, 2006.

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  1. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    OK, now that I have your attention - I didn't mean to be rude about the "cheap" part. You won't find anybody who squeezes a penny tighter than I do! And "unskilled?" You know who you are... :)

    I wanted to start a thread to collect a bunch of modifications that people with limited tools, money, resources and/or skills can accomplish. I know that many of the mods presented on this forum are way over the heads of many drivers who just sit there and shake their heads at us crazy folks who tear our cars apart at the drop of a hat. NOTHING WRONG with that! Maybe this thread will give you some ideas, and allow you to accomplish a few improvements that'll make your car even more fun to own and drive.
    I'll start and hope others can add their own.

    1. First up... Rear Wiper Lift. I just did this one today, and have no idea if I'm the first one to discover this little mod... but I can tell you that I found it for myself after getting frustrated that the rear wiper would not stand off the glass by itself. By nipping one piece of plastic, you can pull the rear wiper all the way back, and have it stay there! Zero cost, and about 10 minutes total time.
    Rear Wiper Lift.

    2. Another free and easy one: Removing wheel trim rings.
    Trim Ring Removal.

    3. Disable reverse beeper. Totally free, and you don't get dirty.

    4. Smart Entry Program. Another free and clean one.

    And if this gets you excited, you can also click on the "Prius Pages" link in my sig, and then choose "mods" at the top to give you some other ideas.
     
    #1 darelldd, Mar 30, 2006
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    tis a good idea. Don't forget the mirror mod.

    If your automatic dimming mirror isn't dimmed enough or doesn't respond as quickly as it should, try the following:

    1) rotate the mirror 180° so it's upside down. This way, the sensor facing backwards will be higher up and the rear spoiler won't block out the headlight beam that's heading towards the sensor

    2) place a small piece of tape at the sensor on the mirror facing FORWARD.

    http://john1701a.com/prius/photos/Prius_El...-Mirror_Mod.jpg
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Mar 30, 2006
  3. RunninDover

    RunninDover New Member

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    For those w/ the JBL 9-speaker system -- enhance the sound quality (stereo separation, etc.) instantly by disconnecting the center speaker.

    It's in the dash, behind the MFD. Gently priup (er... pry up) the speaker cover, starting with the side closest to the MFD screen. Then lift out the speaker the pull apart the connector. Push the speaker and wires back in and pop the speaker cover back into place. Easy task; noticable sound improvement.
     
    #3 RunninDover, Mar 31, 2006
  4. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RunninDover @ Mar 31 2006, 09:15 AM) [snapback]232982[/snapback]</div>
    Hmmm. New one on me! Maybe they were expecting us to watch movies in DD 5.1?
     
    #4 darelldd, Mar 31, 2006
  5. keydiver

    keydiver New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Mar 30 2006, 01:10 PM) [snapback]232439[/snapback]</div>
    Thanks Darell! I've been removing that piece everytime I wash the car, so I could get to the whole window, never realizing/thinking about how easy it was to modify it! B)
     
    #5 keydiver, Mar 31, 2006
  6. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(keydiver @ Mar 31 2006, 09:46 AM) [snapback]233000[/snapback]</div>
    Amazed the hell out of me too. That tab was obviously put there on *purpose*. I'm still trying to figure out why! Are they worried about the arm flying up at speed or something? Anyway - I'm glad it helped somebody. I probably should have posted it as its own thread since I think it might just get lost here. I know some folks spend $80 to replace the arm just so they can have this feature!
     
    #6 darelldd, Mar 31, 2006
  7. Old Marine

    Old Marine Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Mar 30 2006, 12:10 PM) [snapback]232439[/snapback]</div>
     
    #7 Old Marine, Apr 3, 2006
  8. MarinJohn

    MarinJohn Senior Member

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    Not free but each less than $100 and easy are
    mudflaps
    rain/heat window overhang thingies. BTW I used the ones from Canada Toyota which sticky tape on and they have been perfect for almost 3 years. My neighbor used a different model which installs inside the window track (no tape) and they keep coming undone so buyer beware) I did mine myself and she had hers installed by Toyota service dept.
     
    #8 MarinJohn, Apr 3, 2006
  9. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    I wonder if there's a simple (and free) way to fix it so when the window control lock is pressed, the driver's controls still works. I haven't opened that yet, but maybe there's a wire that needs to be disconnected.

    Great suggestions, BTW.
     
    #9 aaf709, Apr 3, 2006
  10. benighted

    benighted New Member

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    Don't forget the "One-handed independant fog-light diode mod" (One hand is all that will fit up there if you don't take anything apart) Ok, so maybe its not that easy but at least its cheap.
     
    #10 benighted, Apr 3, 2006
  11. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(benighted @ Apr 3 2006, 01:41 PM) [snapback]234288[/snapback]</div>
    Yeah, as soon as you start cutting wires, I remove it from the "easy list." But you're right about the cost!

    Here's my fog-light-only mod page for those interested: http://www.darelldd.com/ev/prius_fog_lights.htm



    (note: most instructions and pictures borrowed from elsewhere, but changed mildly to describe how I did it).
     
    #11 darelldd, Apr 3, 2006
  12. 200Volts

    200Volts Member

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    How about the move the front air "dams" to the front bumper mod?
    Remove, drill one hole, bolt directly below fog lights.
    Maybe it helps air flow, maybe not, but at least you tried....lol

    How about the DDO mod for dynamic air braking for left turns?
    (DDO=Driver door open)

    sorry, it's been a long week....
     
    #12 200Volts, Apr 3, 2006
  13. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(200Volts @ Apr 3 2006, 04:09 PM) [snapback]234380[/snapback]</div>
    What's the jurry say on this one, anyway? I'd only heard of it in passing. I can't believe that Toyota would overlook something as simple as THAT!

    I can go both ways by having my dog hang out the proper side.
     
    #13 darelldd, Apr 3, 2006
  14. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    gee Darell's whole list I did to the car 2 years ago.
     
    #14 Frank Hudon, Apr 3, 2006
  15. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frank Hudon @ Apr 3 2006, 06:30 PM) [snapback]234447[/snapback]</div>
    My whole list? Great! I've had my car for less than seven weeks, so I'm still pretty excited about setting it up the way I want. I'd love to see how you managed with the LED interior lighting. That's still giving me some headaches. Or do you mean the list of three "easy" items that I posted here? Tough to decipher your point from the cryptic post. MY point was to show that there are some simple things people can do to further their enjoyment of the Prius without much effort.

    Did you share all your mods? Got pictures? Instructions? Sure would have saved me a lot of time and effort! Or was this just a comment on how boring my mods are? :thinking: Sorry to have wasted your time if that is the case.
     
    #15 darelldd, Apr 3, 2006
  16. seasalsa

    seasalsa Active Member

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    My favorite Easy Mod was having my OEM Tires Siped. There have been lots of complaints about the OEM Integrities on this site. I never had any problem with them in either rain or snow but when after 34,000 miles I replaced them with another set of new car takeoffs that I bought here on Priuschat, I had them siped. The cost was about $12 per tire and it really made a noticeable difference. The ride is much better even when inflated to 42/40 and the traction is much improved. The following quote explains the process and gives some of the benefits.

    “Looking to improve your traction on snow, ice or in wet weather? Consider tire siping - a process that cuts tiny slits across the tread of tires.

    Siping can be performed on new tires or on used tires with at least 50% of the original tread left.

    The results are similar in performance to studding your tires.

    Siping improves the traction of all-season or multipurpose tires.

    With siping, you will also enjoy improved braking and acceleration, extended tire life and a softer ride.â€
     
    #16 seasalsa, Apr 3, 2006
  17. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 3 2006, 06:49 PM) [snapback]234453[/snapback]</div>
    the 4 on the origional post. I've done a few more but those were easy, the Rock Catcher for the lower grill is an important one but not free, and it saves buying a new rad assy when the A/C condenser gets holed. As for the fogs they're now disconnected as there useless, wiener lights is what they are refered to. She also took out the rear floor as the back doesn't hold very much when it's in. I did a liscense plate hatch closer, cost 0$ as the inside hand hold was bothering the arthritis in her wrist. Important is putting Never Seize on the spark plugs because if you don't, come time to change them you will wreck the cylinder head by stripping the threads or worse breaking the spark plug off in the head. Sealing the ignition coils to the cam cover and the coils so no chance of water getting in there.
     
    #17 Frank Hudon, Apr 4, 2006
  18. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frank Hudon @ Apr 4 2006, 05:14 PM) [snapback]234979[/snapback]</div>
    Not familiar with this one Any URL's to share?

    Only useless until they're upgraded to HID. I'm curious though - why bother diconnecting them vs the REALLY easy mod of just leaving them off?
     
    #18 darelldd, Apr 4, 2006
  19. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    there is no URL for the rock catcher as I made it myself. two layer expanded aluminum 3/8" apart mounted in behind the grill. The fogs are disconnected as I hate people who leave their fogs on in day light. Most of them shining anywhere but some usefull place so no chance of that happening.
     
    #19 Frank Hudon, Apr 4, 2006
  20. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frank Hudon @ Apr 4 2006, 06:49 PM) [snapback]235009[/snapback]</div>
    Well, heck. I have plenty of URLs that point to stuff that I made myself. If you have pictures, I'd be happy to host them for you on your own page! I am quite curious as to what this thing looks like!

    Ah, well. To each his own. As DRL's become the norm, I find it hard to hate anybody who chooses to leave their headlights on for safety. The Prius fogs can't be re-aimed as far as I can tell, so they should always be pointed in the right direction (am I correct on that? - I haven't looked it up, though I've fooled a bit with the fixtures) - they just need more photons to make them worthwile. Though this does not address the "leaving them on" issue that you have, of course.

    OK... but back to the easy mods. Keep them coming. I thought we'd be flooded with them here...
     
    #20 darelldd, Apr 5, 2006
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