*MODIFICATION JOURNAL* I got my hands on the girlfriend's Prius ...here is what I did.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by ucsbwsr, Sep 23, 2014.

  1. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    105
    145
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Here are a couple pics with the lights on but hatch shut (but not sealed) to show the light output if the LEDs were mounted directly into the cargo area.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2010
    680
    161
    0
    Location:
    Gettysburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Awesome Job!
     
  3. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    105
    145
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
  4. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2012
    1,880
    710
    75
    Location:
    Carrollton, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    (y) So what does your GF think of it now?
     
  5. sidecar

    sidecar Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2010
    342
    44
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Im continually amazed at the difference spacers make
    the car looks great
     
    Daves09prius likes this.
  6. Daves09prius

    Daves09prius Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2010
    680
    161
    0
    Location:
    Gettysburg, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Sidecar, I'm in total agreement! I never thought the spacers would make ~that~ much of a difference, but they do!
    Thanks JustDidIt and ucsbwsr for trying them out! I would have never done it without your recommendations.

    I've had mine on for almost a month (about 3,200 miles) and no rubbing or any other issues. The car handles so much better now when turning on wet roads. The spacers are not just for looks, but for handling (safety) as well.

    Thanks again!:)
     
  7. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    105
    145
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Unflush wheels, fender gap, and amber reflectors are my sworn enemies; I am glad you eliminated one of them.

    Evan
     
    Daves09prius and Justdidit like this.
  8. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    105
    145
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Received some parts in the mail (Progress rear sway and a "Mike" brace), waiting on a front Corolla sway to arrive. Thanks to the info on this forum collecting the correct items was a breeze.
    This car may be painfully slow but that doesn't mean it doesn't deserve improved driving dynamics.

    More to come,
    Evan

    [​IMG]
     
    Daves09prius and Justdidit like this.
  9. scotrinaf

    scotrinaf Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2011
    37
    5
    0
    Location:
    Blountville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Can I bring you both of my Prius'? :) Awesome job on these mods... Hopefully my next house will have a garage so I can do more mods...
     
    Daves09prius likes this.
  10. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2012
    1,880
    710
    75
    Location:
    Carrollton, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    If you look at my thread where I updated my rear sway with the Progress Sway bar, I also upgraded the bolts. Not completely positive that it was necessary but I definitely like the idea it was "worth" it. :cool:
     
    Daves09prius likes this.
  11. ataylorracing

    ataylorracing ataylorracing

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2012
    171
    29
    5
    Location:
    Fishers, IN
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I used to sell wheel adapters to guys with older Mustangs, both 4 and 5 lug so they could put on the modern + offset rims to get an updated look. They looked great but were quite heavy. If I wasn't worried about mpg and only wanted to go for looks I'd put these rims on the wife's Prius.
    Mustang® Cobra 98 2005 Deep Dish Wheel
     
  12. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,417
    513
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Ok out of everything you did, I think the plasti-dip on the front lower grill made the biggest difference! I wish I had done that when I had my Gen2...
     
  13. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

    Joined:
    May 13, 2012
    2,170
    750
    0
    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    slap them parts on there today!!! the rear sway bar will really improve the handling. both are about 10 minute installs if you work slowly. and yes I would upgrade the bolts too (I used Benz control arm bolts, cut down to fit) easy job. huge improvement.
     
    Daves09prius likes this.
  14. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    105
    145
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Haha, sorry for the delay, I am not getting notifications like I used to from Priuschat, I will double check my settings and email spam.

    I will wait until my front sway arrives before the install. I am tempted to do it as I am a sucker for instant gratification but I want to install the sways and brace at the same time to give the most dramatic before and after scenario to observe.

    The gap between the front wheel and fender is killing me. I am tempted to buy a set of TRD springs to level out the body.


    Hard to argue against a clean 5 spoke design but personally I feel those are a bit sporty for the Prius with the 5 spokes, exposed hardware, and lip, the other thing I think about with 5 spoke wheels or other other thin/transparent designs is how you can see the exposed brakes, for better or for worse, on the Prius, worse. I would gravitate towards a design like the Vossen CV7, something classy, sporty, and a clean, I think it would fit well with the Prius' futuristic design, ideally something with a concave face to give some "ooomph." I believe stock touring is 16x6? Maybe 18x7 or 7.5 all around would do that trick! I can't imagine how much a heavy set of cast 18x7 wheels would hurt the mileage but I also can't imagine spending $3,000+ for forged or 3-piece wheels!

    Evan

    [​IMG]
     
  15. Justdidit

    Justdidit LVNPZEV

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2012
    1,880
    710
    75
    Location:
    Carrollton, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Vossen CV7 would look awesome!!.. but sadly yes, those heavy +20lb wheels do effect the mileage quite a bit. Meh.. it was worth it to me. :)
     
  16. okdonk

    okdonk Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2014
    29
    20
    0
    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
  17. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    105
    145
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I forgot to mentioned I snagged some Husky all-weather floor mats in black and a Weather Tech cargo liner in grey. The oem carpets were a little ragged and after having some all-weather mats in my wagon, I am a huge fan. Rear cargo liner is grey to help keep interior temps down with all the glass in the rear (I also got a great deal on it).

    The car will probably receive some tint in the near future to further assist in this.

    Evan

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    #97 ucsbwsr, Feb 16, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2015
  18. DenToyPri05

    DenToyPri05 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2015
    118
    24
    0
    Location:
    Denver, Co
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You fantastical mod nerd, you...
     
  19. Delta Flyer II

    Delta Flyer II Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2013
    547
    248
    69
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    IKR… Can I bring you mine too…
     
    Daves09prius likes this.
  20. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    105
    145
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    True! Every car has potential to be the best at it's intended use (or take it to a completely different place) through modification, expressing your personal style while doing so makes even more interesting for me.
     
    Daves09prius likes this.