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Alterations to accelerator pedal

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by SnoozinJTD, Sep 25, 2017.

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  1. SnoozinJTD

    SnoozinJTD Junior Member

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    While switching from a 2006 Toyota Matrix to my 213 Prius v, and driving a new Toyota Corolla rental, I've noticed the gas pedals now how a triangular wedge on the back.

    My boyfriend is paralyzed from the his lower rib margin down, and uses manual hand controls to drive my car. With this plastic wedge on the gas pedal, the hand controls do not have a flat surface to clamp onto.

    Is there a "simple" way to remove the gas pedal so that I can use a dremel or other tool to remove the wedge on the back and create a flat surface?

    Does anyone have advice/experience removing the gas pedal to replace it?

    Thank you in advance!

    (Photos for reference)

    Wedge on underside of pedal
    IMG_7111.JPG

    Example of how hand controls screw onto pedals
    IMG_7113.JPG
     
    #1 SnoozinJTD, Sep 25, 2017
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  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Have you tried contacting Toyota corporate? I know they have offered some vehicles for those with disabilities. They would best know about modifications.
    I found an old thread here but it referenced a file that cannot be accessed now.
     
    #2 Prodigyplace, Sep 25, 2017
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  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    I cannot find them now but Toyota produced a couple of videos showing modifications to the Gen 4 Prius for wheelchair bound people.
     
    #3 Prodigyplace, Sep 25, 2017
  4. SnoozinJTD

    SnoozinJTD Junior Member

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    Thank you for the suggestion. I did find posts about adding blocks to the pedals for drivers who are shorter in stature, and about adding custom plates.

    Fortunately we don't require any other accessibility modifations aside from a pedal his hand controls can temporarily screw on to. He transfers in and out of his chair fine and prefers simple alterations to more permanent ones. He's been paralyzed for 11yrs so he's very confident and adaptable. He's had his own cars in the past and has been able to experiment with mods.
     
    #4 SnoozinJTD, Sep 25, 2017
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  5. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    The user here @Pedal Logic makes an electronic device that connects to the accelerator connector to improve efficiency. He may have some insights on how to modify the pedal.
     
    #5 Prodigyplace, Sep 25, 2017
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  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    The pedal is held to the firewall by 2 10 mm bolts and a wire harness connects the pedal electronics.

    Since the computer uses the pedal travel signal, I would be careful in modifying the back piece. Instead of modifying the pedal, why not modify the backing plate that connects the hand controls?
     
    #6 Raytheeagle, Sep 25, 2017
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  7. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    An alternative is a v-shaped rear (to clear the strengthening/travel limiting ridge) pedal hold-down bracket.
     
    #7 Air_Boss, Sep 25, 2017
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  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Yeah. I wondered if the V shape was to limit the total pedal travel, hitting the floor instead of stressing the pedal mechanism..
     
    #8 Prodigyplace, Sep 25, 2017
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  9. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    The pedal pad appears to extend above the back "triangle".
    Could the bracket be attached at the top of the pedal, with longer bolts maybe ??

    Then.....a machine shop probably could make a new back plate with a bend in it to go around the triangle.

    I too would be a bit reluctant to try and detach the pedal.
     
    #9 Sam Spade, Sep 25, 2017
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Probably several reasons for the design ;).
     
    #10 Raytheeagle, Sep 25, 2017
  11. SnoozinJTD

    SnoozinJTD Junior Member

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    We don't want to do anything too drastic to the car since I am the primary driver. We use his hand controls because they allow anyone to drive the car interchangeably.

    I'm just not sure why all pedals in my past Toyotas were straight and flat but this pedal, and the one in the corolla rental we used, has the big wedge. I never had any issues with past models.

    We tried clamping his hand controls above, on the neck of the pedal, but there isn't enough grip and they just slide right up.

    Sam: interesting idea about making the plate into a V shape, but then that would add even more of a thickness between the pedal and the floor in addition to the triangle.

    I was hoping to just swap the pedal with another Toyota pedal that is the traditional shape.

    Thank you for the ideas, we are going to keep brainstorming. Perhaps we can add another projection behind the wedge that can create a bordered gap that the hand control can fit into.

    IMG_7124.JPG

    Red line: carve away a recess behind the wedge that will not affect the overall height.

    Blue: create a "catch" that will prevent the hand controls from sliding up - using some bolts, plastic, and/or JB weld, that will not extend to the point of hitting the floor etc..

    (Sorry for the sketch quality, it's the best I could manage on my phone ha!)
     
    #11 SnoozinJTD, Sep 25, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2017
  12. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    I wouldn't think that an extra 1/4 inch or so would make any practical difference.
    How often do you figure that you slam the gas pedal all the way to the floor ??
     
    #12 Sam Spade, Sep 25, 2017
  13. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    The pedal back sinks into the rug anyway...
     
    #13 Air_Boss, Sep 25, 2017
  14. Pedal Logic

    Pedal Logic Active Member

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    Hi SnoozinJTD,

    Toyota currently uses two types of pedal, both of which incorporate the plastic wedge you pointed out. Looking at that feature with fresh eyes, I think @Prodigyplace is right—it's primary purpose is to limit the range of motion.

    It looks possible to drill or dremel a thin slot in the wedge just large enough to accommodate the lower bracket while preserving the shape and function of the wedge as a whole. What do you think?

    Marc
     
    #14 Pedal Logic, Sep 26, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2017
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  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Thank you for helping out here. I know you build a device that electrically plugs into the accelerator so I was hoping you had some design insight to help here.

    It looks like you moved your website to SmartPedal | SmartPedal
     
    #15 Prodigyplace, Sep 26, 2017
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  16. Pedal Logic

    Pedal Logic Active Member

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    Actually, we discussed how to engineer a potential software solution to help with the problem last night—at least a change that would enable the V-bracket idea to work by re-mapping the pedal signal to a more limited pedal range. The challenge with that approach is that it would break some of our key safety measures, so we decided that it was not something we could do.

    Marc
     
    #16 Pedal Logic, Sep 26, 2017
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  17. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    This is an example of a vendor who goes above & beyond in their (non-)customer support!
     
    #17 Prodigyplace, Sep 26, 2017
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  18. RandZsports

    RandZsports Junior Member

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    Hi SnoozinJTD,
    I took a look at my car’s pedal, and I can see how its causing some troubles for you!

    If you send me a couple of pictures of the hand control, specifically of the attachment bracket with a ruler nearby so I can see the hole spacing, I would enjoy designing a component help attach it. I have an idea for how to properly clamp onto the pedal, but I would need to make sure it interfaces properly with your hand controls.

    If you end up liking the design, I can mail it off to you or post it so you can make it yourself :)
     
    #18 RandZsports, Sep 26, 2017
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  19. SnoozinJTD

    SnoozinJTD Junior Member

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    @Pedal Logic & @RandZsports thank you both so very much for your assistance and time with this. I'll make sure to take a few different photos momentarily.
     
    #19 SnoozinJTD, Sep 28, 2017
  20. SnoozinJTD

    SnoozinJTD Junior Member

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    These first photos show the mechanics of the hand controls. They are simple aluminum rods with adjustable length. The bottoms are simply plates, bolts, & wingnuts. The driver used the vertical rod (passes freely through a hole in the horizontal rod) on the right with their thumb to apply pressure and press on the gas pedal, and the palm of their hand to push down on the horizontal rod that applies pressure to the break.

    The next post I'll show how the hand controls attach to the pedals.

    IMG_7170.JPG IMG_7171.JPG IMG_7172.JPG IMG_7173.JPG IMG_7175.JPG IMG_7176.JPG

    IMG_7184.JPG

    IMG_7185.JPG
     
    #20 SnoozinJTD, Sep 28, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2017
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