I just picked up a 2012, I’m less than impressed by the center console. When I try to rest my elbow on the armrest, it ends up in the cup holder, super uncomfortable. I really preferred the armrest console in the 2010 I had. I’m planing to swap my 2012 console to one from a 10-11 car. What exactly do I need to do the swap? It looks like everything from the front cup holder back might need to be swapped. Any input would be great, thanks in advance.
Not sure of the difference, but the 2010 comes off in one piece. If the 2012 is the same way, should be a simple and straight forward swap.
I've always wanted to rebuild the Gen3 dash so it looks more like a Gen2 dash and remove the center console entirely. It's claustrophobic inducing... I did find one car modification person in Europe who did this. It looks way cleaner and way more comfortable:
How do you remove the center console? When I search Google, it sends me here. When I search here, people are like, "... yad, yada, yada, then remove the center console (a quick Google search will bring up directions) yada, yada, yada... " Hopefully, you see my dilemma.
Ever since I was a little kid who got in trouble for taking stuff apart It's always been about finding all the screws and fasteners and undoing them and then hoping you can put it all back together before mom gets home from work.
With interiors, Toyota sometimes goes to some lengths to make the fasteners not so easy to find. At least the ones you have to find first. Typically once you find those, parts start coming off in order and revealing what you need to see next. The "rear console box assembly" (which is what you search for in the Repair Manual to find the pictures and steps) isn't too bad a job. Four bolts beneath its little bottom carpet, and one hidden behind a front upper trim piece just ahead of the removable cup holder that's under the armrest. Then the whole box pulls rearward and you can unplug the wiring to it. That leaves the "flying bridge" with the shifter, etc., hanging there as a bridge to nowhere. All those pieces also have removal steps and pictures in the manual, but you may be dismayed at how many pieces of the instrument panel are involved as prerequisite steps. Toyota Service Information and Where To Find It | PriusChat
Flying bridge delete is the first thing I'm doing when I one day get a Gen 3... Then add a Gen4 engine and Nexcell Lithium pack and you'll be rolling into the 2030's with the last of reliable hybrid cars still on the road. Here's a photo of that idea, but I'd also buy push button gear shifter mod and mount it on the dash somewhere for even more space, as well as redo upholstery so it looks professional. (photo from: 3rd Gen 2010 - Removed flying buttress center console | PriusChat _
Thanks! And that's fine. I just needed the "rear console box assembly" out of the way so that I have more room for my hammock. Recovering the aux port module was NP, but the 12v is another story. I may just leave it and pick up a replacement at Walmart, unless there's another one of those trim pieces, hiding a most necessary, but easily removable bolt again :: raised eyebrow ::
I think I would try to retrofit a Prius v setup. It is pretty nice. Just buy a v to start with and put the lithium and gen4 engine in it. Rides better and more room.
