Rear bumper tab reinforcement bracket

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by HKz, Apr 19, 2024.

  1. HKz

    HKz Junior Member

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    Hi folks,

    Still getting around to installing a replacement blend door servo with my other thread but in the meantime, I got one of those metal brackets to fix our rear bumper which for the past couple years had some ripped tabs since some a-hole hit us while parked and didn't leave any insurance info -.-

    Very easy to install, rear bumper removal is a cakewalk and the pieces do a great job with making fitment virtually perfect again. I notice a ton of 3rd gen Prius around with sagging rear bumpers and this seems to be a good fix. Anyone with basic fabrication skills could easily duplicate the results themselves without paying $15 on ebay like I did.

    Screenshot_20240418_221029_eBay.jpg 20240405_132635_resized.jpg 20220528_114418_resized (1).jpg
    After:
    20240418_160211.jpg 20240418_160220.jpg 20240418_160233.jpg
     
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  2. Raceteker

    Raceteker New Member

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    Can you tell me where you found the kit for $15? I've been looking every so often, but they're always $45+. I've already attempted to make my own too many times. This kit seems to be the perfect thickness, size, etc. Thanks!
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    I tried to cobble those pieces, using galvanized steel gauge plate (readily available hanger/tie strap); it proved ill-fitting, maybe too thick of a gauge plate. I’d appreciate if someone who bought the commercial version could post the dimensions, both overall and plate thickness, the latter measured with a micrometer or caliper.
     
  4. HKz

    HKz Junior Member

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    Hey raceteker I apologize, looks like it was closer to $25 when I got them. If you have random sheet metal laying around, you can cut it out and hammer it to be the perfect shape should be perfect.

    Yea stuff was really thin but not thin enough where breathing on it did not bend it...sadly did not take any measurements beforehand and neither did the paperwork say anything. But I suspect left over sheet metal from most any car would be perfect
     
  5. Burna J

    Burna J Knot Right Performance....

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    Here the thickness I use.. 304 SS

    IMG_1637.jpeg

    Call Hybrid Pit.. I just dropped some sets off last month. (y)
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    I’m looking at an inch caliper, showing 0.023” thickness, maybe 24 gauge? Looks very thin; I’m thinking it has to be, and mine are way too thick.

    thanks!

    addendum:

    I make 0.23” is roughly 0.5 mm. My cobbled one measures 1.3 mm. :(
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 Mendel Leisk, Jul 14, 2024
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2024
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