Prius Limo???

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JustLurkin @ Sep 13 2007, 10:11 PM) [snapback]512305[/snapback]</div>

I can picture what you are thinking of! The short ends you refer to are very short though. I used all the roof material floor and pillars in the construction of the long version. The only thing left is pictured below. I parted out the front clip from the rear donor vehicle.

 

I'm curious how you knit the two halves back together and preserved
all the structural strength needed to support the stresses on the
whole thing, but the answer is probably "go read a basic bodywork
book" which I'm fine with, knowing almost nothing about bodywork
even after hangin' out with Steve Woodruff for a couple of days!
Given what little I saw of just how stiff the original unibody of
the prius, nay, any modern car, it must be a truly wizardly bit of
welding to bring all that to a safe spec.
.
_H*

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JustLurkin @ Sep 13 2007, 10:11 PM) [snapback]512305[/snapback]</div>

I can picture what you are thinking of! You are right about super short. No sunroof needed, the roof would all be glass. Does anyone have a photoshop version to contribute?

The short ends you refer to are very short though. I used all the roof material floor and pillars in the construction of the long version. The only thing left is pictured below. I parted out the front clip from the rear donor vehicle.


[attachmentid=11457]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Sep 14 2007, 02:48 PM) [snapback]512646[/snapback]</div>

It has the back up camera. The front of the car is 06. I kept all the features and wiring harness from the 06.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Sep 14 2007, 03:37 PM) [snapback]512676[/snapback]</div>

I appreciate the video on your website illustrating the strength of today’s space frame construction! You have touched on the most important feature. Toyota’s multilayer laminated uni-body has an impressive weight to strength ratio. Throughout the body the structural members are made of up to five layers of stamped hardened sheet metal arranged so that the seams don’t overlap and so that the voids between them work like a honeycomb to provide maximum rigidity. The center span that has been modified used the same structural technique as the original. By using all the arch material from both cars, the limo is sufficiently strong.

Furthermore, inside the hollow voids along the rocker panel and in the arch above the doors I added steel reinforcement channel. See picture below.

The Prius design is a good fit for the kind of modification I performed. The construction of the side panels are like the truss on a bridge. The combination of triangles and an arch can span the wheel base distance much better than a series of squares. Think about the average limo. They are easy to stretch because they are constructed of parallel and perpendicular components. But they are also less resistant to sagging. With the Prius, the door pillars are triangles for rigidity, while the arch transmits the stress of the weight at the center of the vehicle to the wheels. With our Prius, I elongated the arch without compromising the geometric integrity.


[attachmentid=11460]

 

Prius Limo, I am amazed that one person (you) can know enough about the Prius in general, body work, welding, electronics, engineering, mechanics, car painting and who knows what else to do this.

As for completing it in 200 hours total -- no words.

Thanks for sharing !

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EricGo @ Sep 14 2007, 10:49 PM) [snapback]512877[/snapback]</div>

I was gonna say the same thing. Amazing...

 

Please build me one. Please.

Nate

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EricGo @ Sep 14 2007, 10:49 PM) [snapback]512877[/snapback]</div>

Thank you for this opportunity to give credit where it is due! The longer wheel base was my wife’s idea. We had outgrown the five seat Prius we had at the time. Neither of us could stand the thought of going back to a conventional vehicle. So when she said she wanted a Prius with more space, the idea was born.

Another person who contributed a lot to the project is Steve Woodruff. His name has come up several times before on this string. He was one of the first to specialize in late model Prius repair and modification. I rebuilt a few Prius wrecks for friends and family as a hobby. Steve was always ready to sell me parts at a good price and helped solve technical problems from time to time. He does a fantastic job with diagnostic code troubleshooting. If it had not been for Steve (Autobeyours), I would not have tried more than one repair on my own.

Finally, I relied a lot on my friend Bill who finished up the body “Bondo†work and painted it for me. The first time I painted a Prius I was so embarrassed by the outcome that I have not tried again since.

The project is not complete. I have yet to fiberglass the inner door panel seams and the headliner did not turn out the way I had hoped. If any of you can recommend someone to do custom interior work at a good price, I would be interested in a referral.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Sep 13 2007, 10:45 PM) [snapback]512321[/snapback]</div>

The short answer is no. I thought about it long ago concerning my extremely cramped Datsun pickup. In my opinion, it is only worth it if there is nothing available in the market that meets your need. I have seen some amazing factory extended cabs, one even with three rows of seats.

 

I think a standing ovation for all involved is in order. I'm still looking at these pictures in amazement, and all my wife can think of to say is "No. Don't even think about it." I'm inspired to work on a WeePrii version, but the thought of a junkyard full of real toys to play with is exciting. I hunch Nate's serious - could you, would you make more? Figure out what it would cost, set a minimum bid, and auction it.

 

I just had another good idea. Drop the Hylander powertrain into a Sienna.

Easy cheese.

Yes, I am serious. Let's see, $100 an hour, plus $10,000 for materials, plus another $5,000 for good measure.

$35,000 for a Prius Limo? I'm in.

Nate

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Sep 17 2007, 12:10 AM) [snapback]513548[/snapback]</div>

My thoughts exactly.

Wayne

 

Let me add my voice to the chorus - PLEASE bring this vehicle to Hybridfest next summer. Save the date now - probably the weekend closest to July 20th.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Sep 9 2007, 03:35 PM) [snapback]509708[/snapback]</div>

I am thinking about setting up a web site, but have little experience with computers and internet. Do you have any recommended hosts or info on how to get started? The Altwheels festival sounds great!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheForce @ Aug 20 2007, 09:16 PM) [snapback]499537[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the heads up. I have saved the date and will try to make it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius Limo @ Sep 18 2007, 03:38 PM) [snapback]514472[/snapback]</div>

I have but two things to add to this thread:

1) WAY cool mods. I would have never believed it.

2) I'm SO glad I held my tongue a month ago when this first posted. I was with the naysayers but Lass was too defensive to not believe.

^5

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Sep 17 2007, 01:10 AM) [snapback]513548[/snapback]</div>

if you're serious, DH is your guy. he's wanted to do this just for the sake of doing it. for years.

the prius limo is a bit beyond our capability, but a hihy to sienna conversion? hell yeah.

 

You can put the battery where the spare tire or propeller shaft (that's a toyota term, it's a driveshaft to the rest of you) goes.

DH should be reading right now. A white book with a woodcarved picture of an animal on the cover.

I myself just bought one with a snail on it.

Anybody know where I can get a totaled Hylander that has an intact powertrain? (with 4wd-i)?

Nate