Firebrid: The Prius v Powered Hybrid Convertible

Discussion in 'Prius v Technical Discussion' started by Bill the Engineer, Jul 4, 2017.

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  1. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I remember how much I liked an old Ford HVAC design where the two-piece plastic box was on both sides of the firewall, with the blower and evaporator accessible from the engine side, and the heater core inside the cabin but just behind an easily-accessible panel behind the glove box. Very easy to service! (It even turned out the entire A/C circuit could be removed intact for access to the engine ... no need to evacuate or recharge it.)

    -Chap
     
    #21 ChapmanF, Jul 26, 2017
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  2. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Hmmm...

    Now I'm glad I didn't weld the new brackets on yesterday. I was looking at an old photo from last year when the body was on the chassis and noticed that there is a Prius v corner brace protruding into the area. Time for a design modification on Saturday!

    upload_2017-7-27_18-22-50.jpeg
    upload_2017-7-27_18-23-41.jpeg

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #22 Bill the Engineer, Jul 27, 2017
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  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    So there must be a new saying:

    Review the pics twice and weld once!
     
    #23 Raytheeagle, Jul 27, 2017
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  4. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    :ROFLMAO:

    That goes with the "Sleep on it and make sure it still makes sense tomorrow" rule...

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #24 Bill the Engineer, Jul 27, 2017
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  5. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    I just couldn't stay out of the garage this evening. My mind is already churning on the changes to the brackets. Glad I drew the alignment line for the Firebird's firewall on the side of the Prius v A-pillar.

    upload_2017-7-27_20-6-32.jpeg

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #25 Bill the Engineer, Jul 27, 2017
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  6. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Today I completed fabricating the modified fender bolt pockets for both the left and right sides. (Left side shown below.)

    upload_2017-7-29_17-35-14.jpeg upload_2017-7-29_17-35-47.jpeg upload_2017-7-29_17-36-17.jpeg upload_2017-7-29_17-36-53.jpeg upload_2017-7-29_17-37-25.jpeg

    Afterward I wire brushed all of the paint, rust and filler off of the immediate area on the firewall. Tomorrow if all goes well it all gets welded into place..

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #26 Bill the Engineer, Jul 29, 2017
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  7. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Fabrication welding and installation welding of the fender bolt pockets completed.

    upload_2017-7-30_16-24-4.jpeg
    upload_2017-7-30_16-24-37.jpeg
    upload_2017-7-30_16-26-31.jpeg
    upload_2017-7-30_16-27-3.jpeg

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #27 Bill the Engineer, Jul 30, 2017
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  8. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    have you seen this build?

     
    #28 Beachbummm, Aug 1, 2017
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  9. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Yes he has, Hoopie did the Pruck in record time
     
    #29 Rmay635703, Aug 1, 2017
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  10. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    I certainly need to up my game to keep up! Maybe I'll get to drive the Firebrid in a video like that!

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #30 Bill the Engineer, Aug 1, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2017
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  11. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    you two can do a modified prius drag race .. winner gets their choice of a 2013 Nissan Leaf or a 6 month supply of Spam (the canned meat not that annoying e mail stuff)
     
    #31 Beachbummm, Aug 2, 2017
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  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    LOL
    I had to look twice at your avatar. I thought you had gone all looney toons on us and put an anvil on top of your car. :eek: :LOL:
     
    #32 Prodigyplace, Aug 2, 2017
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  13. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    I saw this car for sale on craigs list and saw a tent. ... Oh that's different than I read the ad and the guy said he paid $1150 for the tent.. plus $200 for the roof racks... I just had to post the picture, stupidest thing I have ever seen
     
    #33 Beachbummm, Aug 2, 2017
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  14. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Personally, I'd rather sleep inside the Prius with the a/c on. ;)

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #34 Bill the Engineer, Aug 2, 2017
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  15. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    agreed.. but to each their own, tents aren't bear proof no matter where you put them..
     
    #35 Beachbummm, Aug 3, 2017
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  16. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Nothing photogenic this past weekend. Awaiting more welding supplies. Cleaned up around the garage to give myself more space. Also was at a large Pontiac show on the weekend and bought some needed trim pieces. On to this coming weekend!

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #36 Bill the Engineer, Aug 7, 2017
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  17. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Did I mention that things are a little cramped in the garage right now?

    upload_2017-8-8_21-23-25.jpeg
    upload_2017-8-8_21-24-18.jpeg

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #37 Bill the Engineer, Aug 8, 2017
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  18. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Beautiful, but frustrating weekend. I had a struggle getting a good weld on Saturday. Things kept getting worse and worse. Sunday morning I double-checked all of my settings on the welder. Everything was set right, but when I opened the valve for the shield gas, the gauges didn't move. (D'oh!) Rookie error!

    So the first store I could get to that had welding gas on a Sunday was a half hour away. I get there, and they are out. They sent me to another location 45 minutes from their store, but also 45 minutes from home. (Big triangle.) I get there and get the fresh bottle, and when I get home it is already 3:15. So much for half of the afternoon.

    I finally got underway making good (for me) welds again. First I finished up under the dash well enough that seam sealer will do the rest. Next I created top perimeter flanges for the fender bracket pockets on the firewall.

    upload_2017-8-13_18-51-27.jpeg
    upload_2017-8-13_18-52-6.jpeg

    Then I fabricated the outer walls for the fender bracket pockets and welded them into place. They will drain into the air plenum at the bottom corner.

    upload_2017-8-13_18-54-45.jpeg
    upload_2017-8-13_18-55-11.jpeg
    upload_2017-8-13_18-55-45.jpeg

    The fender bracket pockets are now sturdy and body sealer will close up any remaining leak points.

    Next weekend starts paint stripping on the Prius v chassis where panels need to be welded onto it to mate with the body. Fingers crossed for more good weather.

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #38 Bill the Engineer, Aug 13, 2017
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  19. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Just daydreaming a bit...

    upload_2017-8-18_18-8-22.jpeg

    Bill the Engineer
     
    #39 Bill the Engineer, Aug 18, 2017
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  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    The Prius Prime is missing... :D
     
    #40 Prodigyplace, Aug 18, 2017
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