I found the missing 4" (vertical) in the trunk. It is below the battery.

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by RonMc5, Oct 11, 2017.

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  1. VTBIGDOG

    VTBIGDOG Active Member

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    What a perfect place to mount a subwoofer!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #121 VTBIGDOG, Oct 16, 2017
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  2. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Cheaper than redesigning the entire the body.

    Toyota should have split the battery between the hatch and under the rear seat. Except my educated guess on the situation is that they had planned on having a shorter range, because they were thinking home market only. So there was a smaller battery that fit better in the hatch, and the PV system battery under the seat. Then they realized their mistake with the smaller battery, and were left scrambling to fix it.
     
    #122 Trollbait, Oct 17, 2017
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  3. RonMc5

    RonMc5 Member

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    I have a 240VAC charger in the garage and only carry my 120 cable on trips... along with a REAL compact spare tire.

    Battery ECU and associated blower below the right rear seat. (and not crowded either) Nothing but air under the left rear seat. Nothing but almost 4" of air under the battery itself... full with and length*. Now the 2007 was a marvel of space utilization. The trunk had a sub trunk and that had a spare tire area and you could put a LOT of seldom used stuff in there as well... along with the compact spare! *Before you say it's for cooling, there are TWO substantial blowers there for that purpose, ducted from the left and right rear passenger seat-backs. You see the grills (and filters) as you get into the respective rear seats. Exhaust is out the bottom of the car I believe.
     
    #123 RonMc5, Oct 18, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 21, 2017
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  4. GT4Prius

    GT4Prius Active Member

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    @Prius Team, there are a lot of questions in this thread to which Prime owners would like answers.

    If you don't join the discussion, people will just continue to guess, and the guesses are not on the whole being very favourable towards Toyota.

    Your call.

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    #124 GT4Prius, Oct 18, 2017
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  5. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    I see this on their Profile page,
    Prius Team was last seen: Jun 23, 2017
     
    #125 Prodigyplace, Oct 18, 2017
  6. GT4Prius

    GT4Prius Active Member

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    I have PM'd them today, so that may get their attention by email.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #126 GT4Prius, Oct 19, 2017
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  7. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Hopefully.
     
    #127 Prodigyplace, Oct 19, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2017
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  8. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Air is an isolator. Radiant heat from asphalt and extreme cold are battery enemies. Having an extremely lightweight layer of protection like that makes a lot of sense.
     
    #128 john1701a, Oct 19, 2017
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  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Even more if some insulating panels or liner with a smaller air gap.

    Hummm, perhaps pickup some hemp pads in Colorado?

    Bob Wilson
     
    #129 bwilson4web, Oct 19, 2017
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    I seem to recollect during the New York reveal video, several Toyota reps kind of studying their fingernails, looking a little sheepish, as the hatch was popped. Strange that so little effort was made, sort of a Marty Feldman "what hump" moment...
     
    #130 Mendel Leisk, Oct 19, 2017
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  11. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Should you really cater to the first impression?

    There's a lot that goes into the decisions of design. In practice, the hump makes no difference. Cargo with back fits just fine.

    Study Prius history to see how things like this have come up before.
     
    #131 john1701a, Oct 19, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2017
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  12. CraigCSJ

    CraigCSJ Active Member

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    Would it be possible to cut a hole in the forward side of the black material where the cord is stowed and access the 4 inches to put seldom used things?
     
    #132 CraigCSJ, Oct 19, 2017
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  13. RonMc5

    RonMc5 Member

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    Cutting a hole in the forward side of that bit MIGHT work. I think it might be difficult to fish stuff back out again.

    That bit is EZly removed*. Trim removal tools or a small common screwdriver might save your fingernails though. I expect you could slide flexible stuff beneath the battery. Charging cable perhaps? Tire fixing implements? A case of beer... if the beer case has the cans laying down. :)

    * You should probably have trim removal tools for this and a properly sized metric socket.
    1)Remove the mat.
    2)Remove the 4 trim buttons from the rear edge of the floor then the floor. The front bayonettes into receivers for same.(this uncovers the battery case).
    3) Remove the center trim piece (where the trunk latches) It just pops out. Remove the left and right trim pieces next to that. If the blue button stay with the car, take them out and put them on the trim instead. I had two come out with the trim and two stay with the car. If you leave those there you won't be able to reinstall the trim.
    4)With the proper metric socket remove the single bolt holding the central storage bin in place. Now you can remove it a look beneath the battery and judge if you'd be able to cut an opening sufficient to put stuff under the battery. I suspect it would be EZer just to leave it out if you want access to the under-storage. You can still put the floor and trim pieces back in. If you put anything beneath I suggest nothing sharp! :)

    I think if you are going to do that I would suggest lining all the sheet metal under that with carpet, bottom and sides as well. The left and right battery blowers and duct work is there, but to the sides of the battery. You wouldn't have heavy, hard or sharp object rolling around under there. I'd be interested to hear about your results.
     
    #133 RonMc5, Oct 19, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2017
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  14. Deleted member 111882

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    If one of you could post a "How to get under the battery for dummies who barely use a screwdriver and don't want to scratch their car" guide one day I'd like to see it :D
     
    #134 Deleted member 111882, Oct 19, 2017
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    who was last seen, prius team, or danny? there are enough red faces to go around.
     
    #135 bisco, Oct 19, 2017
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  16. CraigCSJ

    CraigCSJ Active Member

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    Thanks for the info. I am not qualified to be the first to make that change, but sure would like the extra hidden space.
     
    #136 CraigCSJ, Oct 20, 2017
  17. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    I had some difficulty with your instructions, so I edited the one part for which I had difficulty.

    The four holes at the bottom of this image, the one on the left with the blue button still stuck in, are what hold the back bin down. They are what require the prying to unsnap. And Ron's advice above about putting any that stay in the car back in the plastic is a good one because they have to slide into slots.

    20171020_140315.jpg
     
    #137 Lee Jay, Oct 20, 2017
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  18. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Some more pictures. This is unquestionably the spare tire recess.
    20171020_135121.jpg 20171020_135137.jpg 20171020_135146.jpg 20171020_140134.jpg 20171020_141344.jpg 20171020_141611.jpg
     
    #138 Lee Jay, Oct 20, 2017
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  19. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    #139 Prodigyplace, Oct 20, 2017
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  20. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    By the way, I'm just guessing but my guess is that the hose attached to the back of the battery is the over-board vent in case of a battery fire.

    The thing under the right-rear seat isn't the ECU, it's the battery charger.

    The left-rear seat houses the car jack.
     
    #140 Lee Jay, Oct 20, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 21, 2017
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