JustDidIt - Modding My 2007....The 2008 Touring died.

Obviously these aren't the best choices for MPG - but these are more for fun... I'll still keep my OEM touring 16x6 wheels around for extracurricular non-good-mpg activites!

 

Nothing falling off my car... Maybe I should have said "PFT"

I did however pick up a Torque wrench from HF for all the new installs coming up so I don't have to guess with my PFT

 

Just got my CNC'd MAF housing as well as my 2" Aluminum Mandrel Bent Polished 2.0mm thick tubing - Now just got this welded all together.

 

My Rear Progress Bar Install:

Upgraded 2002-2006 Corolla/Matrix Bolts and Nuts




Comparing a Corolla 20mm Rear Bar I had cleaned up and painted to a 24mm Progress Rear Bar..





Old Bar


20mm hollow 2008 Touring vs 24mm Progress





Upgraded Corolla Nuts vs 2008 Touring Prius Nuts

2008 Touring Prius Bolts vs Upgraded Corolla Bolts

2008 Prius Touring Bolt

Corolla Bolt

Installed

Tiny Compare picture:

Some added "flair" since the Progress bar wasn't tagged...worth at least +5hp This sticker was added then a clear coated was applied.

 

Figured with all these instructions, I should be able to figure it out and I did. Thanks to those who have posted info about this before me!

2006 Matrix 24mm front sway bar - direct from UWrench junk yard. Dirty/Cleaned/Primed and read for RED paint!


2008 Touring sway bar

Bolts that need to be removed so front member can be dropped 2" for sway bar removal and install.
(4)19mm for cross member (2)14mm engine mount in middle

Supported by jack for safety

Passenger side. By far the easiest side to get most of the bolts loose. Far right blue oval circling 19mm bolt support cross member. Only loosened enough to let the member hang down 2" - remove steering rack bolts (4) 17mm - (4)12mm bolts holding sway bar bushings - ignore the far left blue circle. But there was a bolt/nut combo there.

Driver side cross member support bolt 19mm loosened just enough to let the support hang 2" lower. Can't do much on this side.

Why i NORMALLY use Craftsman - TAIWAN cr@p broke..

Compare 22mm Touring Front Sway Bar vs 24mm Painted Red 2006 Matrix Front Sway bar ... u can see on the red bar, I taped off the area where the bushings go.

More added "flair" - this one is prob worth +10hp - This sticker was added then a clear coated was applied.

Poly Bushing installed and greased

Installed!

 

Thanks!! The red paint was my way of doing a little extra, or finishing touches. The TRD sticker was my manly way of "be-dazzling" the bar.

The bar does not hit going over driveways or speed bumps. I tightened down the polyurethane bushings PFT. I could not get my torque wrench into where I could use it. As of now I did not need any spacers and the bar does not touch the cross member support at all. My only complaint that I have or ever had even when I did poly bushings upgrades on my 4runner is that they are a little noisy/creaky going over bumps... Even when they are greased.

As far as handling, I did both the front and rear sway bars the same weekend. Rear sway bar on Friday and front sway bar on Saturday. It's a night and day difference with each added. The rear sway bar definitely improved the tightness of the rear end going around corners. Whereas the front sway bar help the front of the car take corners more flat. From where it was before even with the coilovers this was a huge performance suspension upgrade. It's like a completely different car, way more fun to drive. I highly recommend this inexpensive upgrade to anyone with a 2004-2009 Prius.

 

look what arrived

 

Hold that thought, there may not have been any thumping or knocking but only after less than a week..the creaking has really bugged me. Gonna put the car up this wknd and take another look. May have to switch to the OEM rubber bushings if I cant get the creaking to go away...

 

Everywhere I read, polys creak...unless u grease them constantly... hince why I'm considering: Energy Suspension Greasable Sway Bar Bushings 9-5160R - $16 with Free shipping


Or going back to the Rubber OEM...

 

OMG... these OEM fog lights... die cast housings are a PITA..to cut open.. this may take a new direction shortly.

 

Finding out that my Tanabe Front support bar is REALLY close to the ground. Keep catching it on speed bumps.

 

Definitely gonna try this as well - 6'2" - all legs....

Did my own Front Seat tilt mod. So much more comfortable than before!!

 

Current pics of the car...

Nite shot.

 

not yet. But, DAaayuuum the car handles good. Still haven't decided on swapping them out for OEM rubber or grease-able Polys.