My official Prius mods thread.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Jun 26 2006, 11:44 PM) [snapback]277183[/snapback]</div>

(I'm going to assume you're being serious...) Trim rings? Absolutely not. I got rid of those the day I brought it home! The trim rings are there for looks only and serve no practical purpose except minor protection from curb damage to the wheel, although they would likely be destroyed in the process.

These wheels are all about maximizing performance, handling, and mileage.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomKahn @ Jun 27 2006, 01:32 PM) [snapback]277446[/snapback]</div>

I already know the tires I'm getting. They're the General Exclaim UHP, size 215/45 WR17. They weigh only 18 pounds, which is considerably less than pretty much all other tires of that size. UTQG is 380 treadwear, AA traction, and A temperature. They also happen to be rated very highly on TireRack.com, placing first in the Ultra High Performace Summer tires. Oh, and they look pretty cool to. All this for only $72. Normally you get what you pay for, but there are some exceptions.

 

OK, the wheels, tires, and sensors should all be here by the end of the week. If all gets here I'm going to try and get the tires on and balanced on Friday. Then I'll just popo over to Toyota to see if they can't just plug in the scan tool and program the new sensors in. This combo should weigh in at around 31.5 pounds, or about 1 pound under stock. Also, by using the aluminum nuts rather than the heavy steel, I should be able to save another 1/2 pound per wheel. Overall I'll be saving about 1.5 pounds per corner from stock, and 12 pounds per corner from what I have now. Finally I'll be able to really see how much of a difference the weight makes in accelerating, braking, and economy.

I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as possible.

Recap of parts:

Centerline RPM Forged, 17x7 wheels, 42mm offset, 13.5 pounds
General Exclaim UHP, 215/45 17
Toyota TPMS sensors

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TheParadox @ Jun 27 2006, 09:58 PM) [snapback]277778[/snapback]</div>

I don't remember. I have the link on my laptop (I'm on my desktop now), but I'll check tomorrow. If you search Google for chrome bulbs you should be able to find lots.

 

The tires arrived today and I weighed them. They are 18.0 pounds on the dot! Nice and light.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Cheap! @ Jun 29 2006, 11:18 AM) [snapback]278589[/snapback]</div>

OK. Sometimes you can't tell on this site. :blink:

 

The tires are being delayed beucase of the long holiday weekend. They get here on the 5th.

Our third child is arriving on the 4th, so it may be a while before I get it all done...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dpower @ Jun 30 2006, 11:17 PM) [snapback]279488[/snapback]</div>

Those are the underbody panels that come on the 2006. Check your Toyota dealer, as they should have the parts.

 

Our third child was born on July 4th, so I've been a bit busy...

It may be a while...

 

Well, I got the tires mounted. Of course, there HAD to be a snag... I dropped off the tires and wheels at the shop, and then go home. After they call to tell me they are ready, I go to find the piece of paper where I wrote the TPMS sensor ID #'s, and... I can't find it. It's MIA. *&&#($&@^%$! So now I have four mounted and balanced wheels, and when I go to Toyota, they're goingto have to break the bead anyway to get the ID #'s off the sensors. I should have tatooed it on my body do I wouldn't loose them. Ah well, poop happens. Anyway, I plan on mounting them tonight. Pics soon to follow. Of course, now that the kids outnumber us, soon is a relative term. :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(benighted @ Aug 6 2006, 10:23 PM) [snapback]298822[/snapback]</div>

No not really if you do it properly. Also, if you don't switch wheels you'll never have any issue with it. I'm just doing it in a much more convoluted manner than is relly necessary. But then again, not much of what I'm doing is REALLY necessary!