Right hand drive conversion on a Prius v (lowercase v)

A set of headlamps and rear lights to change. Dead easy. The gauges are the same and switchable between mph and kph. Obviously they wouldn't use the exact UK or Aussie RHD model but just change some details to comply with the US model. It's just minor details. The bumpers are the same, the airbags may need calibration, the emissions are the same. All the adjustments are probably all in the computers just needing switching over or different programming.

My old UK spec RHD Jeep had the US emissions compliance sticker under the bonnet/hood. I'm not sure how big a market postal carriers is, but it might be worthwhile, or would people just continue to cobble together these aftermarket conversions? Surely they're more dangerous than a purpose built vehicle?

 

It can't be done. The government forbids it. Lets just say the hurdles are so high as to be impossible to surmount. To start? A full crash series to prove it meets US specs. The series HAS to be done by Toyota not a conversion company, hint; they aren't interested.

Scott scared me so bad today I gutted the 05 for more interior volume to (help) handle the christmas rush.

 

It would be interesting to see what the part count would look like to convert using OEM parts. Getting them from a scrap yard in UK might not be crazy price wise? Wouldn't have to be 100% clean and finished to still be quite functional, which might help on cost / component count.

 

You'd have a bit of a job. Scrap yards for totally scrapped cars are generally for vehicles 20 years old or more where they're rotten or failed their annual MOT safety test. For an accident damaged car there are very strict rules on what can and can't be sold. If the damage is heavy enough for the car to warranty being unrepairable, then it legally has to be broken for parts. If the car is lightly damaged and just beyond economic repair (usually old cars), then it can be sold on for repair, but with Prii holding their value here any that are damaged are usually significantly so and thus broken for parts, minor damage being repaired by insurers.

Additionally, the Prius v (that's lowercase v for the Prius v wagon ) is not sold in the UK in RHD form, though it is in Australia. The UK version is the Prius+, has a Li-ion battery and has sold in little numbers.

This link gives a general idea of what is available;

2006 TOYOTA PRIUS VVT-I T SPIRIT 1497cc PETROL/ELECTRIC CVT 5 Door Hatchback at CHASE AUTOS LTD Essex, due to close Fri 21st Nov 13:06:00

The above Prius is a category 'C' vehicle means it's just beyond economic repair (rear damage). There are 4 categories;

Category A: scrap only. For cars so badly damaged, there are few or no salvageable parts. Should never re-appear on road.

Category B: body shell should be crushed. Signifies extensive damage, although some parts are salvageable. Should never re-appear on road.

Category C: the vehicle is repairable but the costs exceed the vehicle’s value. Can re-appear on road.

Category D: the vehicle is repairable but repair costs are significant compared to the vehicle value. Can re-appear on road.


What is an insurance write-off? Your Guide to Cat A,B,C & D cars | RAC


It's a minefield for people here, let alone if you're abroad. What are the rules in Canada? With some gen2's now over 10 years old, can they be imported to Canada and then shipped over to you? Or is this all getting way too complicated?

 

Nice! Way to go with the prius!

 

NICE JOB!!!


Would it be reasonable to install a roof rack with a cargo cage / basket??? Throw a cargo net (or cargo steal net with lock) over it.

 

this is awesome.

 

Any idea how hard it was to move the seat back 5 inches. I think I would like the legroom (even though I don't need RHD).

 

Toyota could solve all of this tomorrow if they chose to by releasing a RHD postal version of the Prius v for rural routes. If I remember correctly, the only way to even buy the RHD Jeep in the USA was to get a legal waiver document from the USPS stating that you are an employee. Toyota could do this for the Prius v and dominate the rural delivery vehicle market overnight.

Subaru also has catered to this market in the past. Not sure if they still do though.

Toyota, are you listening?

Bill the Engineer

 

Ruralrouter: I see pictures of the rear loaded but there are none showing the front seat set up. I had been driving my gen II from 2007 - 2011. Part time, and then full time 6 days a week. I have never seen anyone use the EMM trays except for "slugs" that fit into the mail receptacles. I drove from the right with the console removed and sat in the passenger seat. The driver's seat (pushed back all the way) held a mail tub with the mail criss-crossed. I placed a "filler (old blankets) where the console had been removed and used that area to hold my scanner. Slugs were in EMM trays on in the center of the folded down seats so that they were easily accessible.

Never had a problem with volume but the nature of the mail has changed over the years. I was hauling 7-10 tubs of mail a day plus packages. We are getting more packages now and less letter/flat volume. I am sure that if I was using the car now, I would have to remove the rear seat entirely. The car is still going strong on original Hybrid battery with close to 230,000 miles.

Mail count was profitable for me and after losing 2 hours at the last count (in 2012) due to the LLV, I gained that time back plus an additional 1.5 hours.

 

Hey ruralrouter, I know this is an old post, just wondering how your Prius v is doing on the mail route. I'm about to put the same kit in my 2016 v. I stumbled across your post. Thanks for the pictures. Postal things did a nice install. I plan on doing it myself (I have installed two before). Are there different seat extenders for drivers seat and passenger seat.
Thanks
Dan

 

I had to bump this thread. I have been looking into buying a prius v for the mail route. Would LOVE to hear how yours has held up on the route over the years, Scott? How many miles have you put on it? Any problems? Still happy with the conversion kit?
Thanks so much for this thread. I drive a 96 factory RHD cherokee right now but would love to be able to get 30 mpg on the route. Still getting good mpgs?
Thanks again!

 

(Scott has not been to the site in 50 weeks)

 

Gary here; Scott stops at my mail box every day. His v IS still going strong. No issues. Snow tires in winter, I think he only used the blazer one day this year. THAT made him SO glad he has a RHD converted Prius to work from. Route gets a lot of packages but goes back to town in the middle, so he can do a reload during the christmas rush. He did have one "emergency", his roof strobe blew a fuse. While trying to find the offender on his head under the conversion steel in the foot well, he managed to move a fuse to an empty slot, took a bit of troubleshooting to get it back where it belonged. That one errant fuse made the car undriveable, lit up the dash like a christmas tree. I also bought a v, but "retired" from the PO before I used it on the route.
I sold my unconverted 05 that I used as a sub to another carrier that ran it another year, it had over 250K and was still going before she went to a different vehicle.

 

Wow. Great to hear his is still going strong. And great to hear that you put so many route miles on yours. Seems like they make worthy route cars. I'm about go go full time next week on a 43k 100 mile route. Sure would be nice to get that prius MPG.
Thanks for the great thread. No doubt many others will continue to read it in the future. Hopefully some big shots at Toyota do too and we can get a factory RHD from them
Cheers

 

A local steward drove his 07 300K on the route before donating it to charity.

 

I own a 2015 Toyota prius 1.8. right hand drive. can i turn left hand drive? Can you help me what should I do?