The Hybrid Convertible Project Prius v

Well... since the Firebrid will have the Prius v tail lamp wiring, I will be converting the the old gas door to a center brake light holder. I measured and marked the door I have by using the rubber seal of the lamp I plan to use. (Gotta do stuff to keep from going crazy while I stay off of my sore knee.)



Bill the Engineer

 

A little Dremel work...


Mischief managed.


Bill the Engineer

 

To be honest, it had not crossed my mind. Fiber Reinforced Plastic would be an obvious choice were I to be choosing customized bodywork. However, I plan to make the car look as stock as possible, and the bodywork I am adding to the chassis doesn't weigh too much more than what I have cut off. Reusing stock replacement panels just tilted outward at the bottom to cover the Prius v frame rails seems to be the most direct approach.

The final car will basically be a 2-seater with the Firebird rear seat bottom raised about 15 inches. This will make the rear seat suitable for a large dog, or for local politicians and homecoming queens waving from the back seat in a parade while the top is down.

Bill the Engineer

 

Full day upper body workout on the Firebrid's rocker panel mods today. Cutting off the outer two layers of steel while leaving the inner two layers mostly in place where possible. Tough old bird is going to take four or five more days like today before I can drop the body on the chassis.





Glad I have some use-or-lose leave at work to burn between now and Thanksgiving. I'll be scanning the weather forecast for warmer sunny days.

Bill the Engineer

 

It was a sunny afternoon, so...

For those following along, this notch in the rocker panel of the Firebird body...


...will fit down over this cross-beam on the floor of the Prius v chassis.


Progress!

Bill the Engineer

 

Sunny, warm October afternoon today so I took the afternoon off. Before I could get to the Firebrid project, I had to first change a HID Headlight bulb on my 2004 Gen-II that was winking out every 5 minutes in the dark. Even with reading the on-line how-to's it still took 45 minutes for the one side. The other side isn't acting up yet, so I put the box with the second new bulb in the glove box.


Then I dug into the Firebrid. The modifications to the right hand rocker panel are now done and ready for the body drop.



I also started the modification of the left hand rocker panel before running out of daylight. I will be taking the afternoon off again tomorrow, so we will see how far I get. There is a chance I might get the body onto the chassis by Halloween, but only if the weather cooperates.

Bill the Engineer

 

Very productive afternoon off from work. I estimate that I am about 50% done with the left rocker panel modifications now. Compare this photo to the one of the completed right rocker panel mods above.


The scrap metal bin is filling up again too.


Rain tomorrow. Maybe Sunday will be nice.

Bill the Engineer

 

Cutting is done. Completed the mods to the left rocker panel.


Also opened up the left rear wheel well for the fuel filler to protrude through.


Next time in the garage it will be time to prep everything for the big lift.

Bill the Engineer

 

Another afternoon off before the rain from former super-hurricane Patricia arrives in Ohio tomorrow. Very needed clean-up completed.


Also finally un-buried the Blackhawk "Mobil Crane" engine hoist that has been hidden behind cabinets and tool boxes for more years than I want to count. The chain hoist was also under it just where I had placed it...




This coming weekend the fun begins.

Bill the Engineer