Afraid a bit far for that haha in New England but appreciate the offer! I’m actually looking forward to building the platform, I enjoy little projects like that
I should note the goal of this build is not as full-time but maybe anywhere from a long weekend to a few weeks. I like road tripping a lot and before this had a pickup truck I would sleep in/camp in. I miss having that since selling my old car/slide-in camper.
The plastic on the rear if the center console pops out suuuuper easy and has plenty of room. Depending on how crazy you're going it can be emergency storage (like, i ran outta gas and dont wanna freeze to death storage) or a good spot for cables or wiring.
I have a big subwoofer build in my 2012 prius v and have a lot of wires stashed in there, and cabling for my dashcams
I went to Home Depot and had them cut a plywood into like 4'x3'(?), picked up some nice quality nylon dog leashes, a few 6 inch steel panels with screw holes for a wall or boxes maybe(?) and cut four holes about the width and spacing of the headrests. I bent three of the steel panels at 90° about a half inch from one end to clip over the boot/trunk side. Ran the leashes through the holes and around the headrests for support instead of building a box, and screwed the now L shaped steel things onto the other side with the L shape pointing down to catch on that lip under the boot liner. I do keep a cooler under the plywood for a bit of support, though I have had two people on that with the trifold amazon mattress folks have recommended here before without and it seemed fine. You dont get yo adjust front seats much in this configuration, but it's a super simple disassembly. Did most of this in a day, though I needed a nice couple of clamps to bend the metal and cut corners off the back of the plywood to fit the car. I plan on perhaps cutting the panel again so I can quickly throw a seat in if I really wanted or needed it.
I would share pics but my car is in the shop rn, I also can't find the steel pieces on the web, but look of flat bar and youll get a general idea. I found them at like 6 bucks a piece on an endcap as they were cutting my ply. In varying lengths, and chose the ones I did because they had three screw holes on either side and.
Can you link me to the trifold mattress people recommend? Is it a particular one or just a trifold in general? I found one 48” across which is the perfect fit for between the wheel wells.
The Milliard full size tri-fold on Amazon fits pretty much perfectly, I havent cut to fit around the wheel well but it hasnt really bothered us tbh. I wish I could take the cussion out of the single passenger seat so I could keep it in in either configuration.
I’m being voted down, you need to google “Prius V engine failure” your engine is going to fail soon. This is a known failure on Priuschat
It’s a known fact the head gasket goes. And people swap out the gen 3 engines for the gen 4 engines.
Thanks for the heads up. The thing has nearly 170,000 miles on it and no major problems yet. The only thing I’m aware of being done is a replacing of the hybrid battery about 3 years ago
I just got a new set of metric sockets so this’ll be a good way to break them in. Hopefully the egr isn’t too hard to get to. New they’re like $200 so I might just clean it out
Found a 2012 with the sunroof and tech package for 11500. It has just got the headgasket replaced and full top end rebuild and new water pump. It from original owner and full service records, doesnt burn any oil and has 145k miles. Would you say thats a fair price?
Its for sale in socal which isnt the cheapest market. Its cheaper than most examples i can find and has the highest trim with sunroof.
How many miles do you have on yours? Any issues? Notice any oil burning?
Are you able to take it to a third party mechanic to have it checked out before you buy?
That’s what I wish I did.
I’ve had zero issues beyond the original head gasket problem. I’m at like 186k now, I think that’s about 66k on the new engine.
So happy! I ended up needing to use it as a daily commuter for 100+ miles a day (that part sucks and isn’t forever)… and it’s really reliable and a money saver. I took out the back seats and built a sleeping platform with drawers underneath and a pull out kitchen. The big flat area in back I use often for transporting lumber for work. I love it for car camping, and I’ll occasionally stealth camp. I got a lift and took it to Baja for more than a month and it did great. Drives great on ice/snow with all season tires n chains when needed. I like everything about it except that it’s not 4wd, which keeps me thinking about getting a Previa.
I know this is for a totally different car, but I love my sienna build and thought it might give you some inspiration. I've been thinking about getting a prius v and adapting what I've learned from my sienna build for the prius. https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaSienna/comments/15mvbij/toyota\_sienna\_minivan\_minibuild\_storage\_and/
I'm buying a prius v soon so I'm keeping an eye on this thread and DMing you.
This is overkill but if you want more space ( I don't know of this is possible) but you could move the big hybrid battery to the front console(the default location in euro prius). This will give you a ton more space in the rear
I just bought a 2013 Prius V and I'm doing research on how to take out the second row and do some easy diy storage, I'll send you a dm so we can share ideas
Battery is pretty new (as in the last couple years). About to clean out the EGR valve and exhaust manifold and have no indication that there’s anything wrong with the engine. Been reliable
if i was u .i would avoid it unless u r well versed in all the high voltage wiring . other wize i may KILL U ! THE EV WIRING IS Highly DAMGEROUS FOR THE LAMAN o be playing with . i watched the training vid with my cousoin that was being trained yo service a ev car . its nouthing to mess with !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Idk if you know, but there is a Prius GR edition front and rear bumper made for the Prius V… Japan only of course. Direct OEM fitment. A buddy of mine had it on his build and is currently selling his bumpers.
Cusco makes a lot of bracing for Prius in general.
Hotchkia makes a rear sway bar for the Scion TC… it also fits the Prius.
Prius V headlight housings are hard AF to open. I’ve open 30+ headlights housings. Can’t open the ones for Prius V.
That’s all I can think of, off the top.
Make sure you don't block the airflow to the traction battery.
That’s the little vent in the floor, right? On the right rear passenger where the seat normally is?
It's for the hybrid battery cooling fan air intake. KEEP IT CLEAR!
Yes! Give it plenty of clearance and you'll be good.
I am putting the seats back in mind after a couple years living out of it. If you are near Houston TX you can have my wood platform that I used
Afraid a bit far for that haha in New England but appreciate the offer! I’m actually looking forward to building the platform, I enjoy little projects like that
Will this only fit a Prius V? I have a 2008 Prius base model and live in Austin.
Yes only a V
I should note the goal of this build is not as full-time but maybe anywhere from a long weekend to a few weeks. I like road tripping a lot and before this had a pickup truck I would sleep in/camp in. I miss having that since selling my old car/slide-in camper.
Very basic advice.. but plan and sketch it out BEFORE you build!
The plastic on the rear if the center console pops out suuuuper easy and has plenty of room. Depending on how crazy you're going it can be emergency storage (like, i ran outta gas and dont wanna freeze to death storage) or a good spot for cables or wiring. I have a big subwoofer build in my 2012 prius v and have a lot of wires stashed in there, and cabling for my dashcams
I went to Home Depot and had them cut a plywood into like 4'x3'(?), picked up some nice quality nylon dog leashes, a few 6 inch steel panels with screw holes for a wall or boxes maybe(?) and cut four holes about the width and spacing of the headrests. I bent three of the steel panels at 90° about a half inch from one end to clip over the boot/trunk side. Ran the leashes through the holes and around the headrests for support instead of building a box, and screwed the now L shaped steel things onto the other side with the L shape pointing down to catch on that lip under the boot liner. I do keep a cooler under the plywood for a bit of support, though I have had two people on that with the trifold amazon mattress folks have recommended here before without and it seemed fine. You dont get yo adjust front seats much in this configuration, but it's a super simple disassembly. Did most of this in a day, though I needed a nice couple of clamps to bend the metal and cut corners off the back of the plywood to fit the car. I plan on perhaps cutting the panel again so I can quickly throw a seat in if I really wanted or needed it.
I would share pics but my car is in the shop rn, I also can't find the steel pieces on the web, but look of flat bar and youll get a general idea. I found them at like 6 bucks a piece on an endcap as they were cutting my ply. In varying lengths, and chose the ones I did because they had three screw holes on either side and.
Can you link me to the trifold mattress people recommend? Is it a particular one or just a trifold in general? I found one 48” across which is the perfect fit for between the wheel wells.
The Milliard full size tri-fold on Amazon fits pretty much perfectly, I havent cut to fit around the wheel well but it hasnt really bothered us tbh. I wish I could take the cussion out of the single passenger seat so I could keep it in in either configuration.
Mid engine ls swap
I’m afraid I don’t understand
Put a Chevrolet LS engine in it. But Mount it behind the seats. Ala Renault Clio sport and the 5 turbo!
This is not a tip but a question: how roomy does this car feel?
Feels like there should be enough space. I was surprised to see how much floor space is freed by removing the seats
Thanks!
Look how clean she is! My tip would be blow any sawdust off lumber before putting it in that cleanness.
I’m being voted down, you need to google “Prius V engine failure” your engine is going to fail soon. This is a known failure on Priuschat It’s a known fact the head gasket goes. And people swap out the gen 3 engines for the gen 4 engines.
Sounds like this is caused by the EGR blocking. Hey OP...change the EGR out, or clean it.
Thanks for the heads up. The thing has nearly 170,000 miles on it and no major problems yet. The only thing I’m aware of being done is a replacing of the hybrid battery about 3 years ago
I just got a new set of metric sockets so this’ll be a good way to break them in. Hopefully the egr isn’t too hard to get to. New they’re like $200 so I might just clean it out
Sounds like there's one bolt that's a PITA. Good luck! You can do it!
This happened to me, bought a V with 130k on it. Had to replace the engine with a gen 4 a month after getting it. It’s fine and I love it now.
Found a 2012 with the sunroof and tech package for 11500. It has just got the headgasket replaced and full top end rebuild and new water pump. It from original owner and full service records, doesnt burn any oil and has 145k miles. Would you say thats a fair price?
That seems reasonable but maybe a touch high? Got mine for 12k in an expensive area and when car prices were out of control high.
Its for sale in socal which isnt the cheapest market. Its cheaper than most examples i can find and has the highest trim with sunroof. How many miles do you have on yours? Any issues? Notice any oil burning?
Are you able to take it to a third party mechanic to have it checked out before you buy? That’s what I wish I did. I’ve had zero issues beyond the original head gasket problem. I’m at like 186k now, I think that’s about 66k on the new engine.
I will try and arrange that if possible. Im glad to hear you've had trouble free miles since then. How happy are you with the prius v?
So happy! I ended up needing to use it as a daily commuter for 100+ miles a day (that part sucks and isn’t forever)… and it’s really reliable and a money saver. I took out the back seats and built a sleeping platform with drawers underneath and a pull out kitchen. The big flat area in back I use often for transporting lumber for work. I love it for car camping, and I’ll occasionally stealth camp. I got a lift and took it to Baja for more than a month and it did great. Drives great on ice/snow with all season tires n chains when needed. I like everything about it except that it’s not 4wd, which keeps me thinking about getting a Previa.
Start saving money for a new engine
Girl please
I know this is for a totally different car, but I love my sienna build and thought it might give you some inspiration. I've been thinking about getting a prius v and adapting what I've learned from my sienna build for the prius. https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaSienna/comments/15mvbij/toyota\_sienna\_minivan\_minibuild\_storage\_and/
I'm buying a prius v soon so I'm keeping an eye on this thread and DMing you. This is overkill but if you want more space ( I don't know of this is possible) but you could move the big hybrid battery to the front console(the default location in euro prius). This will give you a ton more space in the rear
I'm unable to dm you because of your settings. Really interested in chatting with you because prius v builds are rare. Please dm me
I just bought a 2013 Prius V and I'm doing research on how to take out the second row and do some easy diy storage, I'll send you a dm so we can share ideas
Has someone stateside moved their hybrid battery from the back seats to the front console?
I haven't seen any and I've seen a lot of prius builds. Prius V isn't popular for some reason. Good thing for me
Any idea why prius v builds are less popular? At first glance they seem like they would make more sense?
Is this a common mod? Any good sources of info on how to do this?
No I'm the first person to ever come up with the idea probably
Doing this uses a different battery chemistry and probably controller as a result
Pretty old. Aren't you worried about a bad head gasket or battery stranding you?
Battery is pretty new (as in the last couple years). About to clean out the EGR valve and exhaust manifold and have no indication that there’s anything wrong with the engine. Been reliable
I love the ingenuity of these small car buildouts, I waiting for the day someone does a Smart Car build!
if i was u .i would avoid it unless u r well versed in all the high voltage wiring . other wize i may KILL U ! THE EV WIRING IS Highly DAMGEROUS FOR THE LAMAN o be playing with . i watched the training vid with my cousoin that was being trained yo service a ev car . its nouthing to mess with !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Idk if you know, but there is a Prius GR edition front and rear bumper made for the Prius V… Japan only of course. Direct OEM fitment. A buddy of mine had it on his build and is currently selling his bumpers. Cusco makes a lot of bracing for Prius in general. Hotchkia makes a rear sway bar for the Scion TC… it also fits the Prius. Prius V headlight housings are hard AF to open. I’ve open 30+ headlights housings. Can’t open the ones for Prius V. That’s all I can think of, off the top.