I was going to look at the fender in Arkansas that John mentioned, but Brent found one right next to where he works. It was supposed to be the right color and looked good in pictures, but it is actually more of a gray-tan. We got it anyway for $40. Brent is going to paint a few spots along the door frame anyway, so painting the fender is not that big a deal.
The car is registered and legally on the road now, but the fender is at the shop in Tulsa.
I did a basic alignment on it yesterday. I adjusted it to about 1/16" overall toe-in with the steering wheel driving centered. Camber was a little off, but its hard to get a good read on it in my driveway where it is all sloped a bit. I eventually made a guess based on averages and pushed the strut mount out a little bit. From there I drove to a parking lot that looked good. Both measured (multiple samples across the tires) between 88.5 and 89 degrees from horizontal (negative camber), so I'm leaving it at that.
I drove it around locally for about 20 miles yesterday. I'm happy with how it has come out. I still freak out a little when the engine 'stalls' at stop lights. Brent and my daughter will be picking it up tonight and using it as their car now while Brent finishes up the remaining body work at his leisure.
is he going to bump out the rocker panel, or maybe apply some cool "OE CAT STOLEN" decals?
I still freak out a little when the engine 'stalls' at stop lights.
Yeah, its an interesting leap of faith. Here we are, buying high mile, previously wrecked cars. Then, when it stops running at an intersection, its a pretty natural assumption (at least from past life experiences) that this "dying at intersections" is gonna be a bad thing. Even my first Prius, bought at 78k miles it takes some getting used to the idea that the engine "quits" but that it will be okay.
I'm glad this one is working out. Aside from damage, everything seems to be good mechanically?
In reply to John Welsh :
Mrs Recon and I rented a 2020 Ferd Expedition when we went to Alaska in 2019. Engine shutoff at a stop drive me batty.
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:
is he going to bump out the rocker panel, or maybe apply some cool "OE CAT STOLEN" decals?
Where can I get one of those stickers for Mrs AAZCD's Element? As for bumping it out... Yes, he is really excited about the Prius and plans to fix the remaining dents as he gets time. I wish that I could have him as my garage staff, but he's got so much going on that the best I can get from him on my projects now is 'paint and body consultant'.
Prius Down. Last week my pretty much son in law was leaving for work and the Prius had the red triangle of death and wouldn't go into gear. I haven't had a chance to get to their place to check it out, but he has my code reader and found a C1310. I told him first check the 12V battery. He says he checked it and it needs a new Hybrid battery control module. I think it could be, but also could be a few other things such as a corroded connector, weak battery still, or other?
Although it has been in possession of my daughter and him for most of a year, it is still technically my car. I suggested that we try swapping parts with my '07 Prius before he spends money on parts. I found that the Hybrid Battery Modules in my junky '07 Camry are the same, just more for a higher capacity. We can steal those if needed, but the control module is completely different.
So, me being Me: After I discussed with him how I don't want him spending money on unneeded parts, I put a starting bid on a Prius that comes up for auction on Wednesday. ...for parts. This one should sell cheap.
Ahhhh! Let me know if you get that one! I would love to check on the condition of a few parts as mine is the same color
I eventually need to build the electric portion of a drive system, and I have read that prius parts are the way to go. Let me know if you need any extra recoup. I am in no hurry.
I'll plan to get that car as long as the price stays cheap enough to get my money back out from parting a few things and scrapping it. It's definitely not one to rebuild and is high mile, so I expect it won't be hard to be high bidder. Some nicer ones are selling nearby at IAA the next morning.
I flew over Copart on my way back from a hospital this morning and the lot was maxed out. Probably lots of cars from the ice storms we had a couple weeks ago. I can't quite spot the Prius.
The blue Prius was bid up to $800 from a buyer in Georgia before the start of the auction. I figured that by the time I'd win it could be well over $1,500 counting fees. No doubt there's value in parting it. For my time it's not worth it unless I can do a quick strip and scrap. I need to reduce my inventory and project queue before I can take on more that can't be a quick break-even.
