Updates:

August 1, 2002:

MD Changer is Here!!! Installed easily, works like a dream. Check out the article and pictures.

 

June 26, 2002:

I'm getting the MiniDisc Changer! My friend in Japan sent me a bunch of R4-related connectors, we matched them for compatibility, and now he's ordered the changer.

 

For those of you who do audio projects and/or sniff on the IE bus, you may want to check out these connectors. He sent me a couple of R4/MD connectors, but most exciting, he sent me separate shells and sets of pins (with pigtail wires) for making an extension cable. See the article, also listed below under "Project Detail".

 

June 25, 2002:

I've got a lead on the Gentex auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink controls. I should be getting this soon.

 

June 23, 2002:

Added backup-cam and baby-cam closed-circuit monitor. Article is pending.

 

June 10, 2002:

Added "DaddyCam" closed-circuit monitor. See the article, also listed below under "Project Detail".

 

June 5, 2002:

This thing gets GREAT mileage. Finally hit 100 MPG. (hi-res:)

Options:

• Navigation System
• Cruise Control
• Side Air Bags
• Daytime Running Lights
• Carpeted Floor Mats
• Trunk Cargo Net

Add-Ons, Upgrades, and Mods:

• Remote-Trunk Kit from Coastal Electronic Technologies
• Mudguard Set (Mud Flaps) from Romania Toyota
• Samsung Mobile Handsfree Speakerphone
• Coastal ViewTech Multimedia System
• Auto-Dimming Mirror Plus Homelink by "Gentex" (I covet the one with compass/thermometer but it's not out yet with Homelink). JP Customs has the Homelink model; just ask them. Or try Mito Corporation. See the Homelink site for information about the system (it's a self-learning garage-door opener system plus extra buttons). Also on this site you can find out about the "Vehicle Interface" (which is really the interface to your Home's X10 system) and other accessories.
• MiniDisc Changer from Japan. Installs in the Armrest storage area. See my article listed below. Also, see Tamasu-san's installation. He bent the cover down to expose extra useful space in the armrest. You can use AltaVista Babelfish for Japanese-English Translation - You'll have to enter Tamasu-san's link where it says, "Web Page".

See Current/Past Project Details at the bottom of the page.

Upcoming Add-Ons and Mods:

• SmartTire Remote Tire Pressure system with Full Function Display.
• Check-a-Spare spare tire remote inflation extension tube.
• HomeLink garage-door/home lights built-in remote. (See HomeLink's home site for explanation.)
• Valentine-1 Radar Detector with Concealed Display.
• I might also consider the BEL Vector LR Remote. Not as good as the Valentine-1 but well-built for totally concealed mounting including remote laser detectors. Also Invisible to VG-2 detection where they're illegal. See Motor Trend's Review of radar detectors.

Upcoming Projects of my own design and/or making:

• Tach/Accel/MPG meter with a backlit-LCD display and LED bargraphs.
  • Tach and ICE run indicator.
  • LED-bargraph accelerometer to test gentle vs. powerful accelerations and fuel economy.
  • MPG indicators (bar or numeric) for when you have the display on NAV!
  • Possibly contain a large log of per-minute or per-5-minute MPG readings with available downloading.
• Richard Larimore's DRL-disable. His PDF guide. (Thanks to PriusOnline.com.)
  • I have plans for extended On/Off indicators that could go in the dash.
• Headlight Monitor/AutoSwitch.
  • Detects dusk and warns to turn on true headlights (with AutoSwitch - turns them on for you).
  • Built-in false-alarm detection and hysteresis to avoid annoying shadow-effects.
  • Detects headlights on with Ignition off and warns (or turns off with AutoSwitch).
• Ultrasonic Parking Guide
  • Side and rear ultrasonic rangefinders. ($$$!)
  • Indicators for off-parallel from curb or other cars.
  • Distance/warning to objects behind.
• Flux-Gate Compass Parking Guide
  • Electronic compass controlled by microcomputer.
  • Set button for when you're perpendicular to your parking place or parallel to curb.
  • Displays off-angle as you're moving into position.
• Video Input Selector with 4-8 inputs and 2 or 3 outputs
  • Sequencer buttons to step through inputs.
  • Mount sequencer button for MFD on one of the steering-column stalks.
  • Have other sequencers for back-seat video screens for passengers/kids.
  • Watch driver, backup cam, back-seat cam, TV and movies (for back-seaters).
  • Have superimposed labels to tell what each input is as you step through them.

Remote-Trunk Kit Valet Mod

I got the Remote Trunk Opener kit from Coastal Electronic Technologies, and modified it to be completely compatible with the trunk lock valet mode, and also compatible with the remote driver-seat lever (and its interaction with valet mode!). All it takes are a couple of springs and spacers.

 

 

Prius IEBus Y-Cable Mod

I needed to tap the "mute" line on the radio, so I got a "CD Setting Kit" from Toyota (with the infamous IEBus Y-Cable). While connecting to the mute line, I also put in a handy hack for plugging in an IEBus Sniffer.

 

This mod has a novel way of "splicing" wires on the Toyota connectors by soldering them to the pins on one end. It's very strong, neat, and doesn't require cutting any wires.

 

 

DaddyCam Closed-Circuit Monitor

This page describes a low-cost closed-circuit camera hookup for reverse viewing from a back-seat carseat. It includes a novel mounting clamp for easy removal when you convert from a rear-facing to a front-facing carseat.

 

 

BackupCam and BabyCam through MFD

After getting the Coastal Electronics Viewtech Mod on my Multi-Function Display I hooked up a backup camera and a baby-monitor camera (inverse of the "DaddyCam" noted above). Here are some details. (COMING SOON.)

 

 

R4 Connector Parts

My friend in Japan sent me a bunch of R4-related connectors. For those of you who do audio projects and/or sniff on the IE bus, you may want to check this out. He sent me a couple of R4/MD connectors, but most exciting, he sent me separate shells and sets of pins (with pigtail wires) for making an extension cable.

 

 

Gentex Homelink Mirror

I got the Gentex self-dimming mirror with the Homelink buttons. Homelink is a self-learning garage-door opener module with two extra buttons, that can link to X10 home control or learn other RF remotes. Installed easily and it's really nice. It's a bigger mirror so it required a strategy for using it with the sun visors. (COMING SOON.)

 

 

MD Changer is Here!

My friend from Japan came to visit, and hand-carried it. It took quite a negotiation to figure out if it was compatible and then to find one, but it paid off. All the screen controls are in English, and it even displays the album and song titles! Check out the pictures and article.

 

Coleman Powermate Car Starter

Descriptions and pictures of a nice, compact emergency-start device which would be perfect for the Prius.

 

 

Copyright © 2002 John R. Haggis. All Rights Reserved.
Last updated: 8/1/2002