Someone suggested to me that I consider a Prius for a chassis swap for the Panhard Dyna Z.
Other then "automatic eww" I can't think of a real bad reason to not consider it. I had planned to do a Subaru but this will absolutely be a cruiser that I may want to tow on a dolly behind the camper. Subaru drivetrains don't like that. The Prius hybrid goofyness would seem to fit the character of the FWD Panhard.
A quick search shows many 2000-2006 Prius and Prius C for $2000-4000 in my area with 150-200k miles.
Prius C wheelbase is basically the same as the Dyna and is a little narrower so is probably the preferred chassis, but they seem to be a bit more expensive and less common.
Prius is 103" WB, Panhard is 100" so it's not dramatically different so Prius would be useable.
I know we have some high mileage Prius enthusiast here. What do I need to look for?
The advantage is I can deal with one that has things like bad glass, dented panels, mild collisions that would make them undesirable. It may be that ONE OF YOU HAVE ONE like that.
If we have discussed this before linking to previous posts is fine I don't need you to rewrite all your excellent previous discussions.
So help me learn to maybe make the PriHard Dyna Z.
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
That seems like a reasonable candidate
Remind me......is that Panhard a steel one or an early aluminum one? A Honda Insight (1st gen) might be a good donor for an aluminum bodied Dyna.
Prius C has different HV battery, usually a bit more money, usually not in stock. There's some other weirdness, one model only stuff. Other than that, I don't see any issues. Different brakes and shocks and all.
In reply to nocones :
I'm sure there is a candidate waiting for you in the eastern suburbs of Indy which therefore keeps it all within the triangle of bad decisions. See Indy-Guy
However, for helpfulness, this thread generally becomes my Gen2 Prius Buyers Guide on page 2
The Prius C will get you a newer car and I don't dislike the Prius C. But, I think at normal retail you'll spend $7k for a Prius C. I think that same $7k spent on a Gen2 will get you a much better condition car. Sure, the Gen2 will be older but I bet at $7k it will have less miles than the $7k Prius C.
Gen2 = '04-'09. There are only slight differences over the years but if all things are equal, I'd recommend a '06-'09
Prius C = '12-'19
Thanks for the help and suggestions keep em coming. I'll be sure to reach out to Indy guy when it's time to purchase something. Upon some reflection I'm kinda thinking this is a good swap idea.
One wierd question unique to what I'm doing.
The airbag system? Will it work with some bags missing? No chance I keep side curtains. In seat ones are probably a no also. But keeping the Drivers one wouldn't be the end of the world.
But let's assume the system won't blow a bag if they aren't all there in which case I'll just remove them all. Will the car still work with just an airbag light? Or will I need to hack something to keep it happy?
I've never had a Prius with a blown airbag. But, if I'm not mistaken, all cars will still run with airbags missing. Just the airbag light will be on.
In reply to nocones :
I looked at a MINI that the seller had turned into a track car, so the stock seats were gone, it had an aftermarket steering wheel and the passenger dash airbag was removed. No dash light because he had put resistors in the circuit to mimic the missing airbags. I don't remember if the side curtain bags were there or not.
This side swiped Prius could be a good candidate at $1,500
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1488695778645237/?mibextid=dXMIcH
At $1,800, this one w/o side swipe could be better. Actually, at $1,800 this white one is a killer deal as a DD'er.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/678615234221962/?mibextid=dXMIcH
A larger airbag issue would be retaining all of the impact sensors and such. This may require the seats if they contain occupant identification.
Are you planning on swapping bits into the Panhard or turning the Prius into a skateboard and trying to drop the Panhard onto it? The firewall on the Prius is a little weird.
I messaged the one in Springfield. No concerns at that kind of mileage? New hybrid battery seems like a plus
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Skateboard. The Panhard floor is trash but the body is good.
Good point on the inertia sensors. I'll just plan to remove everything airbag. It won't be any less safe then the Panhard is overall.
Zero concerns with 200k miles. I have heard of some Gen2s burning a little oil over 200k but that has never been my experience with 7 of them with over 150k. Sure, anything can be bad with neglect
Go out to car-part.com and see how cheap a whole engines can be bought for something like a '07 Gen2 Prius 1.5L. Then go price an an engine for a Gen3 like a 2011. Those Gen3 1.8Ls are notorious HG and oil burners.
A Gen2 engine with 120k runs about $500 or less.
A Gen3 engine with 120k runs about $3,000
Supply and demand. No one needs a gas engine for a Gen2
In reply to John Welsh :
There are some benefits to having a belt driven water pump. And a coolant temperature gauge, which admittedly might be weird in a vehicle that can store two quarts of hot coolant in a separate thermos for later dispensage.
If the airbags in the one you purchase have been blown, you'll have to buy a new airbag computer to get it to run. I had to do this on my wife's after an accident. I also bought the side airbag and plugged it in without remounting it so we could drive it around before parting it out.
My current 2008 is burning oil at about 320k miles but runs fine. Fuel economy is still upper 30s, low 40s.
STM317
PowerDork
11/6/23 8:11 a.m.
Am I right in thinking that the Prius C's have a much lower rate of head gasket issues than the standard Prius?
In reply to nocones :
I currently have eight (8) of them for you to choose from:
I'd likely steer you towards this 2009 that I picked up:
It starts, runs, drives, stops as it should. Air bags are still intact, because it was a deer strike, therefore low inertia impact. Salvage title. I haven't replaced the windshield yet or started any work on it yet. I would sell it for what I have into it: $1100. Maybe less if you let me keep the doors / some other body panels you won't need.
You're probably going to keep the Panhard title for the car once road worthy correct ? That way the salvage title on the donor is irrelevant.
In reply to Indy - Guy :
Oh that is probably the one. Yeah you could keep any body parts you want I would just want the stuff that makes it work and the interior. I would use the Panhard title because this is just a big drivetrain swap I don't think the salvage title would be an issue
I'll PM you. For some more details.
STM317 said:
Am I right in thinking that the Prius C's have a much lower rate of head gasket issues than the standard Prius?
Gen2 ('04-'09) = 1.5L
Gen3 ('10+) = 1.8L
Prius C = 1.5L
The 1.8L is notorious for HGs and oil burn over 200k
So, Gen2 and Cs do not have the HG issues.
I smell the beginnings of a multi-vehicle swap adventure.
nocones said:
In reply to Indy - Guy :
Oh that is probably the one. Yeah you could keep any body parts you want I would just want the stuff that makes it work and the interior. I would use the Panhard title because this is just a big drivetrain swap I don't think the salvage title would be an issue
I'll PM you. For some more details.
Gumby has my cell number. That would be a good route for contact.
NoCones and I have come to an agreement. This is going to be a really cool mash-up.
Time to start a build thread. The challenge is coming fast.
