I have finally gotten around to write up the do-it-yourself installation guide with complete instructions on how to install the 7-piece Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit by TRD onto a 2012+ 3rd gen Toyota Prius. I wrote this guide because the kit did not come with any installation instructions and I could not find any decent DIY installation guide online that thoroughly explains the installation process. Since the only part that is different in the 2010-2011 kit from 2012+ kit is the shape/contour of the front air dam pieces, this guide should also apply to 2010-2011 owners. I hope this guide helps other weekend DIY’er who are interested in installing this kit by themselves. Be sure to read the entire guide before proceeding. If you do not have the proper tools or experience to perform the illustrated steps on your own, you should have a professional installer perform the installation on your behalf. This guide is written for informative purpose and serves as a guideline only with warranty neither expressed nor implied.

The Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit is a component of both the Prius PLUS Appearance and Prius PLUS Performance packages, both of which are generally port installed options but components can be ordered separately and installed by yourself or by a dealership. The complete package ranges from $2,299 to $2,999 on the 3rd gen Prius Five, or $2,999 to $3,699 on the Prius Two, Three and Four. Fortunately the components of the PLUS package can be purchased a la carte, which actually saves you money.

• Prius PLUS Performance Lowering Springs – $174.40 (PTR07-47100)
• Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit – $704.41 (PT938-47120-[#color#])
• Prius PLUS Performance Rear Sway Bar – $212.55 (PTR11-47010)
• Prius PLUS Performance Carpet Floor Mat – $110.00 (PT926-47121-10)
• Prius PLUS Performance 17″ Alloy Wheels – $,1400.00 (PTR20-47010)
• Prius PLUS Performance Evolution Exterior Badge – $55.00 (PT413-47110)

If you own a Prius Two, Three or Four, the price of the PLUS Performance package purchased separately will cost $2,656.36. Assuming tires are $130 each (Yokohama Avid ENVigor), the total cost with tires is $3,176.36 – still a savings of $522.64 (not factoring taxes assessed with the dealer installed option).

While there are more parts to this kit, it’s definitely a much easier install than the 5-piece Acura A-Spec underbody spoiler and high-wing kit I’ve installed on the Acura RSX in the past. The Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit is available from Toyota pre-painted in four popular colors. Here are the part numbers for  the color-specific kit, broken down by model years:

2012+ 3rd gen Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects Kit part numbers

• PT938-47120-11, Winter Gray Pearl (color code 8V1)
• PT938-47120-21, Blizzard White (color code 070)
• PT938-47120-01, Classic Silver (color code 1F7)
• PT938-47120-02, Black (color code 202)

2010-2011 3rd gen Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects Kit part numbers

• PT938-47100-11, Winter Gray Pearl (color code 8V1)
• PT938-47100-21, Blizzard White (color code 070)
• PT938-47100-01, Classic Silver (color code 1F7)
• PT938-47100-02, Black (color code 202)

I also like to point out that the 2012+ 3rd gen kit is 100% compatible with any 2012+ 3rd gen Plug-in Prius trims as well. The only caveat is you will not be able to find it in PiP exclusive colors. I don’t believe Toyota sell the kit unpainted, so if you want to add this kit to your Plug-in Prius or regular Prius whose exterior color that didn’t make it into the “popular color” list, you’ll need to purchase one of the available pre-painted kits and have a body shop color match it to the color of your Prius for you. The plus side is if you drive a Clear Water Blue Metallic, Sea Glass Pearl or Barcelona Red Prius with a Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit installed, you’ll have one very unique looking Prius.

So after spending hours, days and weeks searching for the best price; from eBay to local and online dealerships – I’ve located an online parts dealer specializing in OEM Toyota parts, Toyota Part World (http://www.toyotapartworld.com), which I believe is affiliated with the parts department of Heartland Toyota Scion in Bremerton, Washington. As far as I am aware, Toyota Part World has the kit available for the absolute lowest pricing, and they even have a Best Price Guaranteed program. Meaning if you are to find the same item at a lower price within 30-days, they will refund you the difference. As of this writing, the price for the 2012+ 3rd gen 7-piece Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit from Toyota Part World is $707.41 plus shipping and no tax outside of the state of Washington. The price for the Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit designed for the 2010-2011 Prius models is slightly higher, at $827.31, also available at Toyota Part World. Shipping from WA to CA was only $67.82, totaling $775.23 for the 2012+ 3rd gen kit. This price is much lower than the price offered by Clear Water Toyota on eBay, which amounts to $865.00 including free shipping (best price on eBay).

Toyota Part World did not have the kit in stock and had to be pre-ordered. They’ve clarified this on their product page. Once you place an order for the Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit from Toyota Part World, it takes up to 3 business days for them to receive it from the closest Toyota Motor Sales parts hub (in this case, Portland, OR) and then ship it out to you. Depending on where you live, this can take anywhere from a total of 4 to 10 business days before you receive your parts. I placed my order on a Sunday evening and received my kit on Friday in the same week after placing my order, i.e. 4 business days. Service from Toyota Part World is expedient, shipping is reasonable and service is excellent. I received email updates from Toyota Part World as soon as my order status changed (i.e. from Pending, to Processing, to Shipped). Prior to placing my first order on their site, I submitted an inquiry asking them how long it would take to process products marked as pre-order/special order. Within minutes, I received a response.

Unboxing

The Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit arrived in one large rectangular Toyota marked box weighing in at approximately 30 lbs.  Tools are not included so you will need to source out the tools to proceed with the installation. I was surprised at the level of detail Toyota put into making this kit. For an add-on underbody ground effects kit (aka lip kit), you’d figure the pieces are installed via a few self-tapping screws and/or support brackets with double sided tape (as with the OEM Acura A-Spec underbody spoiler kit for the Acura RSX). The installation require that you first install the installation brackets onto the front and rear bumpers by adhering and then riveting them into place. After that’s done, the actual components of the Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit can then be snapped onto the installation brackets for a secure installation.

Parts Included

Use this check list to ensure that all of the parts are accounted for and intact:

Front Air Dam (T0319-000-11)

• Rivets, u-nuts, 10 mm bolts (AB0290-006)
• RH accent (T0305-200-CC)
• LH accent (T0305-100-CC)
• Installation bracket set (BP090-004)
  • RH, outer (T0309-200_1)
  • RH, inner (T0310-200_1)
  • LH, outer (T0309-100_1)
  • LH, inner (T0310-100_1)

Side Rockers

• RH cladding (T0249-200)
• LH cladding (T0249-100)
• Mud flap, LH (T0279-100)
• Mud flap, RH (T0279-200)
• Clips set (AB0446-000)

Rear Air Dam (T0296-000-XX)

• Rivets, screws, u-nuts and caps set (AB0290-002)
• Close-off panel, LH (T0274-100_1)
• Close-off panel, RH (T0274-200_1)
• Rear accent, LH (T0250-100)
• Rear accent, RH (T0250-200)
• Rear accent, Cavity (T0251-000)
• Installation bracket set (BP0290-001)
  • Center installation bracket (T0252-000_1)
  • Side installation brackets (BP0290-001)
    • RH, outer (T02750-200_1)
    • RH, inner (T0253-200_1)
    • LH, outer (T0275-100_1)
    • LH, inner (T0253-100_1)

Tools Needed

• Drill gun (preferably cordless)
• 4.5 mm or 5/32 size drill bit
• Masking tape
• Microfiber cloth
• Rivet tool (available online or at your local hardware store for as low as $5-$20)
• Short Phillips screwdriver
• Short flathead screwdriver
• Socket and Ratchet set with 10 mm socket

Pre-installation Notes

Begin this project by giving your Prius a good ole car wash. Since the Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effect kits require that you mount support brackets with double-sided tape directly onto the front and rear bumpers, it is imperative to execute the installation on a clean Prius free of dust and grime. The side rockers are fine without a wash. Once the car is cleaned, you can proceed to install the kit in any order you wish. I recommend starting with the front, sides and then rear.

I’ve separated the installation directions into three different parts, respective of the area of the Prius, so you can install the parts you want in any order that you are comfortable with and split the install into multiple days instead of doing everything in one day. I recommend starting with the front since it is pretty easy and will prep you with experience for a quick and seamless install when it comes time to installing the rear pieces (which is similar to to front but with added parts and hardware).

Between taking notes for this installation guide and photographing, it took me a total of four hours to install all three components. The side rockers installation took about 20 minutes per side, the front air dam installation took about 15 minutes per side and the rear air dam took about 1 hour. All in all, minus the photographing and notes, it would’ve taken me about 2.5 hours to complete the entire install.

Installing the Front Air Dam

Step 1

Start by wiping down the lower side of the front bumper where the RH front air dam attaches with a microfiber cloth to pick up any residual dusts unseen by the naked eyes.

Then wipe down the same area with the included alcoholic wipe (I recommend doing both sides as the included alcoholic wipe is small). The alcohol will evaporate quickly, so perform a quick and thorough job when using the wipe.

This step is important as it will get rid of unseen blemishes, such as oil, dust and/or body wax. For the sake of simplicity, we’ll start with the right hand side (RH). Once cleaned, remove the a plastic push pin and a plastic 10 mm Phillips screw-bolt from underneath the right hand side of the front bumper:

Step 2

Using the locating tabs on the installation brackets, align the outer right hand (RH) installation bracket onto the lower right area of the front bumper.

Step 3

Hold the outer installation bracket firmly against the bumper, ensuring correct alignment, as you peel off the the adhesive backing from the installation bracket. It’s probably better to have the red tape tabs folded UP instead of DOWN (as pictured) as the locating tabs may get in the way.

Step 4

Using the locating tabs on the inner right hand (LH) installation bracket, align the inner installation bracket with the front bumper and the outer installation bracket already adhered onto the front bumper from step 3 as illustrated.

Step 5

Using a 4.5 mm or 5/32″ size drill bit, carefully drill into the holes on the installation bracket and through your front bumper. You will be drilling seven holes total per side, including one on the side in the fender well using the bracket locating tab as a drill guide.

Step 6

Retrieve 6 rivets from the hardware bag and insert them into the 6 holes on the installation brackets you’ve just drilled. Be sure to insert the wide end first, leaving the long stem exposed as follow:

Step 7

Insert the long end of a rivet into your rivet tool and then press the handles of the rivet tool together. Be careful as you may inadvertently pinch your fingers while pressing down on the handles. This may require you to press repeatedly until you hear a pop sound and the stem (long end) breaking off. This should leave the installation bracket securely fixed onto your front bumper.

Step 8

Once the installation brackets are riveted to the front bumper, break off the locating tabs on the installation brackets and discard them.

Apply a strip of masking tape approximately 10 mm above the installation brackets to protect the front bumper’s paint when installing the front air dam part.

Each of the front air dams will be snapped onto the installation brackets in two steps; first the outer bracket and then the inner bracket. Align the air dam with the front bumper and side fender well. Then using gentle force, push the air dam part upward, then press the it inward against the front bumper with force and ensuring the tabs have cleared the bracket hooks. Finally, push the front air dam part downward against the front bumper to snap in position. This is harder than it looks and if you missed one or two hooks, you’ll need to start over. To disengage the hooks from the tabs, simply lift the air dam up and pull away from the bumper.

I have taken photos of what the installation process looks like without the front bumper.

Once the outer surface of the RH front air dam is snapped into position, continue with the inner surface of the front of the air dam. While holding the outer surface of the RH front air dam so it doesn’t disengage, press upward and inward (again, to clear the hooks on the installation bracket) and the press downward to snap the front of the air dam into position.

Once this is complete, double check to make sure the RH front air dam is secured into place firmly and that there are no gaps between the rubber weather seal and the front bumper.

Step 9

Install the u-nut from the hardware bag onto the hole on the fender well you’ve drilled in step 5:

Install the 10 mm bolt into the u-nut and tighten:

Re-install the plastic push pin clip and 10 mm bolt removed from underneath the bumper from step 1. Repeat steps 1 through 9 for the left hand side:

Installing the Side Rockers

The Prius PLUS Performance side rockers are without a doubt the easiest parts to install of the 7-piece package. It should take you no more than 20 minutes per side.

Step 1

Apply masking tape at the following areas of your front and rear doors to protect from inadvertent scratches when removing the OEM side rocker and installing the PLUS side rocker.

Step 2

Remove 4 plastic plugs from underneath the side rocker. These are disposable as the new hardware bags include  brand new plugs. If they are hard to budge, it’s okay to break/chip them out of the body.

Then remove 4 large push pins. Save these large push pins for later re-installation.

These are the approximate location of where the plastic plugs and large push pins are located:

Remember to retain the large push pins for later re-installation.

Step 3

Use a 10 mm socket to remove two 10 mm bolts from the front and underneath the front of the side rocker.

Step 4

Use a 10 mm socket to remove two 10 mm bolts from the back and underneath the back of the side rocker.

Remove the fastener from the OEM mud flap at the indicated location and discard the mud flap and fastener once they are free:

If the OEM mud flap is troublesome to remove, you can just cut it out with a garden pruner and pry out the fastener. The hardware bag includes a new replacement fastener.

Step 5

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove 2 Phillips screws from the side rocker located near the front and rear doors:

 

Step 6

Gently pull the OEM side rocker away from the vehicle. The side rocker is secured with push clips, so just start from the back and pull the rocker out until you reach the front. There is a total of 9 clips you need to disengage:

Step 7

Retrieve 9 new push clips from the hardware bag and install them into the PLUS side rocker in their corresponding holes:

Make sure the clips are snapped into place and float inside their holes without falling out. Once all 9 clips are securely on the PLUS side rocker, it’s time to re-install.

Step 8

Position the PLUS side rocker so that each of the 9 clips installed in step 7 are aligned with their corresponding holes on the vehicle. Starting from the center, push the clips into their holes with gentle force and work yourself outward. If done correctly, you should hear a snapping sound confirming successful engagement with the vehicle.

Step 9

Re-install the 2 Phillips screws that were removed from step 5.

Step 10

Re-install the 10 mm bolts that were removed earlier from the front of the OEM side rocker in step 3.

Step 11

Locate new mud flap from the PLUS side rocker package and then install using 10 mm bolts that were removed earlier from the back of the OEM side rocker in step 4. Slide the PLUS side rocker through the slit on the new mud flap and then install new fastener clip through mud flap and into the vehicle mount:

Step 12

Retrieve new plastic plugs from hardware bag and reinstall them into the installation positions as noted in step 2. Locate the large push pin fasteners that were removed earlier and re-install them into the positions noted in step 2.

Repeat steps 1 through 12 for the opposite side.

Installing the Rear Air Dam

The rear air dam is definitely the hardest part to install, relatively speaking. The installation is straight forward and easy once you’ve already installed the front air dams. What makes it hard is the number of parts for the rear air dam, including removal of the rear under body spoiler panels and installing the PLUS close-out panels require additional time and care to ensure a thorough job.

Step 1

Start by removing the OEM black plastic underbody spoiler panels beneath the rear of the car. You may need to jack up your car if your car is excessively lowered and/or if you cannot reach the parts by hand. My Prius is lowered on Prius PLUS Performance springs and I had no problem reaching and installing the parts. Start by removing the left hand side (LHS). There are three 10 mm bolts and two plastic retainer clips to remove:

After removing the hardware, pull the LH underbody spoiler panel off at the corner of the rear bumper:

Once the LH underbody spoiler panel is removed, you may discard it and the bolts. Keep the plastic retainer clips for re-installation.

Step 2

Next, remove the center underbody spoiler panel. This piece is disengaged by removing 9 plastic retainer clips at the following locations:

Pull the center underbody spoiler panel from its mounting points:

Once the center underbody spoiler panel is removed, you may discard it but keep the platic retainer clips:

Step 3

Remove the RH side underbody spoiler panel. The removal process is similar to the LH side panel as described in step 1 with one difference. There is one plastic wing nut holding the panel to the body that is removed by twisting. Follow the removal process as illustrated in step 1 to remove the RH underbody spoiler panel.

Discard the RH underbody spoiler panel and bolts, but keep the plastic wing nut for later re-installation.

Step 4

Wipe the entire lower rear bumper with a microfiber cloth, followed by the included alcoholic wipe. Proceed quickly as the alcoholic wipe evaporates rapidly:

Step 5

Retrieve the outer LH installation bracket and align it with the lower left side of the rear bumper using the locating tabs as guide. The locating tabs will conform to the curves of the rear bumper:

Make sure the red adhesive backing tabs are facing upward as illustrated above. Peel the tape while holding the installation bracket in place. Do not hold the bracket too tightly otherwise the adhesive backing tabs may break off (if this occur, you’ll need to remove the bracket and remove the adhesive backing from the broken tab.

Once the adhesive tabs are removed, press the installation bracket against the rear bumper to ensure adhesion.

Step 6

Locate the inner LH installation bracket and again, use the location tab as guidance.

Make sure the corner tab of the inner installation bracket is mated to the slot on the outer installation bracket, then remove the red tape tabs to adhere the inner LH installation bracket onto the rear bumper:

Repeat for the right hand side.

Step 7

Retrieve center installation bracket and position it between the LH and RH installation brackets. Ensure that there is a ± 2 mm gap between both:

Remove the red tape tabs and adhere the center installation bracket onto the rear bumper:

Step 8

Once all the rear installation brackets are adhered to the rear bumper, take a 4.5 mm or 5/32″ drill bit and drill through the rear bumper using the holes on the installation brackets as a drill guide. Be sure to hold the bracket firmly in place while drilling and drill perpendicular to the surface. You may want to start drilling at the center hole of each bracket to enhance alignment. Once all of the holes are drilled, retrieve the rivets from the hardware bag and insert them into the holes you’ve just drilled.

Using your rivet tool, rivet the installation brackets to the rear bumper.

Step 9

Using the location tab on the fender well on the outer installation bracket as a drill guide, drill a hole using a 4.5 mm or 5/32″ drill bit in both fenders. Drill through both the rear bumper fender and the fender well liner.

Step 10

Break off all the locating tabs from the installation brackets and discard:

Step 11

Apply a strip of masking tape 50 mm above the installation brackets, across the entire rear bumper, before installing the rear air dam components:

Step 12

Retrieve the LH rear air dam component and install it onto the LH side installation brackets by pushing up, then against the rear bumper ensuring clearance on all the tabs and then finally push the part down so that the tabs engage the hooks on the brackets. Double check for looseness and gaps.

Repeat for the RH side.

Step 13

Once both the LH and RH rear side air dams are installed, retrieve the center rear air dam. Using the installation process illustrated in step 12, install the center rear air dam onto the center installation bracket. Make sure the tabs are engaged to the hooks on the installation bracket. Check for side alignments and ensure a ± 2 mm gap between LH and RH side rear air dam parts.

Step 14

Retrieve the LH and RH rear close-out panels. Here is a comparison photo of the OEM side LH underbody spoiler panel vs. PLUS LH close-out panel:

Insert the LH close-out panel behind the rear LH side air dam and the center side air dam. Align the “boss” and the screw holes on the close-out piece to the holes on the LH side rear air dam. Also ensure that the rivet holes are aligned as well. When inserted correctly, the close-out panel sits flush with the air dam parts. See photo below for illustration:

Two of the rivet holes are on the LH and RH rear air dams, but the third one sits on the rear center air dam part at an angle. You may need to pull the center air dam to make sure it is aligned properly although if the close-out panel is flushed with the rest of the body, it should be aligned. Retrieve 3 rivets from the hardware bag and rivet the LH side rear air dam to the LH side close-out panel:

Ideally, you want to rivet the side rear air dams onto the close-out panels before installing the rear center air dam for clearance (realized this after reviewing the DIY).

Step 15

Once you’ve installed the three rivets (per side), install the 6.3 x 40 mm screw onto the open screw hole. This screw need to engage the pink plastic screw grommet on underside of the rear bumper.

Step 16

Install two plastic retainer clips that were removed from the factory LH side underbody spoiler panel in step 1 onto the following locations:

Step 17

Install a U-nut into the hole you’ve drilled in step 9. Make sure the U-nut is installed between the rear bumper fender well and LH side rear air dam:

Retrieve two 6.3 x 20 mm self-tapping screws and install them into the fender well through the LH side rear air dam and u-nut:

Repeat steps 14 through 17 for the RH side rear close-out panel except for one difference; there are no plastic retainer clips. Installation is done by reinstalling the plastic wing nut that was removed earlier in step 3:

Step 18

Once both close-out panels are installed, retrieve the plastic retainer clips removed from the factory underbody spoiler panels and re-install them into the following locations:

Step 19

Retrieve two plastic close-out clips from the hardware bag and install them onto the outer edges of the center rear air dam:

To ensure proper engagement, you may need to pinch the close-out panel and the center rear air dam part together before inserting the close-out clip. Tighten all hardware and do a final inspection on the installed kit to ensure that they all sit flush and securely. There should be no gaps between any of the rubber strips and the installed parts should not feel loose. Check that the brackets are engaged by lightly tapping and listening for looseness. Congrats, you’ve just installed your Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit by yourself using this guide!

Before and after comparison

Where to Buy

Toyota Part World – http://www.toyotapartworld.com

• $827.31, 2010 – 2011 3rd gen Toyota Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit
• $707.41, 2012+ 3rd gen Toyota Prius PLUS Performance Ground Effects kit