Before I started modifying my Prius for Overlanding, Prius Overlanding… wasn’t a thing! Nobody even considered pushing the platform into true overlanding territory. Now, you see Prii all over the internet that look eerily similar to my builds — and manufacturers pumping out parts that started as my brainchild. These aren’t just upgrades; they’re milestones that redefined what a Prius could be.
Generation 3 Low Profile Roof Rack
I first introduced the low profile roof rack to the Prius community on May 24, 2021, followed by updates on July 9, 2021, and November 3, 2021. At the time, no one thought about mounting racks this way on a Prius. My design allowed for improved aerodynamics, low wind noise, and full roof functionality without that bulky “off-the-shelf” look.
Read the originals:
- May 24, 2021 – Toyota Prius low profile roof rack is almost done
- July 9, 2021 – Low profile roof rack for the Toyota Prius is here
- November 3, 2021 – Prius C with a low profile roof rack rooftop awnings and Harbor Freight weatherproof protective case
PriusOverlanding product: 2010–2015 Gen 3 Toyota Prius Roof Rack – Low Profile
Generation 3 Lifting Springs
Long before “lifted Prius” was trending, I was fitting my Gen 2 and Gen 3 with lifting springs. It changed stance, clearance, and capability — making trails and rough terrain possible. Today, you’ll find countless Prii copying the same setup.
Generation 3 Metal Engine Splash Shield
Plastic shields were a weak point. I replaced mine with a precision-cut metal engine splash shield, giving the Prius real protection against rocks, road debris, and harsh conditions. That idea is now standard among serious Prius builders.
Fun fact: the Prius skid plate currently on the market did not originally include an oil service access cutout. When PriusOverlanding.com released its metal engine splash shield, it came with that feature from the start. It was only after Prius owners who had purchased the other shield began voicing that they wished theirs had the same oil service access that the skid plate was redesigned to include an oil cutout door. That kind of pattern makes you stop and think. It raises a fair question about how innovative a company really is when so many of its “new” improvements seem to show up only after someone else already laid the groundwork.
PriusOverlanding product: 2010–2015 Toyota Prius Metal Engine Splash Shield – Gen 3
Amazon gear: Fastener kit, Impact driver
Generation 3 Subframe Spacers
When I released my subframe spacer design on January 27, 2022, and followed up on December 28, 2024, it was the missing piece for getting a lifted Prius to drive like stock. The spacers realigned suspension geometry, eliminated stress points, and made aggressive lifts practical.
Read the originals:
- January 27, 2022 – Subframe spacers for lifted Toyota Prius
- December 28, 2024 – Why subframe spacers are essential for lifted Toyota Prius models
PriusOverlanding product: 2010–2015 Toyota Prius Subframe Spacers – Gen 3
Generation 3 Elevated Receiver 2" Trailer Hitch
I designed my hitch with an upward angle to eliminate the need for a hitch riser, improve departure angles, and reduce unnecessary flex. This is the kind of detail you only truly understand if you have driven a Prius loaded down with cargo in the rear and suddenly realized the hitch starts scraping everywhere, especially if the rear of the car is not lifted. I had to come up with a solution that would allow Prius owners to avoid adding extra hardware just to achieve the same kind of clearance and functionality I had already built into my own setup. That design made towing and cargo solutions far more capable on a Prius.
What has been especially inspiring is seeing larger hitch manufacturers begin to adopt the same kind of design thinking. Watching companies first release a trailer hitch without gussets or other key strength features, only to later begin highlighting those very same improvements after I had already publicly pointed them out, has been a strong reminder that the way I think, the way I operate, and the way I design is more innovative than I originally gave myself credit for. I cannot say it enough—it really makes you stop and think. What does it say about a company when it keeps arriving at the same solutions only after another company and influencer has already developed them for the Prius? More than anything, it makes me proud of the work I have done.
PriusOverlanding product: 2010–2015 Toyota Prius Trailer Hitch – 2 Inch Receiver – Gen 3
Generation 3 Front Crash Bar Hidden Winch Mount
Nobody imagined a winch on a Prius — until I tucked one behind the crash bar. It’s discreet, functional, and has pulled me (and others) out of situations you wouldn’t think a Prius could survive.
PriusOverlanding product: 2010–2015 Toyota Prius Winch Front Bumper Hidden Mount – Gen 3
Amazon gear: Winch, Synthetic rope kit
Generation 3 Hood Ditch Pod Light Brackets
I made my own brackets to mount ditch lights cleanly at the hood line, giving unmatched visibility at night while keeping a factory-like fitment. Another first for the Prius world.
Every one of these products started as an idea in my head — no blueprint, no precedent. Now they’re staples in the Prius overlanding and off-road scene, copied by others and sold by manufacturers who had never even thought about these possibilities before I put them into reality.
I wrote this page so that no matter how hard people try to shut me out or act like I was not one of the people who pioneered these waters, the internet can still hear what I have to say, see the timeline for itself, and look at the proof in the pudding.