Toyota Sienna Accessories & Modifications

jeprox

my verdict is:
- not easy to install fogs on sienna
- buy good quality fogs or you'll regret it later
- buy those slim rectangular type, they fit the best on the sienna

my fog lights are HELLA, slim rectangular type. made in china or taiwan. they're the fog/driving light in one unit. brightness is good but the whole unit itself is junk! it looks good and all but less than one year, the lens inside which was painted chrome started to peel off! right now, the whole unit is starting to rust!

if you're gonna buy fog lights, dont make the same mistake i did and that's buying those fog/driving light combo! dont buy it unless its made in germany or usa or canada! i've had HELLA before (made in germany) and quality was excellent.
PIAA or bosch or hella, as long as they are made in germany then its good.

ccancio

Jeprox,
Do we have a firm metal base to install the fog lights on the Sienna? How did you attach yours?

The reason I asked this was because I installed a Bosch foglight set on my 1985 Honda Accord a long long time ago and had only the rubber/plastic bumper to mount it on. So each time I was idling the light emitted by the foglights would jitter on the road.
Thanks for your advice...
-C-

jeprox

i drilled holes on the metal bumper frame. if you peek down and behind your bumper, you will see the white foam piece and then the metal frame. that frame is curved so it's hard to position the lights/brackets! you also have to find a bolt strong enough so it wont strip when you bolt down the brackets. i had so much problem finding a bolt strong enough to do this. coz the bumper frame is so hard, i stripped so many bolts trying to bolt down the brackets.
i also had to cut parts of my bumpaer to make the lights fit properly.

before you buy anything, look at the are where you plan to install the lights. make sure you have the proper bolts and that you can secure the brackets properly. so far, i've only seen about 2 sienna's with aftermarket fogs... i think this is mainly coz its so hard to install them! i've seen people use strong double sided tape instead of bolt-on brackets as well. those type are not recommended, specially if you live in an area where it snows/rains a lot!

i find that PIAA makes excellent fog lights and bosch but PIAA is so expensive. i have yet to see a small sized HELLA that is made in germany. only the big sized HELLA's are made in germany.

wheezer02

Anybody find performance shocks/struts for an '00 Sienna?

Seems KYB makes the front struts, but can't seem to find rears.

How close are they to the Camry pieces?

Now I'm really reaching, but anybody know of sway bars that will fit???

Thanks!

dave2001auto

It there any good secure cargo cage, so that stuff can be piled higher than the rear seat and secure it? I don't want a bunch of stuff flying down on the kids in the rear seat.

The interior cargo space on the TS is small, but the wife like the TS better than the HO and the seats and noise level were the deciding factors.

blackr

I am looking to get an auto dimming mirror for my 2003 Toyota Sienna. Is this something I could install (I'm mechancially inclined), or is this best left to professionals? Also, am I better off getting the official Toyota part (discounted from the web), or going with some other manufacturer?
Thanks,
Rob

basement_trout

I just got my 2003 LE and really would like an overhead DVD player so that the kids in the third seat can see the movie (I've read the posts that some people have put a portable in the center or on the console but I can't see anyone in the third row really being able to enjoy it as much). Has anyone had any luck putting one of these in themselves. If I don't get a LCD/DVD-player in-one I will have a hard time finding a place for the DVD player (I don't want it under any of the removable seats since I will also be using this car to haul stuff every now and then. I don't think I can afford the indash player -- plus I don't think I could get the steering controls to work with it.

dsattler

We have a console with a 9" TV in between the front seats and all four of our children (two in middle row, two in back row) seem to be able to see it just fine.

mazdabill

I'd like to replace the stock rear shocks with aftermarket sport shocks. In post #206, wheezer02 asked a similar question. Anyone find anything out there?

For that matter, has anyone found anything besides the KYB GR2 for the fronts?

I'm told that the rear struts are gone in my 60k mile 2000 Sienna and that caused the tires have worn adversely.

ssrieder

Anyone have suggestions for where to buy a cargo net and center console box for my '03 Symphony? I really don't want to get them from the local dealers - drove 2 hours to get the van to avoid buying from the bums in town. I like the idea of OEM parts, but not OEM prices.

Thanks

fvp

I have the cargo net from Toyota and it works fine. The dealer threw it in as part of the deal.
The center console is another story. I asked the same question on another thread [I believe it was the "how much did you pay" one] and I got a couple good suggestions.
1. Walmart has one for about $25 - two people recommended that one. I looked at them and didn't go for it - it was made of hard plastic and looked cheap.
2. There is a site called improvementscatalog.com that has one for about $70 plus shipping. If you go to outdoors section, then auto & travel, you will see a picture of both the high and low version. I was tempted at this one - the only drawback is it just sits on the floor with no attachments of any kind. I can see this turning into a projectile in the event of an accident.
3. The Toyota dealer has one for $155 plus $60 for installation. The parts department sent me a picture and I ordered it - it will be delivered in a couple of days. The service department needs to install it because it is secured to the floor of the van. That's what I was looking for.
The Toyota one is obviously the most expensive by a long shot but I can't bring myself to spend all this money for a beautiful van only to put some cheap plastic center console in it.
If you are interested, I'll let you know how it looks installed.

mayerofrf

Having the video system in the center console is a good idea unless you have people in the 3rd row seats. For an all-in-one overhead unit, I would suggest the Audiovox VOD806. This has a built-in DVD player, a 7" screen, built-in TV tuner, IR tranmitter for wireless headphones, on-screen display. Best bet is to have it installed at an audio specialty store. Also they make a nuber of different sized screens.

Check it out: http://www.audiovox.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/product_main- page.d2w/input?prrfnbr=1209803

fvp

I am in the process of researching video systems and the Audiovox is one we are considering. Are you pleased with the screen size, picture quality and the units overall performance? We are also looking at Rosen and AcceleVision - did you consider these brands and why did you settle on the Audiovox?
Where did you place the DVD player? I am buying the center console from Toyota and plan on installing the unit inside. Any suggestions?
Thanks for your input.

mayerofrf

There's a number of different companies out there that sell really good video systems and a lot of stuff out there that's crap. I used to sell the Audiovox products a while back and I'm kind of partial to it. However both Rosen and Accele make great stuff too. I liked the AVX model that I mentioned before because it has the DVD player and the TV tuner built in to overhead unit itself so it's up off of the floor. Use the external outputs to an RF modulator and you can play the movie's audio through the factory audio system. Plus it has the capability for AVX's wireless headphones. The 8" LCD has a good picture, but I would like a bigger screen myself. AVX makes a number of different sized LCD screens, both in flip down and stationary, even for the back of the headrests. But then you have the issue of where to mount the VCR or DVD player. That's why I like the all-in-one flip-down version...nothing to trip over or kick.

Eventually I will have one of these myself. I had a hard enough time trying to convince my wife that we need a home DVD player.

aaaedgarpoe

As everyone may know, the most frequesnt way to die is a front on collision. So, to that effect, where can I get a 600 pound or more extra front bumper/grill added on?

My idea is to make a front end collision with a Chevy Surbaban and my 2004 Sienna a fight between equals. If this can be done, I will be very happy since these Chevy Surbans scare me, expecially the ones lifted an extra 10 inches higher and having an added front bumpber guard with big steel tubes and beams.

stever

That sort of modification would affect your crash crumple zones and likely make any collision worse. I think most aftermarket SUV bull bar makers warn that they will affect how the car was designed to crash, and may interfere with the operation of the airbags. There's a lot of liability risk to the manufacturer who builds one so you may have a bit of trouble finding such a critter.

Are you sure you're not an Odyssey owner trolling in here?

Steve, Host

aaaedgarpoe

Not sure how you deduce I might be an Oddesy owner. I'm not.

I know for some vehicals(Hummers, Mercedes S class, BMW) there are after market 'ram' bumpers that weigh about 6000 pounds -- these are from makers of bullet-proofing autos.

Thanks.

hexn

You sure it's 6000 pounds? the vehicle itself only weighs 4120 lbs, if you add a front bumpber that is 1 and half times of the weight of vihecle itself, it won't move, that's just physics. Not to mention if the head is so heavy, the whole thing will tip over.

stever

I'm curious because your have the same name, zipcode, etc. of "aaa_edgar_poe."

Please check our Member Agreement, esp. the part about only having one user name.

Steve, Host

aaaedgarpoe

I would have used the other name, but I forgot the password.

Actually, I'm thining of buying a new vehical, but have not decided between a Surbaban, or Sienna. I want to be safe, but also need easy accessability for older people. The Sienna ramp van that comes out in June might be just the thing, but the Surbabna has an extra 1700 pound to it than the Sienna, so its safer in a collision. I was wondereing if the Surbarbna can be lowered about 4 inches to reduce roll-over since it only has three stars on the NHTSA rating.

How in the world did you remember what aaa_edgar_poe said, unless your the rain-man.

stever

Click on anyone's profile and you can see their last 5 posts. You've been hanging out with the Odyssey crowd, so I got curious when you came to this Sienna board and started asking about 600 pound bumpers. I wasn't sure you were serious :-)

I think there's a "Lost My Password" link on the main Town Hall page if you need it next time.

Steve, Host

gerritm

Can anyone tell me where in the U.S. that Toyota Sienna's are made? More specifically is there a mid-west location.

G. Marshall
gerritstan@yahoo.com

Thanks for any help.

blandfordm

The 2004 Sienna is made at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. (TMMI) in Princeton, Indiana. All Sienna's prior to this model year were made at their Georgetown, KY plant.

x10guy

Does anyone know how hard it is to install an aftermarket overhead LCD display? I've found a couple that are under $200. (the largest one is 7.2") You have to provide your own video source but it has 2 video inputs.

Is installation on a 1999-2003 Sienna very hard or should that only be left to professionals?

blandfordm

I believe there are some holes in the floor board near the 2nd row seat on the 2004 Sienna. Does anyone know of something ready made to fill the holes- other than buying carpet and cutting it yourself?

socal4

Yeah, I was wondering about this too. The models I have looked at didn't have the carpets in and I was wondering if the carpets cover this. Does anyone know if they do ? If not maybe an extra floor mat could be purchased to cover the aisle between the second row seats ?

LDegrelle

I have recently migrated my purchasing plans towards the minivan crowd when I saw how comparable in price they were (I would get the CE 8-passenger with option 3). The one thing I hate the most about modern cars is their chincy bumpers. I had those tubular bumper guards all picked out for whatevr SUV I was going to get (the subtle ones not the obnoxius ones). My last three cars were all built in the 80's so I'm kinda new to this 'plastic bumper with packing foam core' stuff.

Anything I can do to prevent those dings would be great. Any ideas out there besides prayer and clean living?

Thanks!

CindyM

Anyone have an idea whether features such as Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and Brake Assist can be added to the '04 Sienna sometime down the road? Or do these kinds of things need to be installed at the plant during the building of the vehicle ?

Pros and cons of these features in general?

Pros and cons of adding them later?(if they can be.) Thanks!

blandfordm

I don't believe any of those features can be added on at the dealership and must be installed at the factory. But I haven't asked anyone. Here's some info on what you asked:

Traction Control: helps control front-to-back loss of friction during acceleration. For more information, read the article by Scott Memmer at:
http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/articles/46352/article.ht- ml

Vehicle Stability Control System: increases traction during potential side-skidding situations. For more information, read the article by Scott Memmer at:
http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/articles/45992/article.ht- ml

I couldn’t find anything on Electronic Brake Assistance or Variable Assisted Steering. Anyone know anything about these features?

CindyM

Thanks for the links, they're both very good articles. Living in Southern California, I guess one bases the decision on how comfortable one feels on the freeway with or without these features during the rainy season. It's actually a moot point for me now, though, as my '04 Sienna doesn't have these features. I'm sort feeling like I dropped the ball on that one...

blandfordm

Anyone have suggestions on what is the best (most capacity for the cost) thing to buy to add cargo capacity to a 2004 Sienna (e.g. topper, trailer hitch and trailer, swing gate...). And if so, the best place to get the suggested item?

As far as a topper for the roof rack, the roof rack on the 2004 Sienna says 150 pound limit on it and I would think that a topper would also have a negative effect gas mileage due to poorer aerodynamics. But, I assume a trailer would give you even worse gas mileage.

haisenthil

I bought Toyota Sienna LE +BI option.
I am now exploring to add a good overhead monitor with DVD player. But it has a option of rear audio control unit on the top in between front and 2nd rows... I am not sure if adding overhead monitor
without loosing the read audio control unit, is possible.. Did any one of you gone through it. Please put forward your suggestion and recommendation on which make is good

Thanks in advance
-Senthil

bakelly11

The dealer told me they could not do it, without loosing the audio control unit.

They checked with the place that installs their DVDs and found out that they could install units into the back of the driver and passenger headwrests.

They told us it would be about 2,000.00.

We've decided that at some point, we might get a portable DVD that attaches to the seats instead, or hangs between the seats. I just don't think we would get 2,000 dollars worth of use out of a DVD player, since its main reason for use would be long trips. For us, that's only 2-3 times a year.

Good luck with your decision.
Bev

shued

Money is one issue. Portable is another issue.
At daily drop-pick up, we will never use the
DVD player. Only at long trip of vacation,
then we need DVD player for kids. Thus,
we need DVD player about two times per year.
If we buy portable DVD player, we can use it
on airplane/airport too. For the safety, it should
be tightly hold on the van. Now my concern is, the
power outlet of van is 12 DC, on the market, does
there has portable DVD player can use 12 DC outlet?

haisenthil

Hi
Thanks Beverly and shued.Good suggestions. I will opt for portable DVD player.

Shued: Sienna 04 has 110V power outlet near 3rd row. I guess you can use it for portable DVD player.

Thanks
=Senthil

kgnw1

Only if you have DVD installed from the factory. Otherwise you just have (3) 12v DC outlets.

kmead

There are many 12v Dvd players out there, some come with a screen and others don't. I chose one that doesn't and can run on either 12 or 120volts. I use PS1 flat screens which have separate speakers. I bought my DVD player by Koss for 79, 2 PS1s with flat screens for 149 each for a total of 380. I also created two cables and use 3 Y split cables to get the signal to each PS1, we also picked up two cases that allow the PS1s to hang from the seat in front so it isn't in the childs lap. I use an inverter to create the 120v the PS1s need (I chose not to buy the 30 12v adapters).

This gives my kids the chance to watch a movie, or play a PS game. It takes about 5 minutes to install and made our trip to VT last year a pleasant quiet experience. Should any part fail, it will be easy and inexpensive to replace or upgrade. I am intrinisically cheap, and cannot justify having a more expensive entertainment system in my car than I have in my house. Good luck.

bakelly11

Yes, I agree with everyone about the portability issue. The other thing I like is that its not just locked into this van. I can use it in any other car I choose to use or buy. It won't be sold when this van goes.
I also like the idea that if it breaks, I can simply get another one.

I'm also thinking that when on vacation, if the kids are in the middle of a movie, I can get them out of the car by telling them they can finish it inside the hotel room. I can definitely see a temper tantrum coming on if we arrive to our destination in the middle of a movie. (Especially with my 4 year old.)

Good luck to everyone (portable or not).
Bev

pmoskal

Instead of spending money on the DVD, how about a supercharger for your Sienna. Toyota has one available that will give you noticeably more horsepower and torque. Its expensive , $3500 not including installation. But if you're like me that has an older model year Sienna like the '98 with the older model engine (non VVT-i), and if you've money to burn, then I'd go for the Supercharger and have fun with it ...

dave2001auto

Dear Kmead, What's a PS1 and where do you buy one (or in your case two). I just got a 7 inch screen from Frys Electronic, but haven't thought of a way to mount it between the seats.
Dave

bakelly11

I didn't buy the cordless headphones when I just got my LE #7. What are my choices on headphones for the rear audio system? Is this something I can get from Radio Shack, or should I go back to Toyota?

I'm still trying to figure out how to use this rear audio system. Once I figure that out, I think I'd like to go get the headphones.

Thanks,
Bev

blandfordm

Head phones from Radio Shack or just about anywhere should work if you use head phones with wires. If you want wireless head phones, the owner's manual says you may have trouble getting reception in the 3rd row seats and of course, recommends using the ones from Toyota. But, the owner's manual also suggests using motor oil and just about anything else that you could possibly need for your car from Toyota. They have a picture in the owner's packet of the extensive line of Toyota products available. I am surprised they don't have Toyota air for your tires.

If the passengers in your 2nd row seats are toddlers or very small children, there are advantages and disadvantages to head phones with wires. Disadvantages: kids could put the wire in their mouths (as ours often does) and wires are dangling down from the ceiling. One advantage is that when your child is all buckled up, takes off the head phones, and drops them, even while buckled in the front seat, you can reach for the wire, and pull the head phones up to hand them back to the kid. Wireless head phones would probably be nicer.

We use head phones with wires because we already had a set that we really never used in our home, but are putting to good use with our toddler in our van. We mostly use them for a portable video cassette player that we bought from Circuit City for under $300. I liked that option a lot better than spending $1500 for the DVD that you can get with the van. With the head phones, our toddler gets to hear Dora, Bob the Builder, Blues Clues or whatever she wants, and we get to listen to whatever we want with the speakers. It is great to be listening to music on the speakers without her complaining that she is bored and every once in awhile, hear her break out laughing at something she thinks is funny, but we are otherwise oblivious to.

dawnk1

Any advice (and web links) welcome regarding where to find aftermarket ventsheilds, bug deflectors (or bras) and mud flaps for 04 Sienna LE (Silver). Have been reading the postings and checking some websites but not finding much of anything listed for the '04 Siennas and don't know if the '03 stuff might work since they redesigned the van.
Also need a hitch! Didn't want to get this stuff thru the dealer (usually overpriced and I didn't want to increase the final cost)!
Now I'm wondering if I should have since it seems the AM manufacturers haven't caught up with the current model.
Your advice please. . . .

kmead

Sorry, a PS 1 is a Playstation 1 and can be acquired at any Toysrus, best buy, compusa, circuit city or Frys I am sure. Its a small version of the original playstation and can be had with a decent 5" screen that has integral speakers. It also has a input jack for AV using a mini plug. I spliced a mini plug cord to RCA jacks and ran that to a portable DVD player. Works great and the price was right.

kmead

Yes there are only limited parts available or listed at the moment, but I am sure that will change as the number of Sienna's produced increases. The following are the ones I have run across:

http://www.toyotawarranty.com/Security.asp

http://store.yahoo.com/romaniatoyotaparts/index.html

http://store.yahoo.com/romaniatoyotaparts/index.html

http://store.yahoo.com/romaniatoyotaparts/index.html

http://store.yahoo.com/romaniatoyotaparts/index.html

dawnk1

Thanks - romania doesn't seem to specify the '04 model on the products yet - but I could simply call - what I want most is Ventshields for the windows and definately a Hitch!

kwendling

Advice to Dawn message # 245. I ordered my hood protector from my dealer an original Toyota part for 2004 models at a price of $97.00. I also placed an order for all weather mats for $87.00. The dealer told me it would take about 2 to 4 weeks. It's been 2 weeks today. Don't mind the wait however, I would rather get the right part that fits. You can check for all the accessories for the 04 models in www.toyota.com. Find what you want and give your dealer a call.

spooky04

None of my usual parts stores list a 2004 model in their oil filter parts guides. Does anyone know the model number for a brand name oil filter to fit the 2004 Sienna / 2004 Lexus RX330?

Thanks in advance.

mayerofrf

Does anyone know of an aftermarket transmission cooler that'll work on an '01 XLE?? The towing package that was offered on the Sienna was pretty pathetic (stock suspension, stock radiator). The dealer told us that the lines running from the tranny to the stock radiator were an upgrade. A joke if you ask me. Is there anyone who has installed an aftermarket cooler in front of the condensor that was able to run the lines through the core support w/o modification? Summertime temps here are easily in the triple digits for 6 months at a time and automatic transmissions don't last long around here.

Any help?

sbrandon

http://www.portabledvdstore.com/index.html