Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order Now!

Need a car part and don't know where to get it or how to install it. Look here!
4wdchico
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by 4wdchico »

Good Idea putting it behind the A/F housing, looks nice.

So the brace mounts to the inside and rear bolt of the strut mount?
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by ARCHINSTL »

I brightened the photo somewhat for a clearer exposition:
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> > Left click on it to enlarge < <
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by St6fan »

4wdchico wrote:Good Idea putting it behind the A/F housing, looks nice.

So the brace mounts to the inside and rear bolt of the strut mount?
Correct.

So, I just got done installing the KYBs front and rear - much easier than I'd anticipated.

The car now handles like a total dream, a complete night and day difference. Even with the stock BMX wheels with cheap tires, the sudden increase in grip boarders on the unbelievable. Understeer is almost completely gone. Can't wait to get some new wheels on there with a wider track - should be incredible.

Of all the cars I've owned, these modifications have made the most difference to handling when balanced against time (four hours in total I guess) and $325 for the brace and shocks. My fiend who came out on the first test drive called the car The Slug on Rails. I like that! :)
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by ARCHINSTL »

Well - QUITE an endorsement! I am saving...
Did you use KYB Gas-Adjust or GR2 on the rear? I used GR2 (and all new sway and Panhard bushings) and am happy.
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by St6fan »

GR2. I wasn't told about another option when I ordered them at NAPA.

I'm going to get a quote for anti-roll bars and some sort of subframe lock - any idea where best to try further bracing on the car?
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by ARCHINSTL »

There are varying opinions here on GR2 v. Gas-Adjust. I went with GR2 after weighing advice (for MY type of usage) from Highlander, who has a set of each on his two Wagons. See https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php? ... cks#p42970
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by Petros »

St6fan wrote:I'm going to get a quote for anti-roll bars and some sort of subframe lock - any idea where best to try further bracing on the car?
It would be best if you can make the anti-roll bars adjustable so you can compensate for changing the spring stiffness later. The rear one is easiest to make adjustable since it uses a link at the end.

The front one also doubles as a drag strut, not the best way to locate the front wheel. It is simple, but most manufacutres, including Toyota, have long ago abandoned this type of suspension. I was thinking of working something up, once I am done with my 4age swap, that uses a separate drag strut that just pivots (like the rwd corolla uses) and than have a completely separate anti-roll bar, one that is adjustable. This means making new mounts for all these parts, but I thing it will improve both handling and the ride quality.

AS far as stiffening the subframe, you can make stronger diagonal braces that run from the frame to the cross member. These are pretty lightweight tubes right now, often they get damaged and or removed. the 2wd version does not have these braces. I have also seen a strut, similar to the strut tower brace, that goes from the inner lower suspension points, tying the left and right lower lateral link mounting points together. I do not know if this will reduce ground clearance, but it should stiffen the lower suspenion mount.
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by SynthDesign »

I got a few ideas. Hopefully, I'll see ya this weekend and maybe I can show ya what I'm thinkin.
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by CathodeRayTube »

I would also be interested in this...However my needs are probably going to be pretty different and il have to fabricate it myself or have somebody else custom make it. My plan was to have a strut brace like this, but also have it function as a support for a top-mounted intercooler for the turbo diesel engine...
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by peter_tuning »

му
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by garyfish »

Anybody know if these strut braces still available? I'm interested in purchasing one (definitely), maybe two.

I PM'ed St6fan a month ago, and no response... it's been about 2.5 years since he last posted in this thread, and 2+ years since there's been any activity at all on this topic.

:|
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by Petros »

St6fan moved from Port Townsend WA to California several years ago and I do not think he has been on the list since. You will have to fab your own, modify a strut tower brace that comes stock in an MR2 (it needs to be shortened several inches to fit in the Tercel), or find something else that is close and alter it to fit like I did (I found one from a Nissan at a PicknPull cheap, and I extensively modified it to make it fit).
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'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
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Re: Front Upper Strut Braces: Custom Fabricated: $125 Order

Post by SynthDesign »

Finding an AW11 (85-89 MR2) non sunroof sway bar is darn hard to come by now it seems. Ebay only it and never in a junk yard anymore.
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