Chassis Brace is a Prius MUST HAVE!

The brace is on, it was very easy, only difference is that my cars original bolts are 12 mm.

No time to drive it yet, can't wait, will report impressions.

 

So far, I think I love this thing...

 

All this sounds interesting, but after looking underneath my 07 Touring, I am not sure where the factory stiffining plate is located. How big is it, would you say, and is it the plate located just aft of the Cat converter? Sorry if I appear to be dense, but am certainly interested in any contraption to improve handling performance. Thanks

 

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii.../84539-skid-plate-2010-prius.html#post1183052
Here is a painful looking picture under a Gen II, (and a much less painful picture of a gen III) you can see the stock stiffening plate just ahead of the gas tank.

 

After taking a look at the original brace, I'm willing to give this a shot, especially considering the price. The factory brace does look very flimsy. It makes sense that a stiffer brace would be beneficial.

 

Well, drove into the foothills yesterday, drove on the freeway; verdict: I love this thing. Stability is improved, as well as cornering.

Thanks!

 

I have both Tanabe Under brace and Tower bar... I say great upgrade. Looks good also!! I love mine!

Tanabe USA Inc. - Chassis

 

I suspect that the Toyota brace was designed for and works in tension, the U shaped tunnel cannot get wider. What the aftermarket braces add is compression strength that the Toyota part lacks, the u shaped tunnel cannot close together.

I repeatedly felt my Prius handle oddly in sidewinds at freeway speed in the 6 months before I added the G7 brace. In the year since then, I have not.

 

Please forgive my lack of mechanical knowledge, but can somebody please answer my earlier questions? My brace should be coming either Tuesday or Wednesday! The torque question is the most important one to me.

Thanks, Chuck

 

u can rent a torque wrench at most tool rental stores. if not the answer is "good and tight"

 

Can you point out from the picture where the brace actually goes (and what part the brace replaces)? I've looked at the G7 prius brace on eBay and can't seem to match where the analogous part...

Also, as one member asked, do we really need to raise the car to install this? I dont have a jack. Thanks.

I'll post the ebay link again: G7 Performance Stiffening Plate upgrade stability Prius: eBay Motors (item 120634175370 end time Oct-19-10 19:26:50 PDT)

EDIT: Ok, I THINK I see it. Is it the little light gray bobby-pin looking piece in the middle of the car that goes perpendicular to that long central pipe, connecting the left and right side of the car? And if it is, you're telling me that THAT little thing is what's making the difference??!?!?

 

You mean to our right of the "L" bend and black fuel tank, but just left of the bigger round cylinder in the middle??

Lol, I know I sound like an idiot. Thanks agian.

 

And no, you don't have to lift the car to get at it. Just roll it over like in the picture above. Very easy access from there. ;-)

For the price I couldn't resist either, they're getting some good sales from this thread!

- D

 

Hey Don you bought the last one for $37!!! GRRRR....

Just kidding. I'm still contemplating, trying to find a friend who has some car jacks.

Interesting technique to use the side of a curb. The only problem is I dont want to draw attention to myself. Lol.

 

Mine shipped today. I'll post my reactions after installation. At the price $37 I couldn't justify not trying one, given the rave review by Azipod.