Center Brace

Just take a look under there.

I've designed and made special center braces for others who own the Prius "v" and have some in production for the 2010-2012 Generation III Prius.

 

Sure,


I can make a plate for the "c" that's simpler and less expensive than the one you show. I would need you to get the spacing between the bolt holes and the size of the threads. They are either M8x1.25 or M10x1.25. I would need to know, also, if there is enough clearance for the exhaust system, if you place a brace across the two bolt holes. Just use a straight stick across the holes. You're looking at about $60 including shipping for the complete custom made brace.

I can also prime it with a high grade of hard to get zinc chromate self etching aircraft primer, if you want to paint it to a finish color of your choice for $10 more.

It would be made of solid 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum.

Mope this helps,

Mike

 

What's the function of the brace?

 

to stiffen the chassis.

 

The exhaust system tunnel is "U" shaped like a piece of paper rolled without the edges touching. The edges are free to move and are only supported by the walls mafe of thin, sometimes ribbed steel. The brace "stiffens up" and closes the end of the "U" and keeps the ends from moving, making the structure act similar a FULL tube.

Just think; a piece of paper rolled without the edges touching is not very stable. When the edges are joined, the resultant "tube" is very strong.

Another example would be two pieces of wood hinged on the end. The two pieces are free to flop around. Attached another piece on each end, and you have a "triangle;" one of the most rigid structures available. That's why the pieces of a truss are light and weak, but they become very strong when the pieces are made into intrelocking triangles.

Hope this 'splains it.

 

The "v" and the GenIII have OEM braces with a degree of flex built in to achieve a soft ride. The "c" might not have included a brace to achieve the same "soft" ride, since chassis flex takes up some of the vigrations of the road and dampens it, before it is felt by the driver or the passengers.

While a lot of performance enthusasts like the rigid sports car feel, I perfer to stiffen the body of the passenger compartment, while leaving the suspension and "unsprung" components stock.

While all braces flex, some after market designs flex less than the OEM designs.

To me, it is a good compromise to keep good control, while maintaining most of the comfortable ride.

 

In March 2012, the Prius"c," as well as all Prius, began shipping with a "stiffened" OEM brace.

Check out the discussion in this discussion thread;

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ow-shipping-stiffer-center-chassis-brace.html

 

My c 4 with 15 inch alloys does not have one.

 

My PC III arrived at the end of March. where is that brace at? in the center of the vehicle? I will take a look tomorrow.

 

I was at a Toyota dealership, Monday and looked under a Yaris. That's the exact mount that I saw on the Yaris. The Yaris had a formed sheet metal brace that mounts on the two points that you show. The holes are either M8x1.25 or M10x1.25.

If you're interested, I can fabricate a special brace for you. To find out what bolt it takes, just go the the hardware store and ask for a standard M8 bolt, take it outside and try to screw it in the hole. If it's M8, that's the correct thread. If it's M10, the M8 bolt will go right through and be loose.

Hope this helps,


Mike

 

I just checked my PC. no brace. lol

I think the PC that arrive on May or June may have the new brace. I think my PC was built before March.

I will wait for some aftermarket brace? may be Tower Brace or Strut Bar too.

 

I have made many braces for the GenIII and the "v," and moany users have installed them.

If you "c" owners will work with me, I will make custon "box beam" braces for the "c," made before March 2012.

They will be very high quality out of special "structual" 6061-T aluminum, with no welds to weaken the "temepered" material, will bolt on and include the bolts. I just have to know the "exact distance" between the two tapped holes and the thread size of the bolts.
To make the standoff bushings, I would also need to know how much the tapped hole is below that side 'flange" around it. I have a full machine shop and years of experience in making specialized aircraft and spacecraft parts, haveing retired from that industry 12 years, ago.

Send me a PM, if you are interested.