Stiffening Plate - Any Problems?

So far the only down side has been that I had to wait a whole week and a half for it to arrive!

Seriously though, it's a great item and I really don't see any potential issues with it.

 

It takes maybe 10 minutes (being generous) to install the plate, and your car is completely undrivable during that time. After that you'll want to drive your car a lot since it handles so well.

 

No problems at all -- though in addition to being unable to drive your Prius during installation, you may be upset at how much pleasure you missed during the time you drove it BEFORE installation.

Seriously, this item makes such a difference, it is hard to believe. I am still puzzled how some find the difference only "subtle," or imply that noticed improvements are surely t he product of imagination or wishful thinking. Surely, they think, if such a small modification can make such a difference, Toyota would have done it themselves. Well, they didn't and it does!

Tracking, steering, even the function of the accursed OEM tires all are markedly improved.

 

I installed my stiffening plate about a month ago and agree with all of the above. Cornering, in particular, is greatly improved. Before the plate I used to slow down to a crawl in a turn. Just didn't feel safe. It felt like the rear of the car was going to fish-tail. With the plate installed I can slow down a little before the turn and accelerate into the turn and the car feels solid and safe.

 

I have had the plate on for six months and it makes a HUGE difference. I agree with all the above posts and really can't add much more myself. Get it, you won't regret it.

 

I've seen the stiffening plate listed here on PC. Is that the one people would recommend (or is there anyone one to purchase from elsewhere)??

 

I must be missing something. Have you ever been driving any car while something's being installed on it? While my tires were being replaced, it was undrivable, right?

 

Hence the joke, man.

Hey! Look! "Gullible" is written on the ceiling! :lol:

 

arrr arrrr arrr....well, don't give up yer day job.

 

No problems. Makes a noticeable difference. Will add the spoiler soon and see what, if anything, that does.
Carl

 

I have 06. It drives fine. How do I know if stiffing plate going to make any difference? Anyone with 06 tried it?

 

Yea my 06 doesn't feel like it would benefit from one...?

Is this plate only for 04-05?

 

Yea - I would like an answer to that one too!

 

There are several people and many posts about 2006's with the stiffening plate. Anyway, I'll go ahead an post here too.

I installed this on m 2006. It's fully compatible with it. There has been no change from the 2004-05 models with regards to the stiffening plate. I noticed a difference after I installed it. I highly recommend it.

 

I remember seeing sombody change a tire on the car while it was being driven. I think the late sixties or early seventies. They weren't going very fast though.

 

I want to jump in here and give my experiences with an installation that I just did today on a 2006. I spent a few hours at our local dealership and examined the 2006 with a fine tooth comb.

From what I could see there were no appreciable changes to the chassis/body compared to the countless 2004 and 2005 that I have seen.

Our BT Tech stiffening plate bolted right into position perfectly on the 2006 just like it does on the 2004 and 2005 model year cars.

Other than the small interior changes in the vehicle the only other change that I noticed that was slightly different was with the front windshield. It seems to be made out of either a thicker or differnt type of glazing. It might even have a thicker laminate layered between the glass for added sound rejection. Taking my hand and knocking on the windshield on the 06 vs my 05 definately had a different "ring" to it.

There was talk that Toyota changed the struts and spring rates as well but without comparing part nubers between the 04, 05 & 06 MY cars it would be difficult if not impossible to tell.

Applying pressure at all 4 corners and watching the amount of rebound was about the same for all model years.


Hope this helps..


Thanks!!

Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115

 

I've had my stiffening plate for about 2 months now and I noticed there is less body lean in corners and is slightly more responsive. The difference is probably most noticable with the stock Integritys but I have Toyo Proxies TPT on mine.

 

problems with the plate.. well no but a quick trip to Sears solved the problem I had with the bolts All those $100's of tools and I did not have one for these darn bolts.. do now..

The plate made a big change for the better for me... Toyota you reading... BT is hoping not

So if my Prius is totaled... I remove the plate, xmradio... to put on my Prius replacement..

 

Ill offer to "beta" test one on a 2006 for you