Anyone here have tried both? If so, which one do you think is better? I'm about to install one for my 2010 which has serious swaying issues. I already installed the TRD sway bar in the rear but it did not fix my swaying so I'm looking to upgrade the suspension a little more to see if it helps. I'm also going to install a chassis brace. Cusco or tanabe? Ty!
It is a hollow bar. 951 540 ALHD - Vehicle Results Tanabe USA Inc. - Sustec Tower Bar Based on these web sites, the Tanabe is cheaper then the Cusco.. Cusco Type OS Front Strut Bar for 2009-2015 TOYOTA Prius (3rd Gen) ZVW - ProParts USA $180 Evasive Motorsports | PH: 626.336.3400 Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm PST: Tanabe Strut Tower Bar (Front) - Toyota Prius 10-13 $119 Either one will add bling to under your hood.
Tom’s Strut bar is the best. It’s one solid piece so limits flex more then Cusco or Tanabe. Hard to find, you can try Hybridpit or keep an eye out on EBay. I just picked one up for myself. Expensive but works.
I thought about it, but when I saw that it blocks the underhood fuse panel, I changed my mind. Just what I want, to be on the side of the highway with a blown fuse and not have a ratchet set on hand to remove a strut tower bar. The risk to reward doesn't make sense for me. Now granted, it's pretty rare that I've had a blown fuse, but I'm sure that if I did, it would be in the rain at 3AM with my wife and kids in the car.
I have the Cusco bar and it doesn't block the fuse box at all. Combined with the TRD rear sway bar and braces, the car actually handles very well for what it is!
My husband's and my retired aircraft engineer friend helped me install mine without having to remove the wipers and the wiper cowl.
Very nice!. But if you use a power drill, it only took me an extra 15 minutes to remove all the stuff to get to the strut tower AND reinstall. It was pretty easy.
Thank you for the inputs. I think I will go with the cusco since it doesnt block the fusebox and isnt as bulky as the tanabe.
Make sure you get the one marked LHD for left hand drive. The one made to the right hand drive Prius will not work well in a left hand drive Prius.
Once a while eBay has a 15% coupon, use that to bring the price of a Cusco STB down to $153. That's what I did.
So you're saying these strut bars are useless? Im actually looking to use it because my prius has swaying issues specially at high speed. Combine these struts with a new sway bar links, and new tie rods. Im hoping it will cure my swaying issues. And also improve handling.
I drove my friend's old 1998 Mazda MPV mini van, before I drove my Prius v. The OLD MPV felt a lot better than the v. After I had both the strut bar and the center brace, both made by CUSCO installed, there was a definite improvement in feel and handling. Clearly, Toyota installed three braces on the Gen 4 in 2016, instead of the one on the Gen 3 including the v.
I am say a solid strut bar is going to give you much more then one with attached mounting that can flex.
