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Another Strut Tower Brace Option

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by mrbigh, Apr 5, 2009.

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  1. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    This was my solution and with no "clearance" problems. I used a Corolla aftermarket brace.
    I made my Strut towers installation almost 6 months prior Brian's BT tech, offering his innovative product for sale.



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    #1 mrbigh, Apr 5, 2009
    SFO and Frayadjacent like this.
  2. boppo

    boppo Active Member

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    Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text

    SWEET, where did you get it and what was the cost? Nice pics and I like this option better, looks like when you put the plastic back on it's all most invisible.
     
    #2 boppo, Apr 5, 2009
  3. CBarr31

    CBarr31 Active Member

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    Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text

    Mrbigh,

    It looks like that is a Megan Racing Front Upper Strut Tower Brace #MR-SB-TC001 for Corolla Model years 03-08 ... is that correct?

    If so that brace can be purchased for about $70 plus shipping at a few different websites it looks like. Another added bonus is that it can be ordered in blue, red, black or silver. Of course that is somewhat meaningless since as it was pointed out earlier it will be completely hidden.

    Did you have to make any modifications to the brace/car or did you just install it "right out of the box" as is? If that was the case this might be the way for me to go.

    Thanks for all the help.

    Chris
     
    #3 CBarr31, Apr 5, 2009
  4. boppo

    boppo Active Member

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    Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text

    It look like the wiper assembly was removed, I wonder it that was a big job.
    Thanks,
     
    #4 boppo, Apr 5, 2009
  5. CBarr31

    CBarr31 Active Member

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    Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text

    Boppo,

    There is a GREAT "How to" at the beginning of the post from Gadgetdad (Lee) on how to install the BT Tower Strut Brace. Thanks Again Lee!!!! The procedure would be the same for this brace.

    Boo also converted these instructions to a Microsoft Word format and posted it in Post #32 (for me) which you can download and print. Thanks to you too Boo!!!!

    PriusChat ROCKS!!!! :D:D:D

    Thanks again,
    Chris
     
    #5 CBarr31, Apr 5, 2009
  6. boppo

    boppo Active Member

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    Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text

    Thanks for the info.
     
    #6 boppo, Apr 5, 2009
  7. boppo

    boppo Active Member

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    How do you like the way it handles now that you have installed it?
    Thanks
     
    #7 boppo, Apr 5, 2009
  8. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

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    Well my friend, what is the info on this and how was the fit?

    Wayne
     
    #8 FireEngineer, Apr 5, 2009
  9. stellaf

    stellaf New Member

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    It is such a nice stuff and I really like it. Thank you so much for sharing.


    Stella
     
    #9 stellaf, Apr 6, 2009
  10. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    .
    "This post was transfered from another thread as general information."
    First let me tell you that I Installed this brace almost 3 years ago, so some details I do not have but I''m rolling the information I can remember.
    The bar was purchased through an eBay dealer for about 55.00 and in deed, there were some color selections on the finish, I choose blue. Today days may be other options but my selection was a "Flat T6 Al Brace, more rigid and less vibration that a cylindrical tube.
    CBarr31 is right, that's the merchandise information.
    The 2 tower brackets: These are the most important pieces and everything plays with physical clearance with the cowl, I had install these inverted, with the adjusting bolt facing down , and shimmed the brackets with SS washers in the towers bolts, the brackets do not have to be flat on the bubble, mine are installed with an inclination toward the engine, like an slightly slant.
    These brackets should be securely fasten with the original strut tower bolts, take a look at the pictures for guidance.
    Then you install and fasten the connecting rod, making sure that you do not push of pull the strut towers out of their original alignment.
    Re-install the cowl, the wipers assembly, the wiring harness, the plastic grill and then the wiper arms.
    Having all materials on hand ( the proper size washers), will not take you more than 1 hour from start to finish.
     
    #10 mrbigh, Apr 6, 2009
    2 people like this.
  11. Frayadjacent

    Frayadjacent Resident Conservative

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    Interesting. A quick search of Ebay finds several cheap brand Corolla braces, and a few Greddy braces.
     
    #11 Frayadjacent, Apr 6, 2009
  12. djhnd

    djhnd Junior Member

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    #12 djhnd, Aug 25, 2010
  13. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    #13 Boo, Aug 25, 2010
  14. Ray66

    Ray66 New Member

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    I got this one a few days ago ... Tanabe USA Inc. - Sustec Tower Bar

    My 06 seems to be more stable at high speeds. I also installed the G7 under stiff plate off of ebay--a China man from Riverside County makes these plates ... Both fit perfect and I feel more secure on LA's crazy freeways. My new 205/60/15 Mich Pilot Exalto feel good too...
     
    #14 Ray66, Aug 26, 2010
  15. Ray66

    Ray66 New Member

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    #15 Ray66, Aug 26, 2010
  16. Robertzerosmog

    Robertzerosmog New Member

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    Love the blue anodizing and the red @Ray66. It actually looks like a stock part. I never thought to add one to my Prius. I've added one to practically every other car I've owned and it does firm up the handling. Probably had the greatest impact on an 85 Mustang GT I used to own. That car had a pretty wobbly body.
     
    #16 Robertzerosmog, Aug 30, 2010
  17. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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    I tried a JDM Corolla brace. The brackets look identical to the above, but this one is a steel tube instead of an aluminum bar. There is no way I can make the cowl drain pan fit back in unless I were to cut it up. (which I'm not going to do)

    The cowl wont fit even with just the brackets installed, no matter how much I tilt them.

    Beware!
     
    #17 pEEf, Nov 6, 2010
  18. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Probably you should try this approach with similar product. Mine is 5 years old already.


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    #18 mrbigh, Nov 6, 2010
  19. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Where is that brace from?
     
    #19 patsparks, Nov 6, 2010
  20. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Hi Pat,
    truthfully I do not remember the dealer I purchased from but it's a Corolla 2005 after market accessory. At those days, was an eBay bargain.
     
    #20 mrbigh, Nov 6, 2010
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