Strut Tower Brace for 2010 Prius: CUSCO or Tanabe?

just noticed this thread after posting on a different thread on the same issue. The Tanabe rep told me on the phone that they have revised the tower strut bar so that the clearance issue has been resolved. Also, the bar is now $118 msrp although juicedhybrid.com says it's $129 for some reason.

Anyone have any experience with these bars?

 

I went for the Cusco under brace. It produced a noticeable improvement in the handling - much firmer in the corner.
It was easy to install once I raised the car on ramps.

 

Summit,
The Tanabe bar looks good and works great!

 

I like the red color bar on my engine bay. Tanabe tower bar is cheaper too right?

 

I installed the Tanabe STB and the Tanabe 2-pt underbrace on my V. I am very pleased with the handling - I see considerable improvements in crosswinds at highway speeds. I am not very happy with the STB blocking the fuse box. I pulled the cover off completely and fashioned a neoprene "cover" (more like a sheet that folds down over the edges) that I hold in place with zip-ties. Ugly? Yes. But there was no way I was pulling off the STB to access the fuse box, and even if I left the back of the OEM cover unlatched, It was a major PITA (near impossible) to get the cover off even still, and harder yet to get it back on. That's the only buyer beware item I can share about the Tanabe STB though. VERY pleased with the handling now.

Ordered mine from optionsauto.com
Reasonable shipping fees, lowish prices. Both items were backordered for about 1.5 to 2 months, but they finally came in and didn't charge me until they shipped.

 

The Tanabe is now $118 MSRP on the official Tanabe website. Juicedhybrid.com for some reason is selling for $129. I called and spoke to a rep who said to email the owner Paul who should be able to sell it at the $118 price.

 

BTW, does the Cusco tower bar cause the same problem as the Tanabe in terms of blocker the fuse cover?

 

No, but it's my understanding that the Cusco is designed for the right-hand drive Prius (Japan) and there is a conflict with the brake fluid reservoir in LHD cars. I think someone on here had their BF reservoir hanging with zip-ties to make the Cussco STB fit. I figured with the price of the Cusco significantly higher, and both requiring some form of modifications, I should go with the Tanabe. Honestly, they both function the same once the hood is closed.

Also, optionsauto.com has the Tanabe STB for the 2010 Prius for $107.
http://www.optionsauto.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TNB-TTB153F

2-pt underbrace is $88.25
http://www.optionsauto.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TNB-TUB153F

 

From Tanabe's website. Make sure the car is raised during install for it to actually be functional

 

Thanks for this reminder, not quite sure why unloading the strut upper mounts and towers have to do with improving performance but since the manufacturer advises, I will do it.

I will install the brace after the weather improves around here, soon I hope. My thoughts to purchase and install NF210 springs at the same time may delay the installation further.

 

I have all three - Tanabe's strut brace & forward underbrace, and the Cusco rear brace. The vehicle feels more rigid, and I have virtually none of the squeaks and noises in the cabin about which others complain.

I just checked my strut brace for preload. If you follow HAWAIIANBUILT's instructions found elsewhere in this forum, there's no mention of preloading. I raised the front & put in jackstands on the sides, then I loosened the brace end bolts. I could get them out fairly easy, so the brace wasn't really tight. After putting the bolts back in, I realized that by rotating the top of the brace forward, I could "pull in" the ends and put pulling tension on the strut towers.

I rotated the brace as far as I could by hand, then used a rag-wrapped wrench to rotate it a bit more, then I tightened the jam nuts on the brace bar ends. I'll go see what difference this makes on the road.

 

$118 for a STB? I think this might be my next upgrade!

 

Did raising the car and making these adjustments have any effect for you in the way the car handles? Please let us know. I'm planing on installing this brace and would like to know if I really need to raise the car for the installation. Thanks!

Scott

 

So I have the Tanabe STB on my car. I didn't think blocking the fuse box would be such a problem. After going through needing a jump start and not being able to open my trunk... I'm going to look into getting the Cusco bar instead. What a pain in the arse that was!