Wich front strut bar should i keep?

[sky-net]

Hi!

I recently got a Cusco front strut brace. It's really nice looking, but it doesn't allow me to keep the stock front brace that connects the front strut towers to the front firewall (black half triangle).



Which one should i keep? Is the chassis rigidity affected if i keep the aftermarket one?

Regards

[rev3gtturbo]

Toyota did 2 versions of the stock front strut brace - the visual difference being whether it mounted to the front or back bolt on the strut towers.
They were interchangeable on some cars but not others (it depends on which oem windscreen washer motor assembly is fitted).

I have had one of each and they did handle differently. I guess you should notice a difference between oem and Cusco as one mounts to the bulkhead and one does not etc

Whether you should stick to your stock strut brace or the Cusco one is down to which one you prefer driving the car on a variety of twisty/bumpy roads. Try them both out on the same route in the dry and wet, and at different speeds.

If you choose the Cusco, keep the stock one as well in case you ever sell the car and the new owner wants to put it back to standard.

[androo007]

IMO the original does it better.

[sky-net]

Thanks for your input guys.

IMO the original does it better.

Maybe for having 3 points rather than 2?

Regards

[C35Rob]

neither are particularly good, the standard one is weak where it is flattened to attach to the bulkhead, and can be flexed pretty easily. The cusco ones are really loose where they adjust and you can usually wiggle them around by hand regardless of how tight they are which kind of indicates how much benefit you'll be getting.

I really doubt anyone is tuned in enough to feel a tangible difference between strut braces on a car with road tyres and rubber (even poly) suspension bushes and standard top mounts, it just isn't possible.

the only ones really worth having are the solid (non adjust) cusco, or the TOM'S braces

[2mad]

sky-net i ran an upgraded one plus the toyota ... worked great .. I wouldnt have ditched the stock mate .

[Torero]

the only ones really worth having are the solid (non adjust) cusco, or the TOM'S braces

Actually Rob, I am running with a TRD brace on a T-Bar and the difference is noticeable compared to stock.

TRD is rigid, tubular and bolts at 3 points but it's easier to get hold of a picture of Rihanna with her clothes on than get your hands on one of these in the current market.

[Rob]

Yep, I have TRD front and rears. The front one is seriously meaty and triangulates perfectly. As has been said though - rare and expensive...

[sky-net]

sky-net i ran an upgraded one plus the toyota ... worked great .. I wouldnt have ditched the stock mate .

Yes, I thought they were compatible the same way i have a rear spats brace paired with the stock black ones.

Replacing the front cusco brace for the stock one seems to be the right choice by the moment.

Thanks guys!

[C35Rob]

the only ones really worth having are the solid (non adjust) cusco, or the TOM'S braces

Actually Rob, I am running with a TRD brace on a T-Bar and the difference is noticeable compared to stock.

TRD is rigid, tubular and bolts at 3 points but it's easier to get hold of a picture of Rihanna with her clothes on than get your hands on one of these in the current market.

correct, I had forgotten about the TRD, which falls into the same design as the toms and solid cusco, so the sentiment of my original post still stands - basically if its solid and non adjustable it's probably worth having.

TRD braces regularly pop up on Japanese auction sites, should anyone want one enough to pay the shipping.