Carolyn & David's Front strut brace.

[The Other Stu]

I honestly don't mind if it's bright green. It's not on show

[househead]

Red!

[litr0m]

Black....

[Carolyn]

The first batch of 6 is nearing....

Here is a list of expressions of genuine interest in order of appearance.

Those left out will go on a reserve list for the next batch.

Please confirm if you still want one: (Pending photographs of finished item.)

Scotte

Jonbill

Steve Ash

Potge

Other Stu

JVZ

[jonbill]

I confirm.

[jvanzyl]

I confirm!

[potge]

I confirm also.

[1979scotte]

Of course I want one black please ( that means yellow really doesn't it )

@Carolyn

[inside]

Not sure it's been discussed before... will it be LHD-compatible?

[The Other Stu]

I can confirm (I typed conform. I definitely don't conform)

[steveash]

Confirmed!

[Carolyn]

Not sure it's been discussed before... will it be LHD-compatible?

Yes. 

[Carolyn]

The first six are ready.  Take a look before you decide.

They are not as pretty as the TRD but they ARE stiffer both in bend and twist.

The cross bar is two 25mm box sections welded side by side, diving four vertical walls to resist bending.  The big overlaps onto the plate resist bending and the reinforcing ring in the centre (hard stainless) ensures minimum flex at that point.

The TRD used tube, which is fine, but not as rigid as box section.  The welds are a tad 'industrial' but this is a case of function first.

Edit:  Oh, final price £125 plus £10 to the club.  Postage extra.

[jvanzyl]

Hey Carolyn,
Just to confirm - can you slide the frunk cover in and out under the bar or is literally not usable? I hadn't realized that the cross bar wouldn't sit cockpit side of the power steering fluid.

[Carolyn]

As with the TRD brace, if you want the Frunk cover (which I do), it has to be cut.  (I did point this out early on...)

I can put 5mm threaded inserts into the top of the bar, to allow for a couple of hinges.

Pics below give you an idea.

The simply is not space above the brake reservoir to allow for a strong brace in that position the wiper  motor gets in the way.

[shnazzle]

Looking good!

[Carolyn]

More info.

Weight:  3.2 Kg..(TRD 3.4 Kg)

That rules Petrus out!!

If you're concerned about cutting plastics.  I can get a few spares from Deano next time I go up.  I'll pass them on at cost.

Or, you could just put the plastics to one side and run without (many TRD brace users do), and you'll have them intact for the future.

[Carolyn]

Stop Press.  We have just trial fitted all six onto the blue car.

One has warped in the welding process and is not for for sale. 

That means only five are available from this batch.

Sorry.

[1979scotte]

I'm in Carolyn even if they aren't yellow.

[Petrus]

More info.

Weight:  3.2 Kg..(TRD 3.4 Kg)

That rules Petrus out!!

Yup :-)

Actually, I would have signed up for a LHD one from the second batch if I would not have fitted one of those white ones earlier in the process. I am not particularly pleased with how it looks and the TRD replicas sure dó look the dog´s bollocks!!  but is does sómething and instead of spending twice on the same, now have lighter fiber seats coming from Portugal.

[Carolyn]

Waiting for threaded inserts so I can do the hinging.  I've come up with a very traditional, but elegant and reliable hinge...

I'll post pics when done.

in the meantime,

Here's how the brace and plastics go together:

You cannot view this attachment.

[StuC]

@Carolyn what a really neat install. Credit to you.

[Carolyn]

@Carolyn what a really neat install. Credit to you.

Thank you.  Still refining things....

[Carolyn]

Leather hinges.

[MisterK]

@Carolyn what a really neat install. Credit to you.

I must agree that does look very impressive - excellent work....