Pictures of fitted TRD front strut brace

LeeUK · November 30, 2004, 22:35

As titled! I used some door edging strip from halfords, with a little help from a hot air gun I got a real neat finish!

Bongo · November 30, 2004, 22:38

Looks awesome man...

Roll on April s:(

s:(

Anonymous · November 30, 2004, 22:46

Nice work Lee, that looks a hell of a lot better with that strip around!

BTW, any chance of borrowing that hot air gun at all? I've got some chrome edging stuff I've got plans for, but the glue on it is desperate for some heat to make it stick. I'd use a hairdryer, but since the missus left and took it with her, that could prove problematic... s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

so.simple · December 1, 2004, 12:33

Looks awesome. I've been thinking about one myself but am still curious about what happens when it rains. In the owners manual, there is a warning about the possibility of objects stored in the bin getting wet, and that is with the bin lid on. What is your experience?

mph · December 1, 2004, 12:40

Quote from: "so.simple"I've been thinking about one myself but am still curious about what happens when it rains. In the owners manual, there is a warning about the possibility of objects stored in the bin getting wet, and that is with the bin lid on. What is your experience?

I haven't had the bin lid cover on for years. Never ever had anything get wet in there.

so.simple · December 1, 2004, 12:43

Quote from: "mph"I haven't had the bin lid cover on for years. Never ever had anything get wet in there.

Thanks for the info.

Tem · December 1, 2004, 12:46

It doesn't get wet even after removing the plastic cover...
(I don't mean the lid, but the one that covers the strut tops etc)

so.simple · December 1, 2004, 13:06

If it is ok for Finland and the UK, it surely will be ok for Portugal. s:D

s:D s8)

s8)

Anonymous · December 1, 2004, 13:37

Here in the states we don't have that container off to the left (what is that thing?) and so my TRD STB doesn't have that cutout. That's something to keep in mind if you see one for sale in the US. I think my frunk is more centered, too.

roger · December 1, 2004, 13:55

Nice fitting Lee. Just one question, where did you put the clear spirally plastic thingy. Around the screen wash pipe was the last thought - did you find anywhere else?

A warning to other potential fitters:

Unfortunately when I did mine I cut some plastic from the windscreen motor "bump" (just behind the TRD sticker), but when the bar was fully bolted in position, it didn't need as much cut out (if any at all) as I had done. So I have a little black hole through which I can see some wires.

I tidied it up with door edging, but am thinking of adding some sort of "blanking plate" to disguise it more.

roger

PS I got some soft rubbery pre glued door edging from Motorists Centre that easily took the curves, so no need for heat guns. IMO it looks just as good, though is perhaps slightly smaller in size.

Anonymous · December 1, 2004, 14:08

Quote from: "Beanie"Here in the states we don't have that container off to the left (what is that thing?) and so my TRD STB doesn't have that cutout. That's something to keep in mind if you see one for sale in the US. I think my frunk is more centered, too.

Right hand driving car in UK! it's the steering fluid.

Anonymous · December 1, 2004, 17:53

Good job Lee, now I'll have to do the same afetr seeing how much better finished it looks. s:P

s:P

Anonymous · December 1, 2004, 17:57

Quote from: "roger"Nice fitting Lee. Just one question, where did you put the clear spirally plastic thingy. Around the screen wash pipe was the last thought - did you find anywhere else?

A warning to other potential fitters:

Unfortunately when I did mine I cut some plastic from the windscreen motor "bump" (just behind the TRD sticker), but when the bar was fully bolted in position, it didn't need as much cut out (if any at all) as I had done. So I have a little black hole through which I can see some wires.

I tidied it up with door edging, but am thinking of adding some sort of "blanking plate" to disguise it more.

roger

PS I got some soft rubbery pre glued door edging from Motorists Centre that easily took the curves, so no need for heat guns. IMO it looks just as good, though is perhaps slightly smaller in size.

Roger,

I've lloked at the spiral thingy and I just can't see the point in sticking round the screenwash pipe - I've stuck mine around the winscreen wiper wires that are exposed when you cut the rectangular bump out. I'd say there more chance of damage to these wires rubbing on the cut edge and possibly the brace itself than to the washer pipes. Anyway, if you edge any cut areas the chances are minimised and I guess it's down to personal preference.

LeeUK · December 1, 2004, 23:22

Quote from: "RUSTY"I've lloked at the spiral thingy and I just can't see the point in sticking round the screenwash pipe - I've stuck mine around the winscreen wiper wires that are exposed when you cut the rectangular bump out. I'd say there more chance of damage to these wires rubbing on the cut edge and possibly the brace itself than to the washer pipes. Anyway, if you edge any cut areas the chances are minimised and I guess it's down to personal preference.

If memory serves me correctly this is what I too did. Can't remember, must be gettting old! s:oops: :oops: s:oops:

Yeah, Dan you can borrow the hot air gun anytime, give me a ring at work and I'll sort it out for you.

Anonymous · December 2, 2004, 07:48

Quote from: "Beanie"Here in the states we don't have that container off to the left (what is that thing?) and so my TRD STB doesn't have that cutout. That's something to keep in mind if you see one for sale in the US. I think my frunk is more centered, too.

there are two, the wiper fluid and the brake reservoirs.....c'mon beanie, you should know that!! and the u.s. STB is available with or without the cutout for the brake fluid.....from what i've seen, i think trd has stopped making them with that cutout......

what i want to know is, what's that blister/bulge next to the frunk??

kev

Tem · December 2, 2004, 07:51

Quote from: "kulprit"i think trd has stopped making them with that cutout......

Maybe TRD USA has stopped importing them to US? It seems to be available over here and in Japan...
(though I wouldn't know for sure before ordering one)

roger · December 2, 2004, 14:09

Quote from: "Tem"
Quote from: "kulprit"i think trd has stopped making them with that cutout......

Maybe TRD USA has stopped importing them to US? It seems to be available over here and in Japan...
(though I wouldn't know for sure before ordering one)

Both Lee and I bought these from TRD through Dieamond only a couple of months ago. So certainly they have not stopped making them. Obviously exports to US might be different.

roger

Anonymous · December 3, 2004, 08:12

Quote from: "Tem"Maybe TRD USA has stopped importing them to US? It seems to be available over here and in Japan...
(though I wouldn't know for sure before ordering one)

that's exactly what i meant....my apologies for the confusion....

but, again, what is that squarish blister/bulge underneath the plastic?

kev

Jap GT300 · December 3, 2004, 08:48

Quote from: "kulprit"but, again, what is that squarish blister/bulge underneath the plastic?

kev

That is our Power Steering unit. We have to remove all the plastics to check the level or top it up s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

Anonymous · December 3, 2004, 09:08

that's horrid!!! s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

kev

Anonymous · December 6, 2004, 00:05

I got rid of that ugly plastic cover as it was trapping sand and dirt between it and the strut towers and badly scratching the paint away.

Its sole purpose is to hide the (beautiful) mechanics underneath. Or maybe it's to prevent idiots from fiddling and breaking something there? s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

Anyway, I really hate this fashion of wanting to hide everything behind plastic covers... (ever checked a "modern" car lately? Makes you wonder whether the engine actually exists or is it too embarrassingly ugly or low tech to be exposed?) s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

The lid over the bin however is useful, particulary at keeping dust and dirt out of the bin.

I wonder how many people still keep the spare wheel in there? I replaced it a long time ago with a puncture kit and compressor (like you get with the Lotus Elise and other sports cars) and found it to be a *relatively* good sized storage area (especially for trips).

Anonymous · December 6, 2004, 00:31

I kept the bin, but ditched the spare, lid, and surrounding plastic. This was before installing the TRD STB.

Tem · December 6, 2004, 13:47

Quote from: "phat"Anyway, I really hate this fashion of wanting to hide everything behind plastic covers...

It does have one major bonus...you can pretty much swap any engine that fits under the covers and no one will ever notice it s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted: That's pretty useful in countries, where any reasonable swaps are illegal s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

QuoteI wonder how many people still keep the spare wheel in there?

Mine has been on and off...you lose quite a lot of grip from the front end when you remove it s:? :? s:?

Anonymous · December 17, 2004, 23:45

Hello mate, how much was your strut brace and where did you get it from? As you may have heared my '2 exploded but im thinking aboiut the insurance payout.....!!
Think that steering / stopping mods should come before performance

any advice would be great

keith

roger · December 18, 2004, 17:08

A cusco on e-bay for £105. I reckon thats a good price. Have to decide fairly quickly. There is also a rear one (well two of each infact so no squabling necessary).

I have the TRD and you have to lose the wheel lid, but I reckon you can still havee it with the cusco - somebody should be able to confirm.

m http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 06377&rd=1 m

roger