Ok, Ok I'm convinced.

[Ardent]

Just curious.
If ridigity is the thing. I didn't consider the matt brace that rigid

[Topdownman]

Same. Whatever solution can be designed,it can't be very noticeably better than Matt's and front strut.

If I didn't have the mid brace,yes  s:) s:)

Same for me.

[Bernie]

Same. Whatever solution can be designed,it can't be very noticeably better than Matt's and front strut.

If I didn't have the mid brace,yes  s:) s:)

Ditto

Mines an actual TTE centre cross brace but my previous car, 2003 FL, had one of Matts and it's addition made a dramatic difference to rigidity

From the archives a lot also depends on what year of manufacture your 2 is and what stock bracing you have even 2003 to late 2004 had major changes made


 l viewtopic.php?f=7&t=21004 l

 l viewtopic.php?f=46&t=4807 l

[Carolyn]

So.  We'll put the blue car up on the lift and measure up.  

ChrisGB:  Yes ally is an attractive idea - it would be much lighter but also more expensive to produce.  There would have to be a demand for at least five units to make it worthwhile to produce.

I'm still not saying we'll produce these yet (in steel or ally).  We'll fabricate a steel prototype and put up pics.  Doubtless the intiial design concept will change as we make the thing.

Jase:  Any car will have tweaked a bit over the years.  Surprisingly I didn't have to do any fettling on my JDM car.  The big bolt holes will be slotted to allow for variation.  The more I think about it, the Mattbrace works mostly in tension, so 'rigidity' is not such an issue.

I doubt I would swap the braces I've now got on the silver car (Mattbrace and ally front brace)- they do the job, just seems to make sense to produce a single unit, if you're doing it.

David and I don't work so fast these days, so, patience everyone!

Edit:  I just discussed steel v ally with David. He says bog standard ally (not an expensive alloy) is much poorer under tension (3 times), so while it is lighter, a frame would have to be much bulkier to do as good a job as steel and would be likely to stretch over time.  Food for thought...

[1979scotte]

I will follow you progress.
My matt brace wont last forever its always catching on things.

[lamcote]

Presumably the reason the Matt brace works, despite looking quite lightweight, is because it does indeed work in tension?
One thought, if you make something that combines both centre and front braces into one unit, will that mean it won't fit on 2004+ cars because of their standard fit Toyota bracing which actually looks quite substantial on the pics in the thread linked to above?

[Carolyn]

That brace, excellent as it is, would have to come off.  I'm fairly sure the mounting points are the same, though I haven't had a good look under a 2004 car, so I stand to be corrected.  Opinions all; large one-piece or just the centre brace?

[Essex2Visuvesi]

I think one big one

[1979scotte]

I think one large brace would be better myself.

[jvanzyl]

I'm good either way with a large or two separate pieces...

[Carolyn]

I'm good either way with a large or two separate pieces...

That's a BIG help!

[Call the midlife!]

In the words of Tom Jones "I who have nothing" would be happy with a one piece that fits a PFL.


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[jvanzyl]

I'm good either way with a large or two separate pieces...

That's a BIG help!

Sorry misread the initial request! I'd be after the large one!

[shnazzle]

I'm good either way with a large or two separate pieces...

That's a BIG help!

Sorry misread the initial request! I'd be after the large one!

Everyone always is  s:( s:(

[ChrisGB]

Given the variability of hole positions around the typical floorpan, having one big piece could make fitting less easy. Also, nobody has mentioned the Tom's front brace yet. That's an impressive looking bit of kit.

[StuC]

This one Chris?

[jvanzyl]

This one Chris?

Looks like something that has now been consigned to the "uber rare" category...

[1979scotte]

This one Chris?

Lotty likey.

[Essex2Visuvesi]

saw one on yahoo.jp a while back

[MR TWO]

I have custom made alloy centre/mid & front braces. I would consider upgrading, depending on price - but it would have to be an upgrade.

I wouldn't want a heavy steel brace, plus rust...

PM me if anything develops!

[Carolyn]

I have custom made alloy centre/mid & front braces. I would consider upgrading, depending on price - but it would have to be an upgrade.

I wouldn't want a heavy steel brace, plus rust...

PM me if anything develops!

Well, what we're looking at doing would not be an upgrade on that which you already have.  How much did that lot cost?

[Ardent]

This one Chris?

Lotty likey.

Likey likey.

[ChrisGB]

This one Chris?

That's the kiddy.

[MR TWO]

I have custom made alloy centre/mid & front braces. I would consider upgrading, depending on price - but it would have to be an upgrade.

I wouldn't want a heavy steel brace, plus rust...

PM me if anything develops!

Well, what we're looking at doing would not be an upgrade on that which you already have.  How much did that lot cost?

I bought them used from the guy who sold me the car, I paid an additional 300 for the BC's and the braces ( three years ago ).

[mdw]

Im interested as well and also need  a front brace.