Has anybody installed the Front Brace Bar (1st) before any other suspension mod? Is there any difference in handling? I can only find the TRD Front Strut Brace bar for the 08 xB, all the others ones I find are for the 04-06 models.
Thanks!

cant answer your question, but just thought you might like to know, if you really want to really improve your handling for cheap hotchkis is in production with thier front and rear sway bars.

heres the link - http://www.hotchkis.net/products.php?mainCategory=115&categoryId=424&products_id=433

i have the front brace and the rear sway bar and its tight. i can feel the difference.

Thank you for your replies. I will check out the hotchkis for sure. I'm going with the front brance first, and the rear sway bar at a later date... I will keep you posted. Thanks again.

I'm going to wait for Tanabe strut bars when it comes out, since i'm tanabe addict.

and yes, you'll definitly feel the difference when u put the strut bar. when you first give that curve with that strut bar, you'll feel the strut bar holding the chassis together.

My TRD rear sway bar was installed at delivery. Front brace was not available at that time.
Then two months later, I installed TRD front strut brace. On very first highway on-ramp, I felt an IMMEDIATE handling improvement. Since then, I've become accustomed to overall good handling.

I put a few hundred miles on mine before installing the TRD rear sway bar, strut brace and springs. The car handled okay stock but was too soft and imprecise. It feels much tighter and predictable now. The ride quality is a bit firmer but not bad at all.

how much is the TRD strut bars nowadays anyway? I remember being really pricey...

The TRD strut brace is a bit pricey at $175-200. Luckily I found one on Ebay for $140 shipped.

I've read online that rear bars will be the most effective improvement in handling for FWD, like the xB. NE1 want to chime in? :question:

I agree that the rear sway bar does more than the strut brace. That's why I bought the sway bar first and waited for a deal on a strut brace.

I ordered the TRD strut brace bar from Carson Toyota- check out www.newscionparts.com they have all TRD stuff. I can't wait till it comes in. I will post my feed back when installed.

installation question? Do I need to take off the black pastic cover for the windsheild wipers? If so, how?

Removing the cowl assembly would make the job easier but adds a lot of time to the job. It took me 15 minutes to install my strut brace without removing the cowl assy. All you need are some long handle metric wrenches and some patience.

I brought my Xb home and drove it for3 weeks before installing the strut and sway bar and I have to say it made a difference in firmness. I have the TRD springs also and I like the stance along with the ride, does not bottom out. I did have some rubbing at first but after 2 weeks it leveled out and is smooth as butta.

Enjoy.

Taking the plastic cowl off does not make it any easier to get to the bolts, it just gives you a little extra room around the plastic. I took mine off when I test fit some springs and then didnt the next time and there was no time difference for taking it off.

Taking the plastic cowl off does not make it any easier to get to the bolts, it just gives you a little extra room around the plastic. I took mine off when I test fit some springs and then didnt the next time and there was no time difference for taking it off.

so.. i just need a longer wrench to install it if i want to do it without removing the plastic cowl?

Installed the strut brace bar Saturday, I feels better in the front. I may get the rear sway bar soon... PS: I did it without removing the plastic cowl.