I was looking into maybe purchasing the front TRD strut bar from TRD sparks and installing it possibly. Curious to how easy the install is?

I mean, the actual install of the bar itself is cake, but im wondering moreso about the wiper and plastic area you have to remove prior. Is that hard to get to and remove without feeling like you will snap and destroy it? haha

I read the PDF from trdsparks but just curious if it is really easy to remove all that plastic stuff prior to the actual brace install?

Also, what would I notice different about the handling if I did install the front strut bar? Not doing the rear-sway yet, and the car not lowered at all, so basically this is going on a stock xB by itself.

What advantages will it offer? Is it worth the 160$ or whatever it is?

Appreciate it!

 

its not hard at all to take off the cowl and wiper assembly. like 5-10 mins. as for the front strut i cant say if it will be a big change but if you wanna get something cheaper tanabe has a strut bar out to. i think theirs is 120 or below.

 

Yeah i was looking into who else had one that was cheaper if I got one, thanks!

How hard exactly is the rear sway to install?

 

I think I will go with the rear-sway instead after reading effectiveness and whatnot between the two...

Anybody riding stock with just the rear sway, how is it handling wise before and after?

 

My guess will be less body roll in cornors...

 

Well yes, sorry I should have been more specific, but as far as normal riding. Is it alot more aggresive feeling going over bumps and stuff or does it feel the same, but just with more control in cornering?

Basically, the general all-purpose riding with the sway.

Regardless though, I did go ahead and buy it. So next week I will install and see what it does

 

when you install the front strut make sure its off its wheels.. the point is to take the load off the springs so that when you install the strut bar it properly loads the strut bar.

the sway bar is pretty easy but keep in mind that the TRD piece is very awkward.. its heavy and long so it would be a good idea to get a friend to help you out to hold it while underneath

 

These cars are all pretty stiff without any top of the strut tower brace. You will notice little if any difference in normal driving and possibly a small difference in very aggressive driving. If a handling difference is what you seek add a rear sway bar if there is not one or upgrade to a larger front sway bar or both. These items will give you a noticable difference in handling, decreasing body roll and increasing steering response.

 

I guess it will be a little bit before I get my sway bar... TRD changed the design of it and TRDsparks is awaiting these new sway bars. Something with a bracket redesign?

 

Hmm... i just bought one of the old ones... i wonder how different the new ones will be...