Shock Tower Brace

[mfeisen]

There's a factory shock tower brace on my 02 convertible. Would like to reduce chassis flex and was wondering if replacing the stock unit with a TRD or other after market unit is worth while.

I'm amazed at how much the car flexes while driving over minor bumps/dips and other then installing a roll bar, not sure what else can be done. Has anyone attempted to reduce the chassis flex on the first gen. convertibles?

[DriDed]

I upgraded to the TRD strut brace on my Solara and the stock one went to my dad's Camry (did not come with one stock). With only the TRD strut brace installed, the Solara felt a bit (and I mean a bit) more stable on the corners but the major benefit is a better looking engine bay.

Go for the TRD rear sway bar as well as lowering springs/ shocks (or coilovers) in addition to the strut brace, you will definitely feel the difference then.

When you have all the available suspension parts installed, you will be driving a different car.

I plan to install lowering springs and shocks soon, possibly this summer if I get a good amount of money saved up from my job. I already have the TRD strut brace and TRD rear sway bar installed on my Solara.

[DSM_Lara]

The factory tower bar is the same. They made the TRD strut tower to clear the Supercharger...

[99BlackSandv6]

I'm with Dri on this one. It's mostly to look good.
I'm also with DSM, it's mostly to clear the supercharger.

[KILLA CAM]

The TRD strut bar will only help cosmetics. If your goal is to reduce chassis flex, then look up the Ultra Racing underbody braces. That's where you should spend your money.

[mfeisen]

Thank you all for the input. I now have a Whiteline RSB and that's all I plan to do for the handling part of the equation. One of the measures that the OEMs take when producing a 'vert is to soften the suspension to allow the chassis to flex more to compensate for the lack of rigidity. Lowering the car and adding stiffer springs will enhance handling, but you run the risk of making the overall ride worse on a 'vert.

I've looked at the Ultra Racing bracing, but not sure that it'll work in my case. The company ASC performed the 'vert conversions on the first gen models and they apparently added an X-brace to the rear underside. This X-brace may pose clearance problems when trying to add the Ultra Racing rear bracing.

I was hoping that someone with a first gen 'vert may have done this or something else. A lot of these aftermarket accessories are geared towards the coupes. Perhaps I'll email them. but beings that they're in Malaysia, not sure that my problem can fully be understood. I forget what they call the Solara over there and not even sure if they have 'verts over there.

[DriDed]

when you install the ultra racing underbody brace, you are supposed to remove the factory x brace before installing the UR brace.