Consensus on Chassis Brace

My understanding is that the BT Brace was first and that the designer has died, and the family is not that interested. The G7 Brace is an ebay knock off of the BT Brace for 1/4 the price. Both are direct, bolt for bolt replacements for the stock brace.

There are also boutique braces (often from Japan) that hope to tie more of the body together. They tend to be much higher priced than the BT Brace, some will require dis-assembly of the exhaust system or suspension.

 

I have the original BT brace and I definitely noticed a difference in handling. Essentially, the car remains flatter during curves. I would imagine that the knockoffs may afford similar results.

 

Pretty much everything that can be said for and against the whole idea of a chassis brace has already been covered in many threads. If you're going to get one tho, it's hard to argue with the price of the G7.

- D

 

I just bought a chassis brace from Juiced Hybrid. Its a little more expensive but the quality of construction is excellent. Plus its a nice green color. It is also just a bolt on replacement but I think its wider and thicker than the other options. Check it out here.
Chassis Stiffener, Improve Prius Ride Quality and Handling: JuicedHybrid.com

 

I installed the G7 a couple weeks ago... Definately works!
It was a night and day difference in handling. No more wind issues. No more 'swampy' feeling on turns. IMHO the first thing to upgrade on the Prius. should have come from the factory like that.

And BTW, took me a whole 10 minutes with one hand, 1 socket wrench and 1 hex socket. No jacking needed. It is under the car right between the doors. All too easy!

 

Just would like to confirm. The Ebay seller of the G7 says its for 2004-2008 Prius models. I have a 2009. A couple of you people seem to have 2009 models but say you bought and used it, right...????

 

OK, I just went out in the mud and pouring rain and checked and mine has one of those funny looking plates, so I paid my $47 and will await shipment...

 

Yep.... 2004-2009. Basically GEN 2.

 

What's more effective for stability and cornering:

This brace or Lowering springs?

 

Get the chassis brace for stability. Get for a strut tower bar for cornering. In my opinion, strut tower bar makes the most notable difference.

 

I just ordered a G7, will update when installed!!!

 

but what will u feel a bigger difference with? lowering springs/coil (lower center of gravity) or a heavier brace?

 

2006 Prius here. Recently departed Los Angeles, however to feel safe on LA's Freeways, I purchased the G7 Under Brace from a Chinese guy in Riverisde County-2 hours east of LA. I also bought the Tanabe top engine area Strut Tower Brace from Darkside Motoring in Chatsworth, CA ( great guys to deal with ). And right now waiting for the final Brace from Tanabe -- it's a the front under Brace -- a short red bar connecting both sides of the Chassis. My 2 cents is do it. For safety reasons alone, do it and my Prius now feels more stable at high speeds.

I highly recommend Darkside Motoring in Chatsworth, Ca. Kenny is owner and Eric is Top Notch second in command.

DARKSIDE MOTORING

Can anyone advise where Tannabe's Front Under Brace can be purchased?

Here: http://www.tanabe-usa.com/other/files/243_img1.jpg

 

Strut bars are only offered for BMWs on their website. ???

 

Anyone??

I bought my brace about 45 days ago, but have not gotten up the courage to try to crawl under and install it.

In the event that I do get said courage, should I use the blue "medium" threadlocker stuff on the bolts when I install them? Couldn't hurt, right?

Kristi

 

I got the G7 brace and rated it highly on the board. I believe there's close to 10 members on the board who followed and felt similar satisfaction. You can't beat it for $37!

 

Can't hurt but I doubt it's necessary, the original bolts didn't have any when I pulled them. Don't hesitate to install it, really it is very easy to do.

- D

 

I got the G7 brace too. I wondered about threadlocker but blew it off and installed it anyway. Have checked twice in the last month and a half and the bolts seem as tight as ever. The car definitely feels more solid. Also (and it could be just my imagination) some of the rattles and harmonic type noises have all but disappeared. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

The getting under the car part is not really the tough part -- I'm skinny enough and flat-chested enough

It's just that someone posted that the bolts are pretty hard to budge. And then getting the new ones tight enough....

If my husband and I didn't have such a negative history with this car, I could probably get him to do it...(he wrecked it after I had it only two weeks AND I TOLD HIM NOT TO DRIVE IT WHILE I WAS OUT OF TOWN).

I suppose I could always resort to the wink/giggle/purr method to gain his cooperation (guys are so predictable), but I try to spare my manipulative moves for other moments.