ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Performance / Modify => Topic started by: fuzzy1 on December 16, 2010, 04:39:27 PM
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Strut tower brace??!! Hrm... so fuzzy thought: "I'd like to have a strut tower brace." Then fuzzy thought: "Hrm, some gen2's came with em, I wonder if it could fit (or be made to fit) a gen1."
So here I am to ask, has anyone done this? Does anyone know if any vendor sells one If so I haven't seen it so please lmk.
Stuff like, how much wider is gen2, & what would need to change at the ends to mount it??!! ??? >:D :sleepy:
k, GO!!
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The old Explorer Pro Comp lift kits came with a brace... but they do not make the kit any more... Not sure on the width. I can measure my 2000 for ya this weekend....
Zig
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I know if I could have found one at my local upullit it would have made it a bunch easier than cutting and welding up a bunch of pieces. The only real advantage to mine is it's adjustable for length, which makes reinstalling it after a bunch of front end work easier. I know If I remove the strut tower brace for service, then lift the rig and put it on jackstands for any reason the towers flex enough to make refitting it a bit difficult withought being able to adjust it.
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Hrm, yeah Zig, that Pro-Comp kit had some neat stuff that I don't see on any of the current kits, like the 2nd shock parallel to the strut. I didn't know it came with a brace too though. I wonder if the specs of the brace could still be found somewhere... anyone know of a source??
If you could get the measurements from your gen2 that'd prolly help. I'm just in feeler mode atm, wondering if it's practical to try. Tia
bentparts, your build is sort of my inspiration for thinking about this, since I've seen that you built one... & I've also seen the damage that can occur without it. Specifically in Zukes of Hazzards (sp?) 4 door build. I remember watching his vids from Moab, & on the one where he makes Escalator you can hear... besides some belt whine & a guy going 'I think you flattened your rear tire' (4:25 in the vid)... what sounds a lot like metal stress/fatigue... that nasty noise that stressed steel makes when it's resisting being bent, but losing. The noise might be suspension or steering groans too, but he did post afterward that he bent his towers on that trip. Just a guess, but I'm thinking the damage might have been captured on video, crossing the water hole or when the LF was in the air etc. Here's a link to that vid:
geo tracker on hell's revenge, escalator moab utah (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-6SRRxscrE#)
The adjustable idea is really cool too, & I wonder if, when making a Gen2 narrower, Some adjustment could be built in as well? ???
For my uses, it might be over-kill, but I'm more in the 'over build & don't break it' camp than the 'break it then fix it' camp. ::) Long term, I'm going for capable dual use, but retaining it's road/highway manners as best I can. I also can't fab & a lot of things I have to hire someone to do for me.
I can't say I'm gonna be running Moab, or anything else that level any time soon, but hey... ya never know. So to me it's more a preventative thing, like skidplates etc.
Thanks for the replies & keep em coming!! ;D
Fuzz
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I've got one off of an 03 right now, and I am getting ready to MAKE it fit my 90. Watch this space for pictures and text...
Better yet, to avoid thread jacking... Check out Project "Rhino" once in a while. This is the current "add on" to be done.
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Oooo, very cool. I have peeked in on your build, always interesting to see mods ppl do. I'll keep an eye there, but please feel free to post pics/info/ideas here too... I'm not too worried about hijacks, & it might help someone later on if they search & find this thread. :)
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Thanks for the O.K. to add on here, Fuzzy. I will be adding the pictures as I get this thing figured out.
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Are we talking about the same thing you find on all the Honda co ice and integral? A simple bracket with a bar in the middle? Couldn't you thread the tube or use weld in bugs some all thread with a bolt welded in the center. Then adjust to your hearts content.
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Basically, yes, HOWEVER, you have to keep in mind that the Trackick has an odd ( for imports ) spacing on the strut mount, plus you have to reach down into the "tower" to get to the strut. In the FWIW area, the 2nd gen brace is long enough, but, you will have to fab up new mounts for it. I would load some pictures to my build, but, my computer is giving crap about doing any kind of uploads with media. I will try and get them loaded up soon, along with a neat hood mod. ( NO, not a hood scoop either. )
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No but I built my own with exhaust flanges on top of strut towers, then 2 1/2 inch exhaust tubing which was close to the opening of the exhaust flange. Then square tubing which I bent into the round tubing.Then sliced the round tubing so I could shape it into the square. welded it all together and smoothed it out with some body filler and painted it body color.
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Good job, there, gearjam. Did you fill the box tubing with sand or anything to giet it to keep from collapsing, or just bend it? I have tried to bend box before without filling it, and it always kinks. I got lucky and go the brace from an 03 ZR2 for free, so it is worth it to work on it for me.
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No but I built my own with exhaust flanges on top of strut towers, then 2 1/2 inch exhaust tubing which was close to the opening of the exhaust flange. Then square tubing which I bent into the round tubing.Then sliced the round tubing so I could shape it into the square. welded it all together and smoothed it out with some body filler and painted it body color.
Nice Job!
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x3 gearjam, nice work.
In my case, I'm not much of a fabber so I need something bolt on... or easily modded to bolt on. Great to see what others have done though, thanks for the replies. :)
*Waits patiently for Trackasaur's pics!*
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I add a couple of "fitting" pictures to my thread this morning, so I will put them over here for you, and as you said, to help others in the future. I have to go get some cutting wheels and a couple of grinding ones to start reworking it, so just hang in there a bit.
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g221/ijir/Rhino/DSCF2299.jpg)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g221/ijir/Rhino/DSCF2300.jpg)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g221/ijir/Rhino/DSCF2301.jpg)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g221/ijir/Rhino/DSCF2313.jpg)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g221/ijir/Rhino/DSCF2312.jpg)
As you can see, this going to take a little bit of work to get it right, but it will be worth it, I think. Besides the price was right... FREE.
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Ohhh, hey yours is an 8v! That adds another twist, but I see you've already modded the intake so you have clear access to the left tower.
Yep, too wide & mount holes different, & now seeing the way the 'foot' is angled... once it's set down to the strut mount, will the 'heel' clear the inner fender? Maybe some cutting or BFH action needed? Also, in the 1st pic is looks like it'll clear the hood easily, but the later pics look like maybe not? Hard to tell if it's just the camera angle or could be an issue.
Thanks for the pics, keep em coming when you can!
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Got to love not having to keep the mud shields.
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d35/bigzook/CHerry%20Bomb/0062.jpg)
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That's a smooth way to do it, Bigzook. That is basically what I am aiming to do with mine.
Fuzzy1, yeah, mine is an 8v ( for now ;) ) I had a bad filter housing when I got this, so fixing that was a priority until I found out that the engine had a couple of other problems. Anyways, I go the need cutting items today, so tomorrow I will be working on getting the brace to fit, and will hopefully have it close enough that you can see what needs to be finished, along with pictures of the "in work" of course. I wll know for sure about the hood after I get doen mocking it up, BUT, as of right now, the hood is no where close to being able to close. We are talking about 5" at the nose above being able to close.
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Bigzook, I really like how you angled your brace forward to clear the intake plenum. I like that you can get to the intake w/out removing the bar. Looks like it clears the spark plugs even, slick design. I saw the pic on your build thread... do you have any details on how you fabbed it? You just cut the splashguards off the top of the inner fenders right?
Trackasaur, having the 2nd gen brace there, & since you have to rework the ends, does it look like it could be installed angled forward like that, fab the mounts at ~45* rather than ~90*?
The only issue I could see with that route for mine is I have (& want) the stock air intake. So the brace would interfere. I'm starting to think a custom bent tube might be a better option... maybe angled to scoot under the stock intake tube. Why oh WHY can't we get the 2l Vits here?! *Shakes fist in air* Already have the brace stock, not to mention the engine I'd choose if only I could... *sigh*
Hey vendors!! Build us 1st gen Trackick people a bolt on Strut Brace please??!! Copy Bigzooks, he won't mind! >:D (j/k ofc)
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Hey, Fuzzy. I am thinking about the same thing with angling the bar to clear the TB on the 8v.There is alot of length that can be used for this... I have to finish clearing out the doorway for my garage to be able to get back to the "Rhino" to work on it, as we got snowed pretty hard. I should be able to get in there either tonight or in the AM, though.
As for what you are thinking, I need to get ahold of a friend of mine that has a 16v, and see what it would take to make it work on that intake set-up, since Mark is keeping his a stock set up.
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As it sounds CALMINI has laser cut weld-on gussets reinforce the strut tower in their new SAS kit to come out. Not very visible in this image.
(http://www.zuwharrie.com/gallery/albums/userpics/15166/DSC04432.JPG)
On Drone637's Race Car we used 1/4" X 3" flat stock to reinforce his strut towers. Complete weld of flat stock to strut tower. (The limiting strap is to keep from topping out the strut for those using air miles.)
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_86HP5-adsWc/S8veragKqWI/AAAAAAAAGsA/d4if1yoBnUk/s512/CIMG0556.JPG)
He never had any noticeable change in wheel chamber (even after roll over testing during field tests). Last year (2009) after one race those not running braces had significant chamber changes. And the race rigs were Hammered.
This is an easy modification to make if you are concerned about bending strut towers.
Awesome video of Bentparts on Escalator.
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I braced my towers externally also, a bit differently, but seems to work. BTW, like to take the credit for that vid, but it's not me.
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I misread what was written. Still a good video. How are yours braced?
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Have to see if I can find the photo and post it. I used a 1/2" solid steel rod, bent to the shape of the strut tower front, welded it in place with the legs spread out and welded to the frame a few inches to the side, then braced that with plate. Hard to describe.
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Found the info over on Zuwarrie. http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,98192.0.html (http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,98192.0.html)
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Any updates?? ;D
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None yet, Fuzzy1. I started a new job, and it has kind of sidelined my projects while I get somethings caught up. I will be back to the brace "hopefully" on Sunday, as that is the first day off that I have ( hopefully, it won't be a work day ALSO.)
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k, cool & grats on the new job. No hurry ofc, you're offering help, not required to... thanks! ;D