offremike

Does anyone know where I can find a Strut Bar for the 99 ES300? My cousin thinks there might not be one because of the little amount of space between the engine and the hood. It be nice to have one for better turning/corners but if you can't get one, is there an alternative?

crwys

In my research I've found if you buy one for a 99-03 Solara it will fit. The only product I could find a that actually specified to fit an ES 300 was this one
http://throwdownperformance.com/ultr...i-2119760.aspx

Its a bit pricey though.
There are cheaper ones on eBay. You can use their fitment information to find one that will hopefully fit on eBay if you want a cheaper one.

offremike

You are a beautiful human being sir (or maam? can't tell by your username). Thanks alot.

crwys

Lol. No problem

speedkar9

Hmm, is it? I remember reading that hood clearance was the reason you couldn't fit a TRD Supercharger on the Camry / ES300 but you could in the Solara.

Needless to say, my Solara came stock with the strut bar, so if it does fit, you can source one from the junkyards easily.

crwys

It is a fair question. The site does specify an ES 300 so you would think there would be no fitment issues. But I do remember reading some people saying it would add a slight bump to their hood. I don't know what kind of strut bar they were using though.

The junkyard Solara does sound like a good option. I'll probably look into that if my local junkyard has one.

MESHICANO

I can confirm a 2000 solara strut bar fits perfect onto a 98 es300. Only problem is closing the hood you have to be gentle it does rub against the firewall padding other than that I see no bump on my hood when it's closed.

crwys

I finally had the time today to try this. I pulled one off a 01 solara for my 99 and it raised my hood a little less than 1/4 inch. There is definitely room between the plenum and the strut bar. So it is possible to have a strut bar without raising the hood. Just not the one I got apparently. Maybe I was just unlucky

xoarz

The solara strut bar fits with some modification. There were 3 places were the strut bar contacted the skeleton of the hood so i took a hammer and pounded it to sit more flat. Not the smartest idea but i just wanted to have a strut bar for scene points so i did it. I missed once, hitting the wrong part of my hood which left a dent
Regardless, i've ran this strut bar for over a year, and i constantly open my hood and slam it shut. I've ran into no problems with the strut bar
(old pic)

AuttiMan

Does the strut bar make it handle better or is it for longevity (alleviating stress?)

crwys

It definitely makes the car handle better. You will notice.

xoarz

i don't really notice notice a difference in handling I did it just to be different from all the other stock ES' s lol

crwys

Just a small update. I had a friend cut the strut bar and weld it lower for me. The hood closes fine now and is not raised anymore.