Strut Tower Bar Fitment
04-21-03, 04:39 AM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Strut Tower Bar Fitment
Ok everyone, I know that I've told people about this before but now I'm making it into an official post since I never posted "finished" pictures...
This simple fix will work for the SC400 for sure. I'm not sure about the fitment of various STB's for the SC300 but if your STB is touching a little bit, this fix will also work for you.
What you need is FOUR (4) of these....part number 53723-24010
This simple fix will work for the SC400 for sure. I'm not sure about the fitment of various STB's for the SC300 but if your STB is touching a little bit, this fix will also work for you.
What you need is FOUR (4) of these....part number 53723-24010
Last edited by Manaray; 04-23-03 at 03:14 AM.
04-21-03, 04:42 AM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Then just put two on each side (on TOP of the ones that are already there)...easy!
MAKE SURE THAT THE PROFILE IS THE SAME. There is a TOP and BOTTOM to these spacers
Now on the passenger side, there is a little "clip" that hooks into the spacer that is already there, just unhook it from there and just move it aside...don't take it out...(make sure to tighten the bolt back down!) All that clip does is hold the line in place...
MAKE SURE THAT THE PROFILE IS THE SAME. There is a TOP and BOTTOM to these spacers
Now on the passenger side, there is a little "clip" that hooks into the spacer that is already there, just unhook it from there and just move it aside...don't take it out...(make sure to tighten the bolt back down!) All that clip does is hold the line in place...
Last edited by Manaray; 04-21-03 at 04:49 AM.
04-21-03, 04:46 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Now on the SC400, there are some vacuum lines that are held together by a bolt that goes into the engine. Just unbolt it and gently push it out of the way. I consulted a couple of Lexus Mechanics about this before I did it and they said it was just fine....eventually, I'll probably get some extra hose and make some "connectors" to route these hoses better...for now, it works perfectly fine...
All the metal tubes and the bracket are WELDED together so don't bother trying to take them apart...
Oh, this picture is taken from the passenger side of the car (on a LHD car)
Ok, and finally, how much space is there? Plenty. I started the motor several times to see how much movement there was and I also checked under the bar after I took it for a ride and it has not touched at all.
Oh, you'll HAVE to take off the Lexus emblem....boo frickin' hoo....get over it.
All the metal tubes and the bracket are WELDED together so don't bother trying to take them apart...
Oh, this picture is taken from the passenger side of the car (on a LHD car)
Ok, and finally, how much space is there? Plenty. I started the motor several times to see how much movement there was and I also checked under the bar after I took it for a ride and it has not touched at all.
Oh, you'll HAVE to take off the Lexus emblem....boo frickin' hoo....get over it.
Last edited by Manaray; 04-21-03 at 04:47 AM.
04-21-03, 04:58 AM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
OK, so what's the difference of doing this or doing some 10 Cent washers from Home Depot?
Well if you look at the design of the base of the STB, you'll noticed that it's very similar to the spacer. With washers, you're basically putting all the force that base exerts on only the surface area of the washer. Which is very small. Now if you look at how the spacers look, you'll see that it sits under the STB's bases quite nicely. Now the base is exerting force on much more surface area...it's basically working the way it was designed to work!
Now here's the CATCH - The strut bolts on the STOCK UPPER MOUNT is VERY SHORT. The nut may not even thread on all the way. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT DO THIS MOD ON STOCK STRUT BOLTS!!
I have JIC SF-1 coilovers in my SC and not only are the strut bolts longer, the strut bolts are also thicker in diameter....As you can see, I have about a 1/4" worth of bolt still on top. Another thing I am probably going to do is to get industrial strength or ACQ (Air Craft Quality) nylon insert nuts (the ones with the nylon washers that are intergrated on top which prevent nuts from back out)....I've check the setup after a few days of driving and they're still on there tight...I'm probably going to market them with a marker to see if they move even a little bit....
Anyways, the ride with the STB is a big improvement! The car handles AMAZINGLY now...even better than my GS430 with all the bracing....quite amazing how well the SC handles in general! I guess that Supra DNA really helps!
Well if you look at the design of the base of the STB, you'll noticed that it's very similar to the spacer. With washers, you're basically putting all the force that base exerts on only the surface area of the washer. Which is very small. Now if you look at how the spacers look, you'll see that it sits under the STB's bases quite nicely. Now the base is exerting force on much more surface area...it's basically working the way it was designed to work!
Now here's the CATCH - The strut bolts on the STOCK UPPER MOUNT is VERY SHORT. The nut may not even thread on all the way. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT DO THIS MOD ON STOCK STRUT BOLTS!!
I have JIC SF-1 coilovers in my SC and not only are the strut bolts longer, the strut bolts are also thicker in diameter....As you can see, I have about a 1/4" worth of bolt still on top. Another thing I am probably going to do is to get industrial strength or ACQ (Air Craft Quality) nylon insert nuts (the ones with the nylon washers that are intergrated on top which prevent nuts from back out)....I've check the setup after a few days of driving and they're still on there tight...I'm probably going to market them with a marker to see if they move even a little bit....
Anyways, the ride with the STB is a big improvement! The car handles AMAZINGLY now...even better than my GS430 with all the bracing....quite amazing how well the SC handles in general! I guess that Supra DNA really helps!
Last edited by Manaray; 04-21-03 at 05:00 AM.
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04-23-03, 04:17 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Damn Mike, your car already handled incredibly well in the canyon without the STBs, I can only imagine how it drives now!!! Awesome job, I'm glad it worked out well, now for those coilovers...
You mean the Soarer DNA really helps the Supra. Remember, the MKIV chassis came out AFTER the SC/Soarer 
Originally posted by Manaray
I guess that Supra DNA really helps!
I guess that Supra DNA really helps!
04-25-03, 04:01 PM
#14
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JIC
Originally posted by legendary
excellent info Manny
Now I don't have to reinvent the wheel.
Who sells the CF for the strut bar? Did you do that yourself?
excellent info Manny
Now I don't have to reinvent the wheel.
Who sells the CF for the strut bar? Did you do that yourself?
JIC makes that particular one on Manaray's SC. JIC also makes it in polished as well.
04-25-03, 05:17 PM
#15
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Originally posted by lex400sc
Anyone make a rear strut tower bar application yet?
Anyone make a rear strut tower bar application yet?
I had made a thread about the rear strut bar before. It was determined that the bar is more for show than anything. The manufacturer of that particular bar was not determined, although it did look very similar to a Cusco.