X-Runner: X-Brace

Has anyone taken a look to see the X-Brace that gives the X-Runner its name? Any pics?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/trdcamry2003/HPIM0418.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/trdcamry2003/HPIM0419.jpg

Okay, I think I get it. Looks like they are tying together the rear mounts of the leaf springs. So they are stiffening up the rear suspension mounts for better frame stiffness. Looks like it would be pretty easy to duplicate on older taco, although the large tube diameter is probably fairly thin wall, in order to get stiffness without too much weight.

there are also 2 little things, one under the driver floorboard and one under the passanger they connect the frame the crossmember in a triangle.

Can someone get an XR up on a lift and take a bunch of pictures please? I'm going to be cross-bracing my frame here very soon and would like to get a better idea on where to put em.

I might see if Koons will let me use their XR tonight to research it.

I don't even know if I can fit my XR in my uncle's shop... The garage door is hella narrow...

If I can, I'll see if I can take a pic (knowing me it'll be a 100 or more LOL)...

No promises as I don't think I can fit... If I can, no one will get better shots than me http://www.CustomTacos.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

so since i have a PRErunner does that mean i have a brace in the shape of a PRE http://www.CustomTacos.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

That would make it ONE custom Taco!!! http://www.CustomTacos.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif

I should fab mine into the shape of an SX then http://www.CustomTacos.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

So boost, you seriously going to bend steel and what not? Or you know someone that'll do it?

It would be damn pimp tho if you can do it... Does the SR have a tow hitch? That might be a prob because according to Cam, a tow hitch would be in the way of the X braces...

Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the talking when I take them...

Good luck on the conversion... Maybe the SRX will be the NEXT Taco out of Toyota's lines along with a STD cab beast?!?!

My standard cab does not have a hitch.

At this point I'm thinking of 2 diagonal braces under the cab from frame to crossmember, moving the spare tire to the bed and putting a hard X-brace there (also hanging my air supplies there), and possibly a cross or X-brace in front of the rear axle if I have room for it.

Also on the list is a rear sway bar and possibly a new front one. How different are the S-Runner front and stock front sway bars?

I'll be doing the fabrication at a friend's shop.

Everything you want to know about S-Runner anti sway bars, the S-Rnr front bar is 12% stiffer than the stock one on my '02 2.4: S-Rnr vs. 2.4L ASB thread (http://www.customtacos.com/forum/showthread.php?p=364309)

O.K. I know a couple of you guys out there have access to custom fabrication abilities--and by the title of this post you know what I'm talking about. The X-braces on the XR are just bolt on items and are made from steel, and I thought some aluminum one's might shed a little weight. Only problem I forsee, is that I read an article that said Toyota was so proud of their rear brace design, that they applied for a patent on it. So, my question is, are any of you guys out there working on some?

Later.

they are made of tubing. going aluminum would cost alot of money and not be very benificial. also take into consideration that they are designed to flex, something aluminum doesnt do well. ( it cracks)

The front, left, and right are made from stampped steel; only the rear is tubular. Yes it would cost money; and you would have to use a billet that is thick enough to do the same job. HKS makes aluminum suspension braces for Hondas and other cars all the time with great success. If done correctly, they should be about 30 percent lighter, and not show any signs of cracking for a very long time, if at all.

you might save a whole extra 2lbs maybe 5lbs MAX....I think its def not worth it

If you're hardcore swap out your windows for light weight plexi glass http://www.CustomTacos.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

I still want someone to take some %*#&@ pictures of the x-braces so I can fabricate some for my mini http://www.CustomTacos.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

and I thought some aluminum one's might shed a little weight.


Just take 'em off, and see if you notice the difference in weight and faster acceleration.

You could make that out of alminum and it won't break. It will most likely not weigh any less since you need to use hiem joints and some steel to make new brackets and such to mount it.

Guess I'll take 'em off and see how much they weigh; my idea with this goes along with investigating other possible items to lighten the load--in the case of aluminum x-braces, not loose their benifits.

See if I can work on it this weekend.