Making my own strut brace!

[patmanbbe]

I wanted to get some opinions on my design. I am using 1" square tube made from steel. I will be attaching it to the firewall for increased stiffening.

Attached files

[Kincaid]

I have no engineering background at all but that looks pretty dang stout!

[Salsa Guy]

Cool! My only concern is attaching stuff to the firewall. You may need to add a re-enforcing plate to the firewall where you attach your strut bar

[patmanbbe]

Quote, originally posted by rmckinjr »Cool! My only concern is attaching stuff to the firewall. You may need to add a re-enforcing plate to the firewall where you attach your strut bar That is a good idea It would be easy to make a plate to go on the other side of the strut brace behind the firewall. Thanks for the idea!I hope to get this all welded up and painted this weekend. i will post pics as I go!

[MotoAce51]

Using 1" with that design it seems like your adding a lot of weight. Are you adding box tubing or bar? What wall thickness?

[patmanbbe]

After looking at the design for the last couple of days I was thinking the same thing. The Industrial Hardware store had some smaller square tube I am going to go look at after work this morning. Because I am essentially running two of the tubes across I think I can go bit smaller and still get a very stiff brace. I am also looking at a few variations of my design. I am trying to combine the DC brace and the triangular brace you see on the EVO and the Alltrac. Thanks for the ideas guys!Here is a design I worked on today.

Attached files

[patmanbbe]

Here is another concept. It is very similar to the previous one without all the bracing in the middle.

Attached files

[MotoAce51]

Post up a pic of the 2 designs your looking at. I can do a quick 3D model to show you how it may look when completed.

[patmanbbe]

Here is the DC sports strut brace: Here is the Evo Strut brace:

[MotoAce51]

Thats actually not too bad. I can def see the concepts your thinking now. The third one looks just like the evo one. But I think a combo of option 1 and 3 would be the best. Are you going to use steel or aluminum?

[Sublimewind]

I wouldn't attach it to the firewall if I was you.. You are just asking for trouble... The vibe flexes like a wet noodle, you'll end up folding the firewall, as it's not designed for it like the EVO is (and I've seen a similar bar in person, but it was the Ti version)There is a reason MOST bars aren't triangulated in this area... not being an engineer here "could" potentially net you problems you hadn't anticipated..

[patmanbbe]

Just an update I will be fabricating and welding this beast up on Friday Morning. I decided not to attach it to the fire wall as there really just is not enough room. I may do a 4 point with tubing going to the front corners of the engine compartment. Design concept to follow....

[mac99d]

I would stay away from the fire wall. here are some pic's of the one I made for my car.

[patmanbbe]

That is beautiful work bro! Steel mounts with aluminum cross brace, nice design. I will probably use the existing strut top bracket as well for mine. Still not 100% sure on which design I will use, I have a good mechanic and welder who is going to help me fab it up. I am going to rely on his input for the final design. I wont have time to paint it tomorrow but I will probably do that on saturday. This raw steel will rust bad!

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by mac99d »I would stay away from the fire wall. here are some pic's of the one I made for my car.Metal work, sharp instruments possibly welding and sandals........ OSHA approved..

[Salsa Guy]

LOL