I'Who has a cross-bar installed?

[wizdom]

I've seen these being sold for like 100 bucks on groupbuycenter.com by AROSPEED.  They're supposedly "universal", but I don't see how that could be, unless it was adjustable.

Anyone know of where else I could find an X-bar.  Thanks

[Yoshi]

There are about 20 kinds of chassis support bars for our cars, F/R STBs Xbraces, tranny braces, sus-arm braces, etc etc...

being that it's made by arospeed (they make total crap IMHO), then it's most likely a front STB (strut tower brace).  Normally i'm of hte opinion that at STB is a STB... regardless of maker, it's function is so basic that unless it was REALLY poorly constructed, it doens't matter, but in this instance, a "universal" brace sounds more than a little suspect.  I'd say, stay FAR FAR away.

for $100, that's pretty damn expensive, you could get either OBX or Pilot front AND rear braces for around $80-$100 at a retail shop, just check around.

[240meowth]

i personally wouldn't go with the "universal" strut bar for s13 or s14.  because iirc a s14 bar won't fit on a s13...  'cause the hood won't close.

and especially the 240sx is a RWD car, that alone makes the strut bar different from teh FWD cars.  FWD cars usually have a streight solid bar across, while the RWD cars usually have a slightly curvy strut bar, to clear the engine.

[Agent_S13]

Hey guys-

I thought I'd chime in here. I don't think he's talking about the universal "strut bar" here. I think he's talking about the bars being sold by Arospeed that stiffen the chassis from within the cabin. I know that Alex Chang has one in his car and took a picture. I can't find it, but I found this one:

http://cjsupra.kendra.com/graphics/ModsPage/DoLck-1L.jpg

While the Arospeed is "universal" it involves a lot more work to install... cutting/drilling holes in the interior. I think the one that Alex had (made by Do-Luck) has applications made for specific cars (like our 240's) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

I've been suspect about the quality of Arospeed... sure they might make fine "general/universal" things, I woudln't go cheap when it comes to suspension (much like their coilovers). Hope this helps!

-Aaron
'91 240sx coupe

[hideyoshi]

The DoLuck crossbar, as mentioned above, also has fitment issues in a s13. You need to swap out the automatic seatbelts for manual ones. You also need to cut a hole in the rear trim, or remove it all together, to use the manual belts.

wizdom, jspec.com usually imports the Do-Luck crossbars

[rancid240]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> because iirc a s14 bar won't fit on a s13... &nbsp;'cause the hood won't close.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

I think its the other way around, actually. &nbsp;The bar in my car is made for an s14, and it rubs the valve cover..so i thiink an s13 bar would be bigger to clear the valve cover and then not allow an s14 hood to shut

[240meowth]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rancid240 @ May 05 2002,5:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> because iirc a s14 bar won't fit on a s13... 'cause the hood won't close.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

I think its the other way around, actually. The bar in my car is made for an s14, and it rubs the valve cover..so i thiink an s13 bar would be bigger to clear the valve cover and then not allow an s14 hood to shut</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
fine, my bad <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> u guys got the point

[Natty]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Agent_S13 @ May 04 2002,7:48)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">http://cjsupra.kendra.com/graphics/ModsPage/DoLck-1L.jpg</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Man, I want that guys leather. Mine are so shot, it's not funny.
Jeff

[Agent_S13]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
The DoLuck crossbar, as mentioned above, also has fitment issues in a s13. You need to swap out the automatic seatbelts for manual ones. You also need to cut a hole in the rear trim, or remove it all together, to use the manual belts.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

The fact that you need manual seatbelts before installing the bar is one obstacle that many choose not to get the bar. I guess if you're really serious about it, you'll do it. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

Natty-

I actually got that picture from a Supra owner who had the Do-Luck bar... but it is a clean interiour.

-Aaron
'91 240sx coupe

[ridebmx]

is the cross bar actually a worth while buy? i mean does it strenghten then chassis alot, or is it pretty much useless...just out of curiousity...

[adey]

I imagine since it's in the middle of the car and is not triangulated in any way... that no, it probably doesn't do a whole lot other than maintain an equal distance from sideskirt to sideskirt (side to side).
From what I remember from my pathetic 1st year physics class (or rather, my common sense) It probably just acts as a pivot around which the rest of the body can squirm? ... not to suggest it makes things worse, but I don't see it doing a whole lot. If it were triangulated, on the other hand, I can see it doing a LOT.

Does anyone (Do-Luck?) make triangulated braces that go in/on the undercarriage of our cars? Something like swaybars that go from side to side, but are triangulated -- I think that might do some more serious chassis stiffening.

Note once again, however, that the above is based purely on my (admittedly little) understanding of stresses placed on a car under load. &nbsp;

It seems these do-luck bars are for those who don't want to go all out with a roll cage... which is probably the only sure way to get a taut, tight body. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> something we allllll like huh!

[hideyoshi]

The crossbar will stiffen up the car quite a bit but I wouldn't waste the money on it if your car is just a daily driver.

I'm not sure if Do-Luck makes triangular braces, but they do make side braces, front & rear ladder bars, and these braces that go in the hatch as well - sort of looks like a cage.

Oh, here are some pics of the crossbar installed in s13s. First one is Alex's s13 coupe from Freshalloy and the 2nd shows the cutout for the belt that has to be done in order to keep the trim in a hatch.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid19/p4bd4eea3dba65d372cf659482374059f/fdc14d37.jpg.orig.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid19/pfe719728c860593fb82ecf7338059df4/fdc14d39.jpg.orig.jpg

[gh6o6]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (hideyoshi @ May 04 2002,9:47)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You need to swap out the automatic seatbelts for manual ones. You also need to cut a hole in the rear trim, or remove it all together, to use the manual belts.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
you dont actually need manual seatbelts only the bolt where there WOULD be one because thats where it bolts on to

[cmathews]

Ok, here's a question. Where do you get all of these non-standard bars such as the ladder bars, tranny bar, etc. I have only seen STB's and this internal chassis stiffener.


Chuck