Stock GT Strut bar on Vert Options

[jlspec]

Ok, I just installed the stock strut bar on a vert. I've been trying to get the TRD version but i am unable to find one in good condition. Anyway I've notice a slight improvement and was just wondering if any other vert owners notice it too. Sometimes I think it's just all in my mind.

[SupraKid]

All verts are GT, therefor they come with that strut bar stock....

[jlspec]

All verts are GT, therefor they come with that strut bar stock....

That's what I thought, but after reading some fourms its only on the GT with Sport Options AKA GTS option. My vert didn't come with the strut bar and after looking at the car itself it never had it. The firewall bolt location has two factory stickers covering the holes. When I remove them, they were cleaned and never had a screw in it.

[richee3]

What year is your vert? The later model GT's didn't get the front strut bar. I just added front and rear strut bars to my hatch and I could feel a very noticeable difference. I understand the rear strut bar will make a bigger difference than the front, since it works to tighten the front end.

[Malhar95]

i have a 95 vert, it came with strut bar, not sure about any sports package, but i know thats its just a GT.


however, i removed the strut bar in the front, and didnt notice ANY difference. its a daily driver and has never seen the track when in my posesion, but i do make some tight turns and the strut bar didnt really make a difference. and i put it back on a few months back and still no difference.

idk, should i be concerned? lol

[jlspec]

It's a 1999 Vert. From what Keiri said in a earlier fourm the 99 GT came with the GT Sport suspension already on it. The strut bar I have notice it on most GT that I have come across, but I have seen a couple without it (this came from my search for the gen 6 celica, as you may know I just got the car recently). After some more testing with it on and off I can say the difference is there. I had my girlfriend drive the car for a bit with it on, and then I remove it without telling her. All I told her was that I added the K&N filter, but she responeded saying the ride seems slightly different. I asked how, and she said the steering wheel felt different when turning. She doesn't know much about cars. So after I added it back on she said the ride was better and felt normal again. I didn't need to explain anything to her, but just said thanks.

This post has been edited by jlspec: Aug 14, 2011 - 8:29 PM

[RabidTRD]

I took mine off when I first got the car to determine the effectiveness. Toyota wouldn't put it there if it didn't make a difference and I can honestly say that hitting a turn at 30mph without that feels like crap. Then I put it back on and put in the ST205 rear bar. Hit the same curve even faster, with even more control. Now I've got a cross bar that goes between both struts on the way that is designed to go with the OEM strut to firewall bar. I didn't want the TRD one because I'd have to take the whole bar off every time I wanted to do a tune up, or tinker. This one comes off much easier.

[richee3]

It was either in '97 or '98 that Toyota stopped putting the strut bar on the USDM GT's.

[RabidTRD]

It was either in '97 or '98 that Toyota stopped putting the strut bar on the USDM GT's.

I didn't understand that decision. Maybe they thought the side skirts added enough stability

This post has been edited by RabidTRD: Aug 14, 2011 - 9:14 PM

[jlspec]

I guess after they realize that the 5S-FE was not cutting it, they remove it to save on cost and to target a different group of buyers. The 94-99 Celica from what I have seen looks to be mostly female drives. Guess that's why the Sport Option (GTS Option) was an option to start with instead of calling it GT-S (Grand Touring Sport).

[freddy121389]

it was 98 then cuz my 97 vert has the strut bar

[FORGMANN]

Btw the vert bar is same one the st205 gets. It has extra bracing around firewall
bolt holes. Just a fyi if anyone goes to buy one from a junkyard get the vert one.

[Batman722]

It was either in '97 or '98 that Toyota stopped putting the strut bar on the USDM GT's.

98. It's true.
Toyota was going for better ride comfort.

[jlspec]

Btw the vert bar is same one the st205 gets. It has extra bracing around firewall
bolt holes. Just a fyi if anyone goes to buy one from a junkyard get the vert one.

What do you mean? The ST204 has the exact same setup. It's the V shape strut bar with two bolts at the firewall. If it's different please post some pic of the GT4, thanks.