PP Strut Tower Brace kit + Cowl Extension + Lower K Brace Install Guide

They will fit any of the S550 cars. I've put them on my V6 which basically everything this generation (from Ford) has not mentioned compatibility for.

I held off on putting the brace on today though, figured if I was going to have to do part on stands I might as well do the whole thing. Shouldn't be too bad anyway.

Excellent. I've got the GT350 strut tower brace already but I'd need the cowl extension and lower k member. So then I'm guessing I'd put in the extension and the strut tower brace all at one time because the plastic cowl cover is off?

Yes, I would definitely recommend doing the firewall extension, cowl brace, and strut tower brace at the same time. Strut tower you can easily do whenever, but if you're already doing the cowl brace, may as well do the firewall extension at the same time (if you were considering doing it at least) because otherwise you'd need to remove the cowl brace and the plastic shroud again.

Cowl extension and bolts on order so I can do that and the strut tower brace in one fell swoop. Had I not discovered this thread I'd never have known about the extension :headbonk:. Since I didn't get a chance to mod out my '98 coupe, gotta do it to this one... :frusty:

Got mine all finished up this morning, haven't driven it yet. Wanted to say thanks again for posting this thread up with all the parts #s and instructions!

Installed the extension and cowl brace. Definitely recommend removing the right wiper to access the space to maneuver the extension into place under the firewall lip. The OP's write up is right on :hail: . Lower brace is next as funds allow

mustang_puppy said:

Lower brace is next as funds allow

Click to expand...

Levittownfordparts helped me with a good deal on mine, but you could also check with local parts dealers (Jim Vernee or something like that I think it was) to get close on price with low shipping.

Still waiting for the tower strut support and firewall bracket (all together) to show up via ford performance via Steeda. Apparently it was backordered when I bought it - didn't know. Now I'm waiting for going on three weeks now for it to show up. then I'll do all of this.

I was under the car today doing some suspension work and lo and behold my car has the lower k brace already factory installed. Alright! Less work, more money for porn... I mean... mods yeah that's it.

Finally done! The final two pieces came from levittown on Saturday. I was able to get this done in about 2 hours now that I had all of the pieces and hardware. Hardest part was getting the bolts torqued under the cowling, and making sure my wipers went back on the right way.

Thanks a ton. The instructions here made it really easy to jump from one section to another.

The only feedback I'd add is:
1. Mention the sizes of the other bolts we use. For example the 7mm head screws that hold the new insulator together.
2. Include additional tools one would use in the list.

That it. Fairly painless.

CVCashmere said:

Could use some advice:

My vert came with the strut bar and the upper K bar. I am trying to look at it to determine if Ford installed the flat extension piece as part of it?

If you have the upper K and the strut bar, do you automatically get the extension piece too?

i have been using a flashlight to try and determine it?

Any help is appreciated.

thanks

CVCashmere

Click to expand...

Yea I'm sure it does. I have the 20" rim package and it comes with it.

If you look into the front wiper grille area with a flashlight you can see the little stepped part of it where it bolts on.

Look at the picture of that part really good and it's orientation to the firewall and then look in there with a flashlight and look for the bolt mounting points and you'll see it.

You can't see the entire brace but once you know what you're looking for you can see that it's there

I looked a few weeks ago and can't remember the specifics but If you can't find it post up and I'll circle where on the part you can see and where on the car to look.

CVCashmere said:

Could use some advice:

My vert came with the strut bar and the upper K bar. I am trying to look at it to determine if Ford installed the flat extension piece as part of it?

If you have the upper K and the strut bar, do you automatically get the extension piece too?

i have been using a flashlight to try and determine it?

Any help is appreciated.

thanks

CVCashmere

Click to expand...

You will see them stacked on top of each other - roughly two pieces of black steel. The Upper K-member is fairly thick - almost 1/4", but the extension piece is a bit thinner, but you'd see both right at the front of the cowling stacked. If you remove the 6 plastic snap-in fasteners along the cowl you can lift it up and peek directly to see more clearly. If they don't install that then they'd have a gap between the metal on the firewall (painted) and the underside of the upper K-member, so there has to be something in there holding that space.

If you don't have either of these pieces like I didn't (b/c I didn't have a PP car) there's roughly half of an upper K-member's worth of plastic put in there that attaches to the passenger side strut tower held in with 4 bolts. It's thicker than the upper K-member to take up the additional space. So the bottom line - if you buy a complete strut tower kit complete with upper K-member you'd be scratching your head wondering what to do about that gap if you didn't have the extension plate.

I couldn't believe that piece of plastic is what they had in there stock. What a waste. It does nothing to provide stability. It just fills a void. I'm so glad I did this.

If I wanted to only make it easier to do oil changes would I only need:

Insulator FR3Z-6P013-B
Under Cover Screw W715060-S450B

I already have an STB and a BMR K-brace and am not that interested in the lower Cross-Member as it's stiff enough at the moment. Will these bolt on fine without it? If the below is necessary judging by reading the thread it'll work fine with my current brace?

Lower Cross-Member FR3Z-5025-A
Lower Crossmember Bolt W718025-S439

Edit:
Seems like I'll also need the PP splash shield (FR3Z-17626-D) since it's smaller. Duh.

draconis123 said:

If I wanted to only make it easier to do oil changes would I only need:

Insulator FR3Z-6P013-B
Under Cover Screw W715060-S450B

I already have an STB and a BMR K-brace and am not that interested in the lower Cross-Member as it's stiff enough at the moment. Will these bolt on fine without it? If the below is necessary judging by reading the thread it'll work fine with my current brace?

Lower Cross-Member FR3Z-5025-A
Lower Crossmember Bolt W718025-S439

Edit:
Seems like I'll also need the PP splash shield (FR3Z-17626-D) since it's smaller. Duh.

Click to expand...

The insulator and the lower K-member work together on the installation, so I don't think you can skip the K-member or the 6 bolts that hold it in if you want that new insulator as well. I assume your BMR unit bolts over the top of them.