TRD Door Stabilizer Set
 

Took the opportunity of a sunny Sydney day to try out a set of TRD Door Stabilizer.

Box with part numbers
http://users.tpg.com.au/psoo2010/TRD...2000.31.20.jpg

Love the way it opens in an origami way.
http://users.tpg.com.au/psoo2010/TRD...2000.33.04.jpg


There are plenty of threads on the forum discussing how the stabilizer works and its merit, so I wont go into that.
http://users.tpg.com.au/psoo2010/TRD...2000.34.28.jpg

This is the spring-loaded contact plate for the black bit to wedge into.
http://users.tpg.com.au/psoo2010/TRD...2000.35.30.jpg


The installation is very straight forward, but like one of the other threads mentioned the screws holding the factory door latch must have been tighten by a robot, so make sure you have a socket wrench to loosen them.
http://users.tpg.com.au/psoo2010/TRD...2002.04.38.jpg

Another tip is that there will be enough space for you to slip the spring loaded cover back over the bolts, so no need to worry about it when you tighten the bolts.

First impression after installation is that the doors now require a bit more effort to close, especially if you do not have the momentum of a fully opened door.

Someone mentioned that they hoped the door would close like Euro cars (with a thud) after installing the stabilizers- sorry, noop.

Pretty hard to gauge the effectiveness of the stabilizer on metro Sydney roads, so I'll reserve my final judgement until I have another run of Putty/ Bells line of Road. But according to my TMC contact these stabilizers have been on constant back order since launch, and my favourite saying is "if the restaurant is full, it cant be that bad."

On a side note I also noticed something about the TRD sports filters- it's the same as Corolla's and Rav4's. Caught me by surprise, and if any of you want a sports filter in a hurry there's no reason why a K&N filter for Corolla and Rav wouldnt work.
http://users.tpg.com.au/psoo2010/TRD...2002.16.08.jpg

Thanks for the update and the air filter info. I would have thought that our filters would have more surface area than a Corolla. Parts bin ftw?

Looks awesome where were you able to get the door kit and do you mind posting or PMing me the price? Cheers

Any details where you got the door kit from?

I got my door set today. OMG.. it is ridiculously HARD to even make the original screws loosen(chassis side). :(

I think there is a big demand for these because it's the only affordable TRD part.

not really. the cheapest TRD part for 86 is the radiator cap (3,150 yen). ;)

however for those who have this fitted, does it really make any noticiable difference?

thanks

^^ what he said! :)

Placebo? Most people can't tell tyre pressure differences of 10psi so I'm doubting these make a big difference for the everyday 86 driver.

+1

so i guess it won't appear on your car then?!

Not until I stop into the servo to correctly inflate my tyres. :p

If a set fall into my hands I'll test them at a track day, but they're not high on my list of things to purchase.

same here. i'd rather spend the money on sway bar end links or camber/caster adjustor for the moment.....

but i'm just curious if this actually works. if it does, it will be on my shipping list.

The cheapest easily seen Trd part that at least have some function dedicated to the 86?

But the TRD radiator cap is a higher pressure one which does a better job than stock. it's therefore functional. As opposed to the oil cap which doesn't improve anything other than look...

I guess.

I was looking at something that people could see and the car didnt actually already have. How much can a radiator cap do?

Well when you open the bonnet people can see the radiator cap just like people can see the door stabilizer when they open the door.

Also there is a door catch thing from stock and this TRD one replaced the factory one. Not exactly new lol

The radiator cap increases pressure by 0.2 bar I think and this increase pressure should reduce the chance of coolant reaching boiling point.

But I see your point!

For those that have installed this mod, did you guys have issues with door alignment after putting them on? And how can I adjust the position of the latch? My driver door now sits out more at the top rear portion of the door (not flush with the rear quarter panel). Also, the driver side door is noticeably harder to close (coupled with a clunking noise when closing, definitely making harder contact somewhere). No such issues with the passenger side.

I've got about 10 of the door stabilizer kits available at the moment if people are interested.

Did you solve the problem? I am about to fit mine.

No issues with alignment here. Make sure all the screws are installed all the way down, and that your using the TRD screws not the OEM ones.

Do the doors feel any different? When closing and opening?

Mine feel the same, nice and smooth. I did have an asshole of a time getting them fitted though. Had to get help getting the OEM bolts out after I stripped one.

Props to Garage 88 for the assist.

I could tell the diff of 5psi let alone 10 - low profile tyres on shitty Melbourne roads !!!!

Yeah there is a noticeable but satisfying and deeper toned thud. Think of a "S" classed Benz type of thud :P

Yup! i'm sold, stabilizers are going to be my next upgrade! :D

I'm with you davey. With my small amount of time with a demo car, I noticed the tinny sounding door. It definitely felt cheap, and I drive a Magna.

It is cheap, it's a $30k car!!!

Which is fair enough. But a Corolla sounds better.

Becos of the frameless doors!

Use a rubber mallet and knock the latch in place. You have to loosen up the 2 screws first.

Can't be the reason. I drive an 05 Magna (frameless doors) and it sounds nice. But I know I'm going to be happy when I finally get my car because the only thing I can complain about is the sound the doors make.

I reckon a lot depends on how much rubber seal is around the door. I maintain the seals on my Celica & it still sounds great. From memory tho the 86's door was lighter to use compared to the Celica and this will have a bearing too.

I got mine aligned. Turns out it was a latch but the actual panel itself. One of the screws holding the panel came loose.

Im sorry but i cant let this go on any longer..

the TRD door stabilisers are not to give the door a different clunk..

Picture an engine bay. it is a box, and it subjected to forces of twisting.. we know that putting a strut brace in there will stiffen it up so it does not flex as much, making the bodyshell stiffer and allowing the suspension to work more effectively.\

now picture a chassis (specifically the big hole where a door goes)
now, to make that area alot more rigid and less prone to flexing we can weld a bar that goes across the door opening and this will help alot.

since this is a road car and we dont want a rollcage with door bars, the next best thing is to make the door a sort of strut brace.. because the hinges are bolted they dont need attention, but the play in the latch is enough that the door will slightly move around on the body. this is going to be unavoidable without some sort of interference fit.

this is where the door stabilisers come in.. this effectively jams the door closed making it a much more solid structure than the unmodified door, and goes a bit further towards our idea of a strut brace for the door.

im sorry if it has been said before but there seems to still be people thinking that this is to give their doors a different clunk..

On the topic of the sound of the door clunk, it actually comes mainly from latching mech inside the door, the types of rubber and how much, also what it is attached to.
Plus then the amount of vibration deadener on the panels themselves.

IMO, if you're concerned about the noise the door makes when closing, you *may* be missing the point of an affordable, light weight, low frills sports car?

Refer to my last post. And besides, the way objects sound give it more life and feeling. Out of that you get more confidence and respect for the object, it's all based around emotion.

When Microsoft revealed its new Surface tablet, one of the presenters talked endlessly about the sound the stand makes when you shut it and open it. Describing the emotion people get from such a simple thing.

That's why this car exists, it's the way it makes you feel when you drive it, satisfied.

I have shitload of confidience, satisfaction and respect in/from/for my 86 and not one little bit of it is because of the noise the door makes, it's because of the way it DRIVES, which is why it was built... Drivers car ;)

:bow: Amen to that.