[WinRice]

Right side x-brace and cross brace mounts. Most of the bolt-in braces seem to use pretty flimsy end connections, and I felt I needed to get the brace load more centered on the top of the strut, rather than offset like some of the other solutions. What I've found in the past is heim ends don't work very well with double tab connections unless the tabs are very thick or a bushing is used so the hole doesn't enlarge over time. I chose to use bushings that I made from 5/8" bar on a mini lathe. Rather than using a nut on the back side, I machined the back bushing hole smaller and tapped it.




Same side with the heim ends installed. The reinforcement around the lower crossbrace mount was also puddle welded through the wheelhouse to the 'Alarcon' plate to further tie things together and spread the load out.




Left side x-brace mount. The small angle plate at the bottom is to strengthen the connection between the smuggler box panel and the wheelhouse. What looks like a sloppy weld at the wheel house is where I cut small slots and welded the plate to the 'alarcon' plate and the wheel house for a better connection. You can also see additional stitch welds added to the strut tower cover to the wheel house, and at the smugglers box panel to the wheel house.