How-To: Installing a 2nd Gen Probe Rear Strut Bar into a 1st Gen Probe
Tools Required:
- 17mm socket or box wrench
- 14mm socket
- Screwdrivers (both Philips and Flathead)
- Dremmel
- Drill
- Rat tail file
Extra items required: 8 washers
Step 1: Remove all interior trunk panels by carefully removing all screws and pushpins.
Step 2: Remove the seat belt harness, seat belt mount, and the 2 inside nuts for the struts.
Step 3: Test fit the bar for length and proper mounting location. I used the cardboard box the bar came in to make a fixture and properly locate the mounting holes.
Step 4: Mark and drill the new hole in the RSTB bracket and use a rat-tail file to finish.
Also, use the rat-tail file to elongate the last hole in the bracket to properly fit the bracket in alignment.
Step 5: The seat belt mounting bracket(s) will need to be modified as well. You can visualize where to file/dremmel the locations where the RSTB bracket will protrude. Test fit the modified brackets until they sit almost flat on the strut perch. The seatbelt mount should look like this:
Step 6: Repeat steps 2 through 5 on the opposite side.
Step 7: When the seatbelt mounts are modified to fit, you will need to place two washers on each strut bolt (on top of RSTB mount) in place of the original fasteners. This way your trunk panels will fit properly.
Step 8: Place the seatbelt mounts on top and secure them with the original nuts. Also, install the seatbelts on top of the mount.
Step 9: Install the lower trunk panel and visually locate where to dremmel to remove material for the RSTB mount to fit.
Step 10: Install the upper trunk panel and visually locate where to dremmel to remove material for the RSTB mount to fit.
Step 11: Install the rear trunk panels.
Step 12: Secure the RSTB to the mounts with the bolt provided. And the finished project should look similar to this:
