The HR brace on the forward end of the lower control arms is definitely needed with most any suspension upgrade. That kit prevents the lower ca's from pushing forward and also upwards. Without them, once the stock weak welds break, those brackets go right up thru the floor & tear out the back seat & make a real mess!
As much as those braces do, they don't stop the 1/4 panel from buckling. The buckling happens most often with the frame notching, which takes much needed strength out of one area. Even a good rollcage won't always prevent it either.
The most effective FIX for this is to tie the forward mounting points of the lower ca's TOGETHER! What is happening is the frame rails are rolling up into the car now that the frame has lost it's integrity back there. Our braces keep the mounts attached to the frame, but don't keep the frame from twisting. We plan to make a rear crossmember bracket later this year to address this issue, but nothing available right now. Any type of bracing to keep that point from rolling up once power is applied will help. Other braces etc will HELP, but this will FIX it once & for all.
PS- Don't recommend poly body bushings that are available right now, they are too hard/stiff. If you make the body part of the structural integrity of the frame/chassis, then it will get stressed accordingly. Even though that may help make the car more rigid, the body was NEVER meant to be part of the chassis like that. Hope that helps!
