Redline hood struts

Great prouduct. Instructions are very good. As mentioned above measure accurately. Paint the exposed metal. Use a good pop rivet gun. I used the stainless steel version with no regrets. The hood practically lifts itself! Best bang for the buck.

 

Installation is pretty easy.
I believe the instructions says to use a 3/16 drill bit, but I found that the hole size was too tight for the rivet.
So I went and did 3/16, then one size larger.
The rivets went in snug, and made installation far easier.

I did scratch the underhood paint on the last rivet...

I hit up the joints with silicone grease and anti corrosion from time to time.

 

I like mine. Easy install, just follow the instructions and don’t go cowboy crazy.

 

This:

 

I tried using one of those. It still slipped and almost damaged one of my other projects i was working on. Now i dont trust them.

 

The fit and finish on this product is top notch. There is no problem with clearance for the hood fitting flush when closed providing that they are installed properly.

 

I wrapped my drill bit with a little masking tape for a depth gauge. Worked just fine.

 

Bob Vila don't use them either.

 

If Bob doesn't use them, then neither do I.

 

My neighbor who has virtually no arm strength because he is lazy had has zero mechanical aptitude or tools was able to install his. He did have to barrow my drill, bits, rivet gun, and a 5lbs sledge (the sledge was just for humor on my part). After watch him carefully measure for 2 hours, bravely seeing his wife hold the punch while he struggled with two hands tapping with the 5lbs sledge, an hour of drilling at the slowest speed possible, 15 minutes of staring aimlessly at the rivet gun as if it would come to him how to use it before asking me for the 3rd time, he finally was able to open and close his hood like any Lexus owner can. Personally I will keep my cash and use the prop.

 

That's right!

 

I'm glad that I still have enough strength to lift my hood without the use of struts so I don't have to borrow tools from my neighbor. And rob him of the enjoyment of posting it online then talk nice to my face when he sees me.

 

Most drills will accept the bit so you only have a small portion of the drill bit exposed. Then you do not have to worry about drilling through the hood. You can also snap the bit off. I always save my broken bits for a application like this. The other suggestions work as well

 

No issues for me installing. I measured, drilled and painted one evening and finished up the next day. I used the metal collar drill stop since I had them on hand and have used them in the past with good results.

One point on painting the holes to prevent rust. Even though I let it dry overnight, I'm pretty sure a lot of the paint got scrapped off pushing the rivet in and stretching the pop rivet into place. The hole is tight and of course the pop rivet gun puts a lot of pressure on it. So I applied some anti rust gun oil (Breakfree Collector) on the hole and rivet before inserting. I don't know if this will completely stop rust but figured it can't hurt.

As to the hood staying flush, well mine does but since there is a little upward pressure from the struts even when closed, I can see it could be a problem if your latch has a lot of play in it. I doubt this is the case on fairly new trucks and if it is lose, the hood would not be secure even without the struts. I think if you do begin to see some play in the latch, this can be adjusted.

A great, fairly inexpensive addition that you'll appreciate every time you open you engine compartment.

 

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^
Is the way I feel about hood struts for my Tacoma. Getting ready to change my spark plugs for the third time. And I have to say at this point that the prop rod is not in the way of this operation like the struts would be. Like stated above I can sure use the $100.00 on something else.

 

You know you can simply pop the struts off temporarily when you need access to the side and use the prop rod to hold the hood up. It's not like you're stuck with the struts forever. But if you don't like them, you don't like them and that's cool.

 

10-4, I have a oil catch can and a stand alone electrical system for all my extras on the drivers side so I would probably have to move some of that just to mount that strut so I will just stick with the prop

 

I found a set this weekend that I forgot I bought. I've gone this far without them and I'm scared to drill lol. So I'm going to be selling them if anyone is interested. I should be listing them up in the B/S/T tomorrow.

 

Nonsense my good man ! Poppycock.

Take your time measure 10X onto a piece of painter's tape. Hold the struts up to your marks or have someone else hold them while you eyeball the locations.

Don't take a loss on these and don't deprive yourself of a really useful addition to your truck.

It ain't hard and requires only a couple basic tools. Don't be deterred. Check back with questions. You'll love this mod !

 

Just make sure to read them well, I wished they would have pictures for the opposite side. Ended up installing one wrong but called them and they said it’s all good. So even if you mess it up you’re still good to go.