Spiker Engineering High lift hood struts for the 3rd Gen Tacoma

Great pics, thank you!

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you're enjoying the benefits of the high-lift struts! You know, we started out making these kits for the 3rd Gen 4Runner world, but I have to say that the 3rd Gen Tacoma is probably the perfect candidate for these kits - it's a modern truck that should be equipped with gas struts from the factory (like most other vehicles), but isn't, despite the $40,000 price tag; and, it has a much lower open hood height than previous gens, to the point of being ridiculously difficult to work on under the hood.

 

Toyota psychology to just get you to take it to the dealer.

 

Looks great! Does that wire on the driver's side get close to the strut?

 

Thanks! Great product. The wire is fine for the time being and doesn't interfere with the strut but does need to be relocated when i have a chance. It's for a scoop light bar

 

Perfect!

 

I finally installed my Spiker Engineering hood struts. I have been waiting for the snow to stop and today is sunny and kinda cool!


These are easy to install. I used a #10 drill bit which is slightly larger than a 3/16" bit. I set the height for an extra 6".










I used this Arrow rivet gun for the 3/16 rivets (Yellow Tip).

 

Has anyone installed a set in a vehicle that has a PowerTray and/or Genesis dual battery set-up?
I am curious about clearance with these two items

 

I have them in with a Powertray for sPod. It's real close, but I don't see any issues.

 

Nice work @SmileyGuy, glad you were finally able to get them in! You likely get the award for the coldest temperature installation - hopefully you were able to work indoors?

 

@crashdb, would you mind posting a picture of your setup, for future reference? I'm trying to maintain a database of what mods work or don't work with the strut kit, so this would be very helpful.

 

Sure thing. Wish I had known. I replaced a Switch Pro with this sPod.

 

Would you mind posting some photos of your setup?

 

How smooth do the struts open the hood? Is it easy to close under the hoods own weight?

 

I also have a large CAI on the passenger side.






I am still working out where I want items placed on the powertray. So it is not mounted in the vehicle yet. Depending on how close the hood strut would be, might influence final positioning, (keeping in mind I also have to relocate the clutch reservoir). The sheet of paper represents a solar charger controller.

 

Two pics. Up close you can see the sPod lid is close to the strut, but it doesn't hit. sPod is brand new and there's no marks on it.

 

Smooth as butter. I can close with my little finger.
Here's a shitty video I made demoing just that (was practicing first-time editing)

 

That looks great

 

@SpikerEng Good excuse to buy the Milwaukee Cordless rivet gun. Injuries don’t allow me to use a manual gun. Either way install was straightforward and clean. Thanks Leon.

 

TW has cost me yet more money. I have an older friend that has sworn by hood struts for years. Finally pulled the trigger on a pair of my own.