Hood quicklift system

I tried Sokietech, but they would not fit mine like the said it would. I guess Redline seems to be the favorite. I'll probably go with those.

 

I have had Redlines on my Mustang but Spikers on my Tacoma. I feel the Spikers are more solid feeling and appear to be heavy duty feeling.

 

Well... I might as well do it... @SpikerEng @RedlineTuning

 

Redline Elites for my 2021 Sport!

 

It's not exactly what you're asking, but you could install our Ultimate Lift struts so that the hood opens to the extended height when you want it to, but then use the prop rod as a height limiter when you're in the carport.

A really clever approach would be to use struts that have two positions - a "normal" position and a "service" position. You can switch from one to the other with a push of a button. The latter allows the hood to open to almost 90 deg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-B-NCYnRJE&ab_channel=FCPEuro

Normal:



Service:

 

You keep your prop for back up, and any parts place even remotely worth a damn can cross reference your old struts for replacements, if you can't get new ones through the manufacturer.

BTW, I installed a set of these on my '90 HiLux, under the Rancho name (only because I couldn't find any others, back then), and they lasted well over 20 years before I had to replace them. I went with Redline extended on my Taco.

 

I got the Redline's in late 19, there still working well.

 

I appreciate the info! After reading this thread yesterday afternoon, I decided to go ahead and order the Redline products…went with the Elite models, because they’re stainless and I live in the rust belt now. Shockingly, UPS shows them being delivered today! Going to need to find some 1J9 touch up paint today! Lol!

 

Looks like they'll continue to cheap out on this for 2024, even if you pay $70k (or whatever) for a Limited with the hybrid powertrain, you're still given just a prop rod, now on the driver's side. All the money went to the chrome:

 

At least the hood is aluminum, so it won't be as obnoxiously heavy.

 

Why Spiker and not the $129 Redline?

$130 Redline Tuning 21-27015-03 Hood QuickLIFT Elite System Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 2016-2023 (Stainless Steel Struts)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C221YJY?smid=A3QYQQG0DSYESL

 

That'll be interesting to watch during crash tests.

 

I’ve had Redline hood struts on for five and a half years now and they work like the first day I installed them. No complaints.

 

Spiker struts here as well.

FWIW, if the struts fail during the warranty period they'll replace them, but if you can't get replacements from the original manufacturer for some reason they're very common and you can buy almost any size, charge, etc. from several companies (Google "replacement gas struts"). They pop on and off very easily.

 

Hood struts are one of the best mods I've done. Appreciate them every time I open the hood.

 

It's designed with grooves to fold up in a crash, just like steel hoods. Toyota used aluminum hoods in Supras 30 years ago. The few extra dollars aluminum costs prevented more widespread use, until fuel economy regulations forced their hand.

After discovering how flimsy my steel fender is (it weighs less than the bubble wrap it came in), I have no quelms with aluminum parts in non-structural applications.

 

Gotta say, Redline has some awesome Customer Service!

Placed my order online, yesterday about 2:30pm. Called them about 20 mins later, asking for them to add a few extra rivets (because I always loose or mangle at least 1 of such things). They stated “no problem”.
My order, with a couple of extra rivets, went out yesterday evening, and was delivered to my door about 90 mins ago. Just finished the install!



FWIW…I did mangle 1 rivet, and lost another down the garage drain.

 

They are not bolt in, you hold the hood at the height you want and drill out the holes and rivet. There is no minimum height, but there is a maximum height for hood struts.

Alternatively you just keep the stock hood brace and use it as a height limiter.

 

Our ‘17 4Runner has OEM hood struts and they’re just ok. The Spiker struts I installed on my Tacoma are stronger, and they let the hood open way higher than the OEM struts on the 4Runner… about 8-10” more. I guess it was nice not to have to spend any extra money on struts for the 4Runner, but Toyota kinda cheaped out on them, so I’m glad my Tacoma has the Spikers. I also bought Spikers for my 3rd gen 4runner, and will probably buy a set for my ‘96 T100 too, just haven’t yet…

 

Agree....And a telescopic paint roller handle works perfectly as a prop rod to set the exact height you want while installing.