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DIY Hood Struts - 2nd Gen

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by dpele, Jan 28, 2022.

  1. Jan 28, 2022 at 7:38 AM
    #1
    dpele

    dpele [OP] Pele Prints Vendor

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    Elka 2.0 w/ OME Dakars, 285/70/R17 Duratracs, & more!
    DIY hood struts!

    Super happy how they turned out. I initially installed 100 lbs struts but they are way too overkill. I am replacing them with 40 lbs ones right away. Hopefully they are much better.

    Here are the parts:
    [​IMG]
    C16-08316 20" 40lb Per Gas Strut Shock Lift Support for RV Door Bed Storage Truck Tonneau Cover Camper Shell Rear Window and Other Heavy Duty Box Lid, Set of 2 Vepagoo
    20" struts


    [​IMG]
    $12 10MM Ball Stud Mounting Brackets for Gas Struts Lift Supports Shocks Spring Prop Silver 4PCS, with 16 pcs Screws
    10mm ball stud mounting brackets



    You could use a little longer strut if you want the hood to open higher. I wasn't interested in this because my ditch lights are close to hitting the windshield with the hood prop rod.
    These are installed just like Spiker.

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    The driver side strut does have minor contact the fuse for my subs but I'm not worried about that.
    The strut also slightly touches the brake fluid reservoir when lowering. Also not worried about that.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]





    More information to come!
     
  2. Jan 28, 2022 at 7:39 AM
    #2
    dpele

    dpele [OP] Pele Prints Vendor

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    Elka 2.0 w/ OME Dakars, 285/70/R17 Duratracs, & more!
    Place Holder
     
  3. Jan 28, 2022 at 7:41 AM
    #3
    dpele

    dpele [OP] Pele Prints Vendor

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    Place Holder
     
  4. Jan 28, 2022 at 8:06 AM
    #4
    mikkydee

    mikkydee My Taco 2007 DCLB 4x4 Man Truck

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    6" lift, 20 " inch rims, 34" tires, billet grill, aftermarket fender flares, custom rear bumper, DVd player with backup camera, all LED lights
    Great find. Definitely cheaper than the Redline struts I put on mine.
     
    TRDSport10 and dpele[OP] like this.
  5. Jan 28, 2022 at 8:21 AM
    #5
    trktwo

    trktwo Nagger

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    liked
     
    dpele[OP] likes this.
  6. Jan 28, 2022 at 11:59 AM
    #6
    Geeves77

    Geeves77 Well-Known Member

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    Redline hood struts is what I use, quality stuff
     
  7. Jan 28, 2022 at 12:23 PM
    #7
    dpele

    dpele [OP] Pele Prints Vendor

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    Elka 2.0 w/ OME Dakars, 285/70/R17 Duratracs, & more!
    Great option. Spiker is another good one.
    Here in Canada, we get fucked in the currency exchange and shipping. So I needed to find other options than a company in the USA.
     
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  8. Jan 28, 2022 at 12:24 PM
    #8
    wi_taco

    wi_taco My skid plates give rocks taco flavored kisses

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    Nice DIY job! Looks like you've got $52 (USD) in it which is half the price of Redline or Spyker packages. Post back here if the struts fail so we can see how long they last.
     
    dpele[OP] likes this.
  9. Jan 28, 2022 at 12:27 PM
    #9
    dpele

    dpele [OP] Pele Prints Vendor

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    Will do. Also switching to lighter struts so I will report how those perform.
     
    ACEkraut likes this.
  10. Jan 28, 2022 at 1:19 PM
    #10
    dimigon

    dimigon Member

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    How did you calculate the mounting points for the length of struts you used?
     
    TRDSport10 and dpele[OP] like this.
  11. Jan 28, 2022 at 3:05 PM
    #11
    dpele

    dpele [OP] Pele Prints Vendor

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    I followed the Spiker installation manual. I had to do a couple easy modifications. Not hard at all.
    I attached Spiker and Redline install documents here.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Jan 28, 2022 at 3:57 PM
    #12
    dtaco10

    dtaco10 Well-Known Member

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    ^
     
    dpele[OP] likes this.
  13. Jan 28, 2022 at 5:25 PM
    #13
    SCSPerformance

    SCSPerformance Stealth Custom Series™ Vendor

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    This is a cool DIY!
     
    dpele[OP] likes this.
  14. Jan 28, 2022 at 8:42 PM
    #14
    hoffengineering

    hoffengineering Well-Known Member

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    Very cool. I always appreciate the effort people take find a good DIY way to get something built/done, I'm the same way. :thumbsup:
     
    dpele[OP] likes this.
  15. Jan 29, 2022 at 8:49 PM
    #15
    trktwo

    trktwo Nagger

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    @dpele thank you, just ordered. was $36 USD, i did have to change location to USA.
     
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  16. Jan 29, 2022 at 9:24 PM
    #16
    Trungtaco

    Trungtaco Well-Known Member

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    Nice setup.
     
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  17. Jan 31, 2022 at 8:13 AM
    #17
    dpele

    dpele [OP] Pele Prints Vendor

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    Awesome!
    For everyone in the US, I guarantee there is some very similar products on Amazon.com (instead of .ca). This will probably give you free and fast shipping.
    If you guys find the matching product, post the link on here to give others some help!
     
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  18. Jan 31, 2022 at 10:52 AM
    #18
    trktwo

    trktwo Nagger

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    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MWK6DBF?ie=UTF8

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FJ1L7LG?ie=UTF8
     
  19. Feb 11, 2022 at 7:10 AM
    #19
    dpele

    dpele [OP] Pele Prints Vendor

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    Update:
    • Originally had 100 lbs struts (Vepagoo) - way to strong. It was too much to pull the hood down.
    • Replaced with 40 lbs struts (Vepagoo) - hood would not raise on it's own, but it would stay up. Too weak.
    • Replaced with 80 lbs struts (Red Hound Auto) - nice and strong lift. Decently easy to pull down. Still firm.
    I will be keeping these 80 lbs struts. I think the 60 lbs would work, but not sure it would lift a hood with snow/ice on it.

    These Red Hound Auto struts are much smaller than the Vepagoo brand. I was a little scared when doing the initial pre-installation compressions. I thought I was going to bend the rods.
    IMG_3379.jpg
     
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  20. Jan 19, 2023 at 3:16 PM
    #20
    Walldiver7

    Walldiver7 Active Member

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    Dpele,
    Getting ready to order struts for this mod. Could you please update and tell us again how the 80lb struts are working for you? I'm leaning towards the larger diam. Vepagoo 60lb struts. My 3rd Gen. 4runner uses 24" struts. Is 20" long enough for your Tacoma, or would you go longer now that you have some experience with them?
     
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