Half price hood struts

I agree, the new bit is key. A fresh battery in your drill. Light pressure. And above all else something to keep from drilling too deep, especially on the hood!

I did the Redline struts last year sometime.

 

Watching

 

I have a pair or Red Line struts on my work bench.... I just went and measured them......20.5 inches.

 

Do you happen to know the collapsed length?

 

This would be awesome.

Subbed!

Thanks OP for taking the risk!

 

After I install them, I'll call a very small person to crawl under the hood as I close it... He can measure it then..!!!

No, I see no way of getting that info..

EDIT: Might be a way using tape on the strut then closing and opening..?

 

camera and tape measure..?

 

A felt "washer" cut and placer over the strut's shaft....push it to the top while open. Close and open. Washer should be at bottom-out length.

 

I wish there was a bolt-on option. I've done some crazy-sh#t mods in the past - including cutting holes in a $700 bumper cover on my 370Z Nismo to install brake ducts, but drilling holes in my hood terrifies me. I've never riveted anything in my life. I'd pay to have it done in a heartbeat.

Ironically, I installed struts on the Z and they were bolt-on.

 

Sub'd

 

Or a zip tie if you want it done quick and easy...

 

Put one end on the top of your shoe, put a rag on the other end and push down with all your weight. This will compress it, then have someone measure it.

 

Didn't know it would collapse that easy....

But if I did that, the reading would not be meaningful because I don't know where to stop. I'm sure the struts are NOT fully compressed when the hood is closed. Need to be installed to get compressed length....

Good idea though.....

 

Redline spec.
20 1/2" extended
11" compressed

jamesfishn09 shared with me from his redline install.

Bought all my components, will install soon.

I may use some rivnuts.

 

There's a huge forum member base over there in Texas. I am sure someone could help you. Hit this link:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ttc-☆-official.541185/#post-17486255

The peeps over here are fantastic and there are a shit ton of them. I know there are some near Houston.

I agree, drilling holes into the underside of the hood was scary AF! With a drill bit stop though you don't have anything to worry about. Myself, I took it a step farther. I cut the drill bit with a metal blade on a saw zaw so that only 1/4" protruded out of the chuck. That way I knew there would be no slippage of a chep bit stop. You can also make some really good bit stop out of wooden dowels. And I've seen them made out of PVC. These types are not adjustable but they are guaranteed to only allow the depth you cut them to.

The other brackets are not shit to drill. Oh, you will need some muscle or a serious rivet gun. I used the Heavy Duty two hand version Harbor Freight sells. It was perfect. I also had to use a cargo bar to prop the hood up farther than the OM support rod would allow to use that gun.

If you are into your truck and want the gratification of doing your own mods you will learn. Follow the OP and see what he turns up. Trust me, if I can do this mod, anyone can.

 

Once I get all the parts, Im going to make sure they work as normal, but im also going to try and figure out a way to mount struts to the hood hinge (where it bolts to the hood)

That way the only drilling would be in the engine bay area thats easy to hide.

Kinda like these for the honda s2000



Might be possible to do this with existing holes using these
https://www.siraweb.com/ball-stud-gptbs1

 

I actually have those on my S2000. They're from Science of Speed: https://www.scienceofspeed.com/inde...less-steel-hood-damper-kit-s2000-2000-09.html

 

Parts on the way.
$40 so far.

Fit Form and Function.

 

Let us know how it goes!

 

nothing to see here...