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

I had issues with mine, too. I had to cut the stems off myself. I think the gun I had isn't for these rivets. These are a little hardier than your all aluminum rivets.

 

Maybe it's a rivet gun issue in that case. Check out this video at about 13:25 for an idea of how the gun should pop the rivets.

 

Certainly tempting.

 

Thanks for the assist. I'll check it out tonight. I did get a few rivets to pop, which was oh so satisfying after a few minutes of squeezing and mild cursing. This is my first go at rivets since I watched my dad do smaller ones like 2 decades ago. Likely amateur hour in Gonzo's Garage.

My wife loves these and wants some for her old Ford Focus.

 

What what what???? You hit the jackpot... A wife that opens the hood?

 

Haha she said that when I showed her the installed struts and demonstrated their function. But I definitely did hit the jackpot with her.

 

Installed mine last week. Work great. I went through this thread to see if anyone had the clearance issues I did and doesn't look like anyone has put these things on a manual truck. In my '16 manual I had the driver's side strut coming down on the clutch fluid reservoir. I spaced the reservoir off the fender with stacked washers for now.

Rivets installed well with this gun. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VPDVXHP/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_vxpNEbY2JYFTK
Can definitely tell when the rivet is pulled tight and about to pop. Takes a little effort but zero problems.

 

@ShimStack screen name fits!

I have a MT, but newer (2019) use a different MC arrangement.

 

Thanks for the picture on spacing out the clutch reservoir, good and simple solution! . If you don't mind, I'll add your photo to the installation instructions in case anyone else comes across this issue.

 

That would be fine. I'll even get you a better picture if you like.

 

Took some after install pictures today to show how the clutch reservoir is not a problem for 2019+. I think 2018 as well, not sure. Anyway some different perspectives:

 

Sure, that's be great!

 

Pics two and three show the bracket backwards than in the install video. Does it make a difference on the way the pointed area of the bracket faces? The video shows the bracket point facing to the fender on the pass side as the opposite in your pics.

 

Follow the instructions. I obviously didn't. So much for relying on my Swiss cheese memory.

Probably doesn't make a huge amount of difference. Mine work perfectly. Probably better for clearance installed correctly. Structurally probably no difference.

As I recall my mind was all wrapped around rivet access. Well I'm not going to sweat about it now.

 

If it works no harm then.

 

Good eye. Surprisingly Leon didn't comment on it.

Today I will pop the hood and stew on it.

 

I'm getting sloppy in my old age . Honestly, I just woke up and saw this post, so I'm still chewing on a recommendation.

The bracket is indeed upside down from the instructions, and if it were me, I'd probably redo it. In practice, as long as the bracket sits flat against the side reinforcement, and is not wobbling in any way, it should be fine as is. Have a look at it, and feel free to post more pictures so we can all stew together.

If you decide to reinstall it, let me know, I'll send you a complimentary set of rivets.

 

Wow, that's awesome. I would like a complimentary set please full set for my 18 Tacoma and I promise to spread the word.

 

I am going to watch and touch the brackets as my son in law opens and pushes down the hood. It was rock solid when I was generally checking out the installation the other day.

Either direction the bracket faces you gain the strength of the bent (inner or outer longitudinal curve) structural hood member.

 

Sounds like a plan