Hood Struts: Spiker Engineering vs Redline Tuning thoughts/opinions?

Any hood struts will need to have brackets added for use in the 2nd Gen Tacoma. Then you have to size the strut properly for the geometry and the weight. What year 4Runner struts are you thinking of using?

 

Spiker Engineering hood struts work fantastic for me and the install was easy.

 

Same here

 

Leaning toward the Spiker kit, buuuuuuut I'm 5'6"... I'm afraid I won't be able to lower the hood without grabbing it from the side of the truck

 

you can customize the height of the hood

 

I installed the @RedlineTuning kit about a year ago on my truck and they have worked great!!
Side note..... it looks like they have leaked a little bit of fluid from the reservoirs but hasn't affected the operation at all

 

I have Redlines had my then 15 year old grandson install them a bonding experience for us. He did a great job I just explained the proper way to drill and fasten every thing. I was his first car project. For me it was the best mod on my truck, those hood are heavy for us older guys.

 

Got em installed. For anyone with a 2nd gen, you will have to either have a small enough head/nose of the rivet gun to clear the fender bottom bracket or do what I did. I loosened the brackets holding in the fender and my dad pulled them back some while I gave the rivet gun hell to get these installed! It was a JOB. Also, the instruction manual does not have great pics. Taco Twonz’ video was the best for me. I just went with the stock height for the struts as it was easiest, and that’s high enough for me. The video by that Timmy guy is not very accurate and he doesn’t give good reference points for the brackets like Taco Twonz does. For me, a video is worth a thousand pictures. Either way. They are installed without incident and they are working and boy is that hood light now! I wasn’t able to get the spiker engineering logos facing outwards but oh wells. And I also kinda didn’t apply the touch up paint on the first bracket but oh wells. Even when I applied it I’m not sure I let it dry much. Showing pictures that hopefully show u some location points if you have a 2nd gen ! Made in the USA baby.

 

Guy on the left looks like my twin - Tilly Hat - glasses !

 

@george3 Ha really? That’s my dad. Providing supervision. Post a pic to compare !

 

Is there a link on how to do that ? I have a iPhone - I know how to take the picture and send it in a text or email but don't know how to post it on TW.

 

When you’re typing a reply on your phone there’s some buttons at the bottom of the screen. Click upload a file and then select the photo From your saved ones on your phone I’ve circled the button in red on the attached photo.

 

You have to click expand -

 

There u go brother! I just showed him. Those struts sure do work. Have u tried them yet? Where r u located? We are down in Mississippi.

 

I'm in North Jersey - I've had Redline for years. The picture I just took was a selfie. Now that I have a clue thanks to you I'll see if I can post more. How do I post full size - the selfie is small and you have to "click to expand" just to see it and it was small. When I clicked the the small picture it got ridiculously big. Thanks.

 

I’m still figuring that part out myself. When I click thumbnail it seems it makes that pic big too ha. What part of jersey? Just stayed in Secaucus going to the giants-cowboys game last fall. How are the redlines ? I went with spiker bc they were American made and I saw a YouTube video of a guy installing them. Really helped with the job. My dad still got a bit of a sunburn bc he forgot his hat mowing some grass earlier in the day

 

LOL - That's why I bought the Tilly - actually 2 of them - had skin cancer nose, ears etc. -
got the Tilly with the widest brim and ware one when ever I'm outside. I'm about half hour from Secaucus - worked in Secaucus years ago. I've had the Redline for years - work fine - it was the way to go when I did it - no Spiker back then as far as I know. Must be a real fan - far way to go to watch a game.

 

I just got in the SokieTechs, and I'm gunna be honest, I really feel like the Spikers will be better for me. I was real hesitant about riveting anything and was so pro-bolt-on, but after all the install videos I have watched on the Spikers, I'm sold. Plus, the Sokietech's have different lengths dampers because the lower mounting points are in different locations, and my OCD will NOT be able to handle that LOL. So this week I am ordering the Spikers, a rivet gun, some touchup paint, and I'm gunna get at it!!!!!

 

I just installed the @SpikerEng kit two days ago. I was going to make a video of the install but due to a glitch in my camera, was not able to. I want to say the delivery of the kit was flawless! Sent an email to Leon, placed my order, 4 days later, kit was at my house. It comes in a sturdy cardboard shipping tube. No issues whatsoever! The instructions are very basic and to the point. It took me just under an hour to install and it was mostly because of reading the instructions and watching the TacoTwonz video. I definitely recommend the Spiker kit!
Also, don't worry about the primer. I used the Duplicolor touch up pen/brush in universal silver (Silver Tacoma) purchased online from AutoZone but at the end, it is not visible. The mounting brackets cover the holes so any primer/color will be fine.