I've been using my hood strut kit for several months now, and I can honestly say that it's been the best mod I've made to my truck so far. So between my experience with the kit, as well as JZiggy's install (which did require a slight relocation of the cruise control module, probably a feature of 3RZ-FE motors), and feedback from other folks I've sold the kit to, I think the kit is ready for prime time. See the first post for ordering details.
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1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper | Spiker Engineering High-Lift Hood Struts and Ultragauge Mount
Last edited by 4Runner4Leon; 12-19-2018 at 07:09 PM.
Great idea and I am also a fan of struts. That prop rod really does get in the way when you are doing some major engine work.
I have the Redline struts and they are great but these do look a bit beefier. If you live in a cold climate then bigger struts are nice since they still have the power to open regardless.
And Jerod, indeed, losing the prop rod is awesome! And like you said, there is quite a bit of effort that goes into choosing struts with the right properties for the application (force, stroke, stowed size, etc). The Redline kit is pretty good, it has its pluses and minuses. But I didn't like the additional holes they require you to drill, plus I wanted the extra open height, so that wasn't going to work for me.
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1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper | Spiker Engineering High-Lift Hood Struts and Ultragauge Mount
I've been using Leon's kit for about 3 months now and my feedback is overwhelmingly positive. We installed it just before I embarked on a number of other repair & mod projects so I've had that hood up and down 200 times. Perfect amount of actuation force... it doesn't try to get away from you when lifting and it reaches the end of travel gently. As a tall person I find that having the hood lifted higher is a really nice benefit -- plus having the prop rod out of the way.
I'll post up some pictures of my install and the little brackets I used to space my cruise module downward. It was a minor adaptation.
I've been using Leon's kit for about 3 months now and my feedback is overwhelmingly positive. We installed it just before I embarked on a number of other repair & mod projects so I've had that hood up and down 200 times. Perfect amount of actuation force... it doesn't try to get away from you when lifting and it reaches the end of travel gently. As a tall person I find that having the hood lifted higher is a really nice benefit -- plus having the prop rod out of the way.
I'll post up some pictures of my install and the little brackets I used to space my cruise module downward. It was a minor adaptation.
Thanks Jordan! (not sure what happened to my previous reply, I think it got lost in the recent crash).
If you get a chance to post photos of the cruise control mounting adaptation you did, that would be great for others to consider! So far you're the only one who seemed to have that issue, so I'm guessing it's unique to 3RZ motors (?).
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1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper | Spiker Engineering High-Lift Hood Struts and Ultragauge Mount
@infamousRNR
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@JZiggy
and I did a video install of Leon's hood-lift strut kit. It really is a sweet mod and I highly recommend it to everyone.
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Nice fellas. Mine goes on in the morning. As usual, your video takes care of the mental prep.
I didn't see a spot for metal shavings from the drilling to come out from inside the body channel? Sometimes I put a dab of grease on the drill bit if I don't want the rubber to fall off.
Nice fellas. Mine goes on in the morning. As usual, your video takes care of the mental prep.
I didn't see a spot for metal shavings from the drilling to come out from inside the body channel? Sometimes I put a dab of grease on the drill bit if I don't want the rubber to fall off.
Hey Scott, have fun with the install tomorrow! Most of the chips from the drilling end up falling straight down, and the instructions I provide recommend putting a large piece of cardboard over the engine compartment to keep them from falling into places they shouldn't be falling. I suppose some chips could end up inside the hood channel; your idea of some grease on the drill bit is a good one!
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1997 4Runner Limited 4WD E-Locker ~200k | Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 265/75/16 | Pro Comp 69 16x8 | OME 2906 | B&M 70264
Addicted Offroad Front Bumper | Spiker Engineering High-Lift Hood Struts and Ultragauge Mount
Linear Mode
