Hood Lift Strut Mod

mtbtim

mtbtim

Elite Member
Hey Dudes,

Maybe you've already heard of it but [MENTION=198376]4Runner4Leon[/MENTION] came up with a sweet modification for our 3rd Gens. Normally when you lift your hood, you have to use the OEM prop rod to hold the hood up for you. This modification adds a couple gas struts under the hood to do the lifting for you and it also lifts the hood higher than normal so you'll have an easier time checking your fluid levels or working on your engine.

This is such a simple, affordable and satisfying mod to do. Everyone should buy one of these kits from Leon. It's definitely money well-spent.

Here's a video install of Leon's product:

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LittleCaesar said:
I like it. Wouldn’t work for me though, I am too short to capture the hood to pull it down. Grrrr.
Click to expand...

So that's why you're called LittleCaesar. I never put that together but now it makes sense. I'm 5'9" on a good day when my spine isn't overly compressed. On our fire apparatus, the compartment doors on some of our rigs can roll up very high, higher than a lot of us can reach. So, they have nylon straps that are affixed to the doors that hang down further so we can grab ahold of it and pull the compartment door closed.

So, here's a Sic Mod you can do and still use Leon's strut kit. Get a nylon strap that would be long enough for you to reach when the hood is all the way up. Next sew a velcro patch on one side of that strap so you can affix it to the under side of the hood when you bring the hood down and not worry about the strap flying around and getting caught in the fan or one of the pulleys. Then either use screws or rivets to attach the strap to the underside of the hood.
When you lift the hood, you open it up part way, reach in and pull the strap free of the velcro so it's hanging down and then let go and let the struts work their magic.

What do you think of that idea?
 
LittleCaesar said:
I like it. Wouldn’t work for me though, I am too short to capture the hood to pull it down. Grrrr.
Click to expand...

One thing that I maybe should have made more clear in the instructions is that you don't have to go with the high-lift setup. The kit is specifically designed to work with any hood open height, from stock to the full open as limited by the hinges.

So you can still use the kit to replace the prop rod with modern struts, without increasing the open height :).
 
4Runner4Leon said:
One thing that I maybe should have made more clear in the instructions is that you don't have to go with the high-lift setup. The kit is specifically designed to work with any hood open height, from stock to the full open as limited by the hinges.

So you can still use the kit to replace the prop rod with modern struts, without increasing the open height :).
Click to expand...

I see, cool, maybe will be in touch next year for a pair.:target:
 
Neat idea 4Runner4Leon, it almost became my Christmas present but then Santa realized it won't work with my homemade electrical stuff tray that sits on top of the dual batteries and engine fuse block.

Still really cool idea. Sometimes having the hood more open would be nice. Good thinking on a strap to help close, mtbtim. :)
 
Hey dude! My son and I been enjoyin your 4Runner videos. I've had this one on the back burner for a while now. Think I'm going to pull the trigger. Thanks for sharing this!
 
ZeektheGeek said:
Hey dude! My son and I been enjoyin your 4Runner videos. I've had this one on the back burner for a while now. Think I'm going to pull the trigger. Thanks for sharing this!
Click to expand...

Sorry, just saw your PM to me, but can't seem to be able to contact you back. Please provide your contact info so I can tell you how to place an order, or just go to the website in my signature. Thanks!
 
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