Installed hood struts on a 97 4runner

[toytech76]

I got ambitious this weekend and did something I have wanted to do for awhile. I went to mst recycling over here in rancho cordova and got a set of 95 landcruiser hood struts to use on my 4runner. It was pretty easy to install tho it wasnt a direct bolt in. Each fender has threaded holes for the lower end of the strut but you need to drill out a second hole for the tang to sit in. The upper part was more of a challenge to mount. First I made some mounts to weld to the hood but after tacking one on and trying it, I found it didnt work too well. I decided on drilling a hole through the hood rib and drilling a second larger hole underneath that so I could get my finger in there and slide a nut up to the hole for the strut. That worked great tho I do now have a few extra holes in the hood rib from trial and error. It doesnt matter since I am getting a scoop hood in a month or so. Now I know how to mount them right. The whole thing cost me $50 and about an hour

 

[giguchan]

Nice going.
I saw those advertised at burtman they do look good... I saw the PDF of the install... one of these days i might do that, although i kinda like the rod....
nice truck..

 

[Ron Helmuth]

nicely done toytech76

I knew someone could figure out a way to retro fit an existing hood strut. I helped Redline Tuning find a Michigan 3rd gen so that their kit could be released, I think that was about one year ago now.

Way to go Toytech. You saved at least $19 or more instead of ordering from Redline or Burtman.

Those are some beefy looking struts.

Nicely done sir

 

[toytech76]

Thank you! Well I figured land cruiser struts would be best since everything on a cruiser is bigger and heavier than anything else. The hood pops open and stays up like it has a reverse gravity attachment. lol I do like the burtman kits, I also think its cool when someone can take a part and make it work with something it wasnt intended for. Once I get my scoop hood, I know where to put rivnuts for the upper mount so I dont have the unsightly holes

 

[Ron Helmuth]

toytech76 I am confused a little by your signature with goodies-

are you running Land Cruiser coils in the rear as well as the front?
Sorry if this seems a stupid question....

 

[toytech76]

It does sound a bit confusing..lol...sorry! I have stock shocks and springs in front with the revtek spacers and an extra spacer I added for about 3.5 in of lift. The rear springs and shocks are the fronts out of a 97 landcruiser


What is the infinity basslink youhave? I have seen that mentioned a couple times in various posts

 

[Ron Helmuth]

thanks - I did not realize it was the front shock and spring from a Landcruiser that were used for rear lift in a 4Runner. I am learning new stuff every single day thanks.

I mean you look fairly level-you got roughly 3.5" of lift in both front and rear now is that fair to say? give or take I don't need exact specs.... I actually favor just a smidge of "rake".

The Basslink is a small, square powered subwoofer made by Infinity (parent is Harmon Kardon). I wanted an alternative to a Bazooka tube and I am still playing with my Sony radio-head unit controls and the settings on the Basslink to tweak it.

It puts out some good bass and only takes up a small space in my cargo area. It is not winning any sound level contests and I really don't listen to music that loud anyways. But it does add a bit of low end bump to the music-particularly CDs. Thanks for asking.

I was noticing your garage, that is a nice touch with that upper window to let in some light like that. I am presuming it is too small to allow people to try to enter?

 

[toytech76]

Thats actually my neighbors garage. The fence seemes a better backdrop for the pic. lol No one would get into my garage. A dog and a shotgun would be awaiting them. lol