Spiker Engineering ULTIMATE Lift Hood Struts
- Thread starter 4Runner4Leon
- Start date
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
All PM's replied to.
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.
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.
JZiggy
Senior Member
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'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.
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
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 (?).
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
Sub'd... I'd like to see the pics of it fitted on a 3RZ truck, plus the CC fitment/adjustment
mtbtim
Elite Member
Video Install
[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION], [MENTION=148218]JZiggy[/MENTION] 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.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3G_fc5XSgVw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION], [MENTION=148218]JZiggy[/MENTION] 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.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3G_fc5XSgVw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
DaMonkey
New member
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.
DK327
Member
Thanks to this video, I just ordered a pair! Looking forward to the confirmation PM.
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
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!
Paulsgotbrownies
New member
Just ordered a kit. Can't wait to get it installed!
JZiggy
Senior Member
Sorry for the delay... had some login issues recently.
Here's a screenshot from Tim's video showing my cruise module and how I spaced it downward to make room for the struts.
There are actually 3 mounting points but only 2 are visible. The third is down below but all three just have simple 1/8" aluminum brackets. I did not find it difficult to do. The cables motion is not impacted and everything works like it did before.
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
Guys, regarding the struts, I have a supplier delivering struts to my specifications.
As far as overtravel from the wind, you are correct - the struts themselves prevent that from happening, since once they are fully extended, they can't extend any more.
Hope this helps.
As far as overtravel from the wind, you are correct - the struts themselves prevent that from happening, since once they are fully extended, they can't extend any more.
Hope this helps.
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AntonioCm1983
New member
I'm also intrested in this kit for my 2000 4runner SR5 sport edition
DaMonkey
New member
mine installed very easy today. nothing new to add for info...
except i find it very peculiar that there were unused threaded holes in the fenders in the perfect spots??
how did those happen to show up? are they intended for anything? thinking maybe something during assembly at the factory?
except i find it very peculiar that there were unused threaded holes in the fenders in the perfect spots??
how did those happen to show up? are they intended for anything? thinking maybe something during assembly at the factory?
Mark_BC
Senior Member
Hood struts? Then they decided to cheap out?
4Runner4Leon
Senior Member
Note: I had to relocate the Toyota 89747-35010 Wireless Door Lock Buzzer which was attached to the hole that the passenger side ball stud should be at. I left the clip for the windshield washer fluid hose intact and it's fine. Great mod!
Looks good, nice to see one more "prop-rod-less" 4Runner out there!
Just out of curiosity, was the door lock buzzer a factory installation in that location? I haven't come across those before, so I'm curious how common they are.
