Anybody using lift struts instead of prop rod?

CarMichael Angelo · Oct 20, 2011

I installed a redline somethin' or other brand of lift struts that I bought from M/U on the hood of my car. After shutting the hood, they were pushing the lines out of shape so badly that I took the stupid-assed things back off and reinstalled the prop rod. Lines returned to normal after that.

Anybody else experienced the same thing?

70 damn dollermos down the damn drain.

Bryan83taco · Oct 20, 2011

I'm in the same boat. I bought my Mustang with them already on. When I put on my Kaenen fiberglass cowl I noticed the struts were pushing the hood out of place. It was too much pressure on the fiberglass. I contacted redline and they said they make a set of lower pressure struts designed for a fiberglass hood. So I just unhooked mine, I'll order the lower pressure set when I get some extra money.

I do like them though. They look much cleaner than the hood prop rod.

Bryan83taco · Oct 20, 2011

woops Double post

90stang5speed · Oct 20, 2011

Is it possible to reposition the hood shocks so that when the hood is down, you aren't compressing the shocks as much? Kind of like repositioning front suspension shocks so you can get more front end lift for weight transfer when you launch. It might mean the hood wont open up as far though.

93project · Oct 20, 2011

I'm using the redline struts on a Cervinis hood. No problems at all.

93project · Oct 20, 2011

Slightly visible in my sig pic

CarMichael Angelo · Oct 20, 2011

90stang5speed said:
Is it possible to reposition the hood shocks so that when the hood is down, you aren't compressing the shocks as much? Kind of like repositioning front suspension shocks so you can get more front end lift for weight transfer when you launch. It might mean the hood wont open up as far though.

Oh I like the way they look way better than the prop rod but, I ain't putting the P.O.S's back on. I hear what you're sayin,' but they pushed the hood so far forward they were springing the hinges. The hood pins needed to be manipulated so far forward they leaned. Not only was the hood too far forward, it was collapsing the crown in the back of the hood, and causing a big-assed gap on the drivers' side.

Anybody wanna buy some junk-assed hood struts?

Mustang5L5 · Oct 21, 2011

Unless into the show car scene, i don't see much use for them. Hood struts would get in my way when working on the car leaning over the fenders.

Even my infiniti has a prop rod..

Ozz · Oct 21, 2011

I have and love them. The hood prop got in the way more often than these do; that's not an issue for me. FWIW I have Redline Tuning struts on my fiberglass hood and have no issues with them. Can't recall if I got special low-pressure pieces though.

MAC'n89Blckstng · Oct 21, 2011

I have them on my 88 and love em. You dont have that big prop rod getting in your way up front, especially when your removing the heads!

Mintsick · Oct 21, 2011

I've been considering getting a set, my Nissan has them and it makes working under the hood so much easier. A buddy installed a set of redlines on his Tacoma recently and they work great.

92GreenGT · Oct 21, 2011

Redlines on a stock hood here, no problems and love them!!

tunedin302 · Oct 21, 2011

Redlines here too, Harwood hood, no issues.

CarMichael Angelo · Oct 21, 2011

OK, since there seems to be several of you that have them, what do we
think caused the issues I'm having w/ the ones I have?

Boydster · Oct 21, 2011

I have the MRT hood struts with a stock hood. Absolutely no problem.

foxbodymike87 · Oct 21, 2011

hood struts are cool, but it doesn't look right. i prefer the vintage look of a prop rod.

capri debris · Oct 21, 2011

You guys give up too easy. I put a set on my car and, yes, it pushed my hood forward.... so I got a wrench out and did a simple re-adjusted of the hood in about 10 minutes. They've worked great ever since. God, talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill.

1991notchbackLX · Oct 22, 2011

Mike, it sounds like your mounting geometry is off a little bit... I personally know ten or so local guys that run them on both stock and aftermarket hoods without this issue.

CarMichael Angelo · Oct 22, 2011

capri debris said:
You guys give up too easy. I put a set on my car and, yes, it pushed my hood forward.... so I got a wrench out and did a simple re-adjusted of the hood in about 10 minutes. They've worked great ever since. God, talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill.

You're right, and I considered doing it, but in my case, not only was it pushing forward, it created a significant gap along the drivers side fender that I could not adjust inward anymore. I also agree w/ 91 notchLX, I probably had the lower mounting point too far forward, and was causing some sort of bind. Now that I know that there are so many instances of success w/ these specific units, I may retry it (one more time).
My hood is different from every other hood in that I actually have a gap that I have to consider in front as well as the sides and back. Right now, w/ no stress added from the shocks, all of those lines are very good. I do not want to have to dick w/ trying to compensate for these things if they're gonna push those lines outta shape, And I still don't know why they caused the hood to "flatten" and lose its' crown at the back.

92GreenGT · Oct 22, 2011

I know in my Redline kit it had two different install locations depending on what kind of hood you had, maybe you used the wrong measurements?

Anybody using lift struts instead of prop rod?

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,

Bryan83taco

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my rearend will smell so minty fresh,

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.

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my rearend will smell so minty fresh,

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my rearend will smell so minty fresh,

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