MOD: Redline Tuning Hood Lift Struts

[janesy86]

Finally decided it was time to kick the hood prop rod and go with the Redline Tuning Hood Lift Struts.

Not too bad of an install, especially being that it was my first time ever using a rivet gun. Directions are really easy to follow, so no problems there. It took me about an hour to install. It only even took me that long because I didn't want to drill thru my hood.

Now on to the pics...

[Gordinho80]

Very nice... one of the many things on my list

[Trail X]

Hmm, that IS pretty handy.

Where is it sold? Redline.com?

[Zero]

I know years ago these kids were popular in my pickup truck club, but they didnt not fair well in the elements, and salt....plus they were quite flimsy.

is anyone else that has these now notice any problems like that? has the build quality improved?

[Gordinho80]

http://www.redlinetuning.com/QL-CHEVY-T ... R-02+.html

$70 plus shipping for the basic set...

[Trail X]

Cool... seems a tad expensive for what it is.

Why use rivets? I'm not a big fan of them on parts with dynamic loads because they can't be tightened if they work a little loose. They work well on static parts though.

[Gordinho80]

Can't get back there, at least on hood itself, to tighten a nut/bolt... what are you thinking? Self tapping screws?

[Trail X]

Self tapping or non... either way could work with a pilot hole.

[Regulator1175]

Has anyone done this themselves with a set of gas shocks from the auto parts store? Any thoughts if it would be possible?

[OregTrailBlazin]

Self tapping or non... either way could work with a pilot hole.

You could install "nutsert" into the hood, then be able to tighten as nessicary. I think Roadie has had these for a while now, need him in here to let us know how they are holding up!

[bartonmd]

Self tapping or non... either way could work with a pilot hole.

You could install "nutsert" into the hood, then be able to tighten as nessicary. I think Roadie has had these for a while now, need him in here to let us know how they are holding up!

Yep, we use "Crush Nuts" at work a lot, if the PEM nuts come out when something's most of the way together...

Mike

[Mooseknuckle]

Ahh "Crush Nuts" does not sound good. Looks very nice now when you lift the hold you have free range of motion so to speak.

[janesy86]

I got mine off ebay just because I had a $50 gift card so I thought 'why not'...

You could def switch it up and not use the rivets easily on the end that mounts to the inner fender, and a short self tapping screw or the like for the hood end. But like Gordinho said its not accessible there and its rather close to the hood. Even when drilling the holes for the mount on the hood you don't want to go past 1/4" or you will go thru your hood.

I like em tho, pretty solid tho where they mount to the inner fender when you let go of the hood it pulls up a tad, so maybe if you used bolt with a plate on the backside it would prob be stronger.

[Trail X]

Can you take a closer pic of the mounts, hood and fender?

[janesy86]

Here are the close ups...

This is where ya got to be careful to not drill too far. Your drillin on the angled part of the hood as you can see.




And where its secured to the inner fender..

[OregTrailBlazin]

Can we get the compressed and extended measurements of the shock???

[janesy86]

I'll get those once the weather here clears up... its been pourin' for days.

[Gordinho80]

Based on the install instructions, I'd guess that the uncompressed length is ~15.5". I believe a strut that length would yield ~26" extended... These are only guesses.

[The Roadie]

I put that mod on so long ago I think it was when the OS was tbecentral.com, before it was changed to trailvoy. Holding up perfectly well. No sag. No issues. No problems with the rivnuts. I love them.

[janesy86]

I put that mod on so long ago I think it was when the OS was tbecentral.com, before it was changed to trailvoy. Holding up perfectly well. No sag. No issues. No problems with the rivnuts. I love them.

Thats good to here... thanks for the update.