Redline Quicklift Plus Hood Struts - no more prop rod!

[EOD Guy]

new owner here, a bit skittish drilling holes in my hood. Seems like that hood nut is a potential “weakest link” subject to asymmetric forces - and the specter of aluminum degradation may only make things worse. Any worry this connection will develop some play and toggle eventually popping the nut out of the hood? The cheapo struts appear to use more tried and true fixation.
Thanks.

I have the "Redline" struts on my Taco and was planning to get them on my LC. Redlines were not available and I purchased a cheapo amazon version, with the intention of replacing them when the Redlines became avail.

The Taco takes some force to overcome the gas cylinders and get the hood to close. The cheapos I installed on the LC takes zero effort and will hold the hood "fully" open, so I am happy with them and do not plan on replacing them.

 

[dwight]

i installed mine! Very robust and stout pieces. Super easy to install too.

 

[Blue Bear]

new owner here, a bit skittish drilling holes in my hood. Seems like that hood nut is a potential “weakest link” subject to asymmetric forces - and the specter of aluminum degradation may only make things worse. Any worry this connection will develop some play and toggle eventually popping the nut out of the hood? The cheapo struts appear to use more tried and true fixation.
Thanks.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Redline makes the best hood struts in the industry and the mechanism they are using on the LC is the same one they've been using for a long time on other vehicles.

 

[ultane]

I installed the redline hood struts the other day. They recommend using a 13mm socket to tighten the thingamajigger on the hood (that requires using the step drill bit). I did so, and rounded off the nut a bit before getting it tight. Then I discovered that the proper size socket is 7/16”. Oh well. It’s gootentight now after using the 7/16” socket.

I left the prop rod in place.

 

[Ike582]

I installed mine last weekend, and it was as easy as others have noted. The drilling was easier than I anticipated as you are just expanding the existing hole, so there's no chance the bit will jump around. It took no more than 10 seconds to expand each hole. You absolutely want to lay a blanket or tarp over the engine bay as there's quite a bit of metal shavings that will result from the drilling.

 

[Dano]

Drilling and that “blind nut” are what’s giving me pause.
I’m familiar with the adage regarding the blind squirrel finding a nut, - just didn’t want to experience the blind nut getting squirrely!

Thanks for the input and an excellent post with steps/installation pics. Order is in.