How To: Bonnet gas struts.

[289hilux]

Doesn't that bonnet stick always get in the way.


Answer fit gas struts to lift the bonnet. There are 2 advantages 1 makes bonnet lighter 2 give room to work on your pride and joy with less hassle.

This how I tackled the job.

Find a pair of short struts I used ones 300mm long when compressed.
Make sure they have the metal ball and socket ends. They are much smaller and stronger than the plastic ends. I found mine on eBay.


I wanted to do it as easily as possible no messy brackets etc.
I lay the strut in the guard channel and closed the bonnet to see how much room was there. Had plenty.
So I drilled a hole in the top of the bonnet hinge up as high as I could. then held the bonnet open as far as it would go, and marked in the guard channel the end of the strut.
Fitted the ends and nuts. Repeated this on the other side.
I then had to remove a small amount of the guard mounting surface right up near the hinge. This is to allow the ball socket to travel down past the lip when closing the bonnet.


I used a die grinder to trim the lip to a nice shape. no one would notice if you didn't tell them.
I realize this method wont suit all cars but it may help you get some good ideas.


In total it took around 30 minutes to complete.


Have a go and good luck with it..

[Dale]

Cool idea, I'd never even thought of it... looks pretty cheap and easy too

[289hilux]

Cool idea, I'd never even thought of it... looks pretty cheap and easy too

Yes it was cheep they only cost $24 the pair. I have seen the same thing in Autobarn and Supercheap for $36 each...

[o_man_ra23]

Nice work on the struts... pity about the boat anchor sitting between them

[Youngy]

Redline Tuning Toyota Pickup QuickLIFT System - Lifts and holds your hood without prop rod.

I just fitted these today - works a treat!