O5GT

i love them, very easy install, very clear directions, and VERY fast shipping



i give this 4.5 out of 5


losing .5 points because it doesnt make it go faster

stangscuba98a

got mine on order....just need car :bang:

SurfnSoCal

I just installed mine last week, and rrobello received some for his birthday from another really good looking mustang owner with an equaly good looking car. (ahem).

Anyway...yes....they install very easily.

Point of Info-

When drilling the holes....drill them through the brackets. Don't try and measure and make marks on the hood, and then drill. I screwed up on one and had to bend it to get it flat.

HOTLAP

Good point SoCal....another point is to wrap that drill bit with tape at 1/4" from the end - just like the directions say - so you don't hit the underside of the hood and leave a mark noticable from the outside....just like I did :bang:

HOTLAP

Hey 05GT - these struts actually DO make your car faster.....the nitrogen gas in each strut actually absorbs some of the underhood engine heat, cooling down the ambient temps in the engine bay - thereby giving you a true CAI effect.

outdoorstom

Hey 05GT - these struts actually DO make your car faster.....the nitrogen gas in each strut actually absorbs some of the underhood engine heat, cooling down the ambient temps in the engine bay - thereby giving you a true CAI effect.
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hawgman

My kit came today. But go figure, my rivit gun won't handle rivits that large. So looks like a trip to the tool store in the morning prior to installation.

One quick poll type question to those of you with the struts.
Have you been removing the existing hood prop or leaving it there? I think I am going to remove mine...but of course about the time I completely lose it will be around the same time that the struts start to fail.

rhoover2

I have the struts but now that I have a fiberglass hood should I still install them on the new hood? What do you guys think? I am afraid the struts will push up on the hood and not look right. I have the RKSport hood. Any advice would be appreciated. I already know that I will need different rivits.

HOTLAP

Ditch that prop rod ASAP.....get rid of that "70's Pinto" underhood look as fast as you can

Plus.....losing the weight of the prop rod is yet another reason the Redline Struts make your Stang faster

SurfnSoCal

Yeah, loose the hood prop....alhough the wieght difference is minimal if any.

those hood lifts are gas shocks, they wont fail for a LONG time.

S197 GT

Did you guys get the stainless or the other version. Is it worth it to pay the differance? The hood is a little on the heavy side. Do these shocks support the weight?? At least enough where your not worried without the hood prop?

O5GT

no prop, stainless just for looks

rhoover2

The stock hood only wieghs 26 pounds! I don't think that is very heavy. We build the Super Duty where I work and that hood doesn't have a prop rod. That hoods weighs 46 pounds!

woody1

Installed Stainless (for looks only) ones today, removed Redline Decal and cleaned the tube, makes it look a little cleaner.
Broke rivet gun after the 1st rivet and had to buy a new one; D%^&n things don't last more than 20 years.

Ditto, only do one hole at a time; drilling second hole through the bracket makes it a lot simpler.

Also recommend removing the retainer springs on the struts ends. Made it slip onto the ball much easier, replacing retainer spring was simple. Did not need anyone to help hold the hood. One strut installed on drivers side, lowered hood, installed strut on passenger side and they work beautiful.

Total Time required: 3 hours (you can do it in lees than 45 minutes)
Remove decal and clean tube: 4 minutes
Read instructions, again and again to ensure I didn't screw up: 15 minutes
Measure (3 times), centerpunch and drill one hole for each bracket: 12 minutes
Drill second hole and rivet in place: 3 minutes
Remove retainer spring and install strut onto bracket ball: 4 minutes
Breaking rivet tool, cussing, throwing a fit, stopping for lunch, calming down and going to buy a replacement rivet tool: about 2 hrs 15 minutes

JessicaRabbitt

Look of the final modification: Priceless!

Sorry, had to to do it..

Got to see rrobellos this past Sat, pretty sweet.

Kluski

I bought the black version. I like the black better than the silver. And as an added touch, I painted the clip with touch-up paint so they mach the car. I was at the dealer and they thought it was factory.

I made a video of the opening and closing, but I need to get it hosted.

The only concern I would have with a fiberglass hood is someone else opening it. I have heard that on older fiberglass hoods, if you let it open by itself and do not stop it near the end, the jult will eventually rip the brackets out of the fiberglass.

over's GT

Ordered mine (black ones, arrived in about a week) week I ordered car, Mustang arrived 4/11 struts installed 4/24

went on in about 2 hrs being very slow and carefull


-yes, on drilling brackets, one at a time

-WRAP THAT DRILL BIT with about 3-4 wraps of tight elect. tape

-GO SLOW when drilling, cordles drill best

-DON"T FORGET to wrap the 1/4 drill bit if you relocate washer hose
larger bits tend to pull in once the metal has been penetrated

-if your worried about drill bit pulling through, hardware stores sell drill bit stops or bits w/stops built in

-COVER FENDERS, watch out for elbows, drill, tools

-place masking tape stickie side out around drill (hole) sight to catch debri or use vacum to clean

-watch out for alum/metal shavings on paint if you wipe

Great kit!

Question: anyone try to use prop rod on hood after strut install? mine won't reach, hood sits aprox. 3/4 inch lower now
I only ask because in high winds parked (like at a show) the wind may push hood down unexpecdly

Kluski

I hooked the struts on while the prop rod was holding the hood. They hold it the same height on mine. Therefore, I could not lift the hood higher to get the prop rod down. So I had to unhook the strut and lower the rod.

HOTLAP

Jim - that would surprise me as mine are fairly stiff and it would take a major amount of wind to push that hood down....much stiffer than my Explorer factory hood hydraulics......