If anyone wants to get the best hood lift/strut kit on the market just look to redline tuning.

It's also one of the least expensive at $89.99 although I nabbed mine from Late Model Restoration on sale for $69.99.

This is absolutely the most simple and easy to install kit available, BAR NONE!

It took me only about 5-6 MINUTES to install.

This is how every Mustang should come from the factory.

This kit looks like it was factory installed except for the brackets being black but that will be corrected as soon as I get some paint.

Pics:

Drivers side


Passenger side


And this is the key to the simplicity and ease of installation.
This top mount fits in a hole that is already in the hood, no drilling required.


And this is the lower mount, fits on the fender bolt.
On GT's with the sound tube, or on V6's that have the sound tube added such as mine, you do have to move the diaphragm housing to the bottom side of the fender.


_

 

Sir... nice install! and nice find...

However, you do know that MRT has had a similar design (which I have installed) for a couple years now right? No drill.... Redline has followed suit, since they used to require drilling. I have had mine on for almost a year now. Love it.

https://themustangsource.com/f802/mr...ssions-503150/

 

But those use those big brackets that bolt onto the hinge bolts, the redline kit is so much simpler.

Most kits are like the MRT, redline is the only one doing them this way as far as I know.

 

 

Do all of the hood strut manufacturers require the sound tube diaphram to be relocated below the fender lip? Just asking, as it would seem to be a slight oversight by the company. By putting the diaphram below the lip, the rubber tit that aligns in the second hole is no longer in operation.
No biggie, just an observation.

MRT also offers no drill struts for $89.00. Another option, but they are large brakets (they will offer painted brackets for $103.00).

I like the small ones of the Redline Tuning better.

 

The sound tube diaphragm is non issue, except I dropped the clip nut and lost it last week when I was going to move mine in prep for this hood lift kit.

Since then it has just been tucked under with no bolt.

 

Sir...yes, I overlooked that part when reading/viewing your pics earlier. You are quite correct.

In that regard, indeed, the redline kit is much better! Where were they when I was searching for a kit?

I can still grasp on to the fact that I got it in Kona blue :P

 

Well, that certainly proves it's not an issue then! I think I'd leave them black, as the hood is closed 80% of the time; the other 20% when it's opened is for oil changes and other maintenance, and a bit of engine detailing.

Redline it is when I get some free cash.

 

I dropped my clip nut also. It may be in the large cutout with the wire loom. I used my mini mag light and a magnetic tool retriever to pick it up. It was perched between the two large looms. If you can't find, try a black zip tie to secure the sound tube.

 

I noticed this weekend at Mustang week that all the cars who had the short designed struts (ala MRT) had stability issues when the hood was up and the wind blew. The hod was blowing a little too much and did not look safe/stable enough.

With the Redline struts they are longer and have a better angle to support the hood when it is up. FWIW!

 

I had the MRT on my 06 and the Redline on my 11 and I can tell you that the Redline is much nicer. It doesn't have the big ugly(IMO) bracket of the MRT, it raises and lowers much easier as well as opening wider, it's a much easier install and is cheaper! Like the OP said, it looks factory. I turned the struts so that the Redline label is facing inward but didn't remove it because I actually kind of like the logo. It would be easy enough to remove if you wanted to though.

 

It's a good thing I only open my hood up in my garage and during car shows with no wind if there was strong winds, I wouldn't be at a car show in the first place.

 

Yeah, since redline isn't paying me I took their logo stickers off.

Plus it adds to the factory installed look.

 

Kinda two face. You were pitching them in your first post and now you need compensation to sport the logo.

 

I loathe stickers. Any stickers I get like that I put on my toolbox.

 

Nope, not at all two faced.

This thread is to the benefit of fellow Mustang owners about my new mod.

If redline had wanted to participate I would have done a full installation and review article for them, then I would have left their logos on the parts.

 

I did the big bulky ones. I like how tough they look. Those simplified ones look very clean. I like them too. One of the easiest mods I've done so far.

 

When did you purchase the struts from Late Model Restoration? I checked today and the want $89.99. Do I need a special code?
Thanks

 

Sorry bud, the sale ended the day I ordered mine. They were on backorder at that point and I had to call in to place the order so I would be assured of getting the sale price once they were back in stock. Had to wait a little over a week before they came in and were shipped.

You can call and get a forum discount but that's not as much as the sale discount.

 

Thanks for the info. It was worth a shot.