I remember about a month or two ago, someone posted pics of their DIY mod where they fabbed up their own mounts for gas struts on the hood of their xB...I tried a search for it but came up with nothing. Anyone know the link or the peep in question? I'm interested in whether I could purchase some from them :wink: Thanks!

Toy xbox is your man
http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RQDlAloTXn7oCM53J3j2QcvdI*t4Om1qyn6vO6nVPzUMUWQOPiUhMk8Zc0Dh11DcxRy6h8UDs0dXiBkeZfyOjuTXCytZMkKXl7X9!69qItk/DSC00147.JPG?dc=4675472045200689368
http://www.autoimportcraze.com/images/toyotafest04/cl116.jpg

I extend thanks to you sir :D

this was the fist thing I did to my HL. Took longer to figure out what exact shocks to use.

shocks aren't cheap for most people - and once you mount them - they're yours. Not much room for trial and error. If you buy shocks that are too weak - well , then the hood will just drop shut on it's own - get shocks to long or to strong and you'll probably just bend the hood.

You can get the parts at PEP BOYS. Use SACHS brand, 'LIFT-O-MAT'. PART NUMBER SG326007 or an interchangable make/model. That part number is a shock that had the correct stroke length and correct PSI lifting strength. You'll need TWO - one for each side.

You'll need to use washers, drill some holes and etc - all stuff you can figure out if you're at all handy

PS. the shocks on the box in the photo look nice - but are mounted backwards. Those shocks are dead smack in the way anytime the hoods open and you're trying to work in the engine bay.

The shaft part of the shock should be mounted to the fender towards the back edge of hood and the resovior end of the shock is mounted to the hood towards the front edge of the hood - this keeps the shock completely out of the way, almost parallel to the hood when open.

this was the fist thing I did to my HL. Took longer to figure out what exact shocks to use.

shocks aren't cheap for most people - and once you mount them - they're yours. Not much room for trial and error. If you buy shocks that are too weak - well , then the hood will just drop shut on it's own - get shocks to long or to strong and you'll probably just bend the hood.

You can get the parts at PEP BOYS. Use SACHS brand, 'LIFT-O-MAT'. PART NUMBER SG326007 or an interchangable make/model. That part number is a shock that had the correct stroke length and correct PSI lifting strength. You'll need TWO - one for each side.

You'll need to use washers, drill some holes and etc - all stuff you can figure out if you're at all handy

PS. the shocks on the box in the photo look nice - but are mounted backwards. Those shocks are dead smack in the way anytime the hoods open and you're trying to work in the engine bay.

The shaft part of the shock should be mounted to the fender towards the back edge of hood and the resovior end of the shock is mounted to the hood towards the front edge of the hood - this keeps the shock completely out of the way, almost parallel to the hood when open.

:shock: Got any pictures. Sounds like it looks cool. I have a idea of what you are talking about. Also if you run a carbon fiber hood you might need weaker shocks. Also depending on how you mount them & where the psi limit may differ. Its about leverage so you could have a weak shock, lift & hold a heavy object, just might be hard under the hood :?

this is a project that has sat in the back on my mind for months, the only thing that I have not thought of is what kind on mount to use....if you look at other vehicle with strut lifts, the mount is like a little ball on a bolt...I have not searched for where or what to get to use...maybe I can be a little lazy and ask

where could you get the mounts?

the shocks (part #'s) I listed include the mounting balls.

as far as mounting it to carbon fiber - you would need to use a lighter PSI shock - the stock hood is very heavy for it's size.

sold thanks

its good to have chucksu in this forum....i just hope he can find some posts for me when i need them.

its good to have chucksu in this forum....i just hope he can find some posts for me when i need them.

:lol: :lol: :oops: :oops: Why thank you 8). Im not going to be around much longer though :cry:, only 14 days left.

:shock: Got any pictures. Sounds like it looks cool. I have a idea of what you are talking about. Also if you run a carbon fiber hood you might need weaker shocks. Also depending on how you mount them & where the psi limit may differ. Its about leverage so you could have a weak shock, lift & hold a heavy object, just might be hard under the hood :?

LavaScionSouthernAz. asked me to take a few photos - So I'll take them and show up "my" version.

there ya go --- actually remembered to take a picture out behind the shop today for a change...


*EDIT*

I removed the photo's becuase it was just red 'x''s - for some odd reason Photobucket deleted the photo's I'd placed there.. .no idea why.... I'll get more up maybe

thanks a million for the pics

How did you figure out what shocks to use?

I have an xA and since they have much different hoods, I would assume that I would need a stronger/weaker shock to hold it up. How did you come to the conclusion that the ones you have are the right ones for your hood?[/quote]

Yeah thats about how I thought you did it. That way does seem nice.

How did you figure out what shocks to use?

I have an xA and since they have much different hoods, I would assume that I would need a stronger/weaker shock to hold it up. How did you come to the conclusion that the ones you have are the right ones for your hood?

I think you would need to take off the hood first. Find out how much it weighs. So say just as a random number lets say its 30lbs. So then you take 30/2=15. So you would need to shocks with a 15lb limit. Now this is just basic guessing. There are so many other things that can change what psi the shocks need to be, like where you mount etc.. Also if you mount it right, you could do a set up that offers a lot of leverage, so the shocks would not need to be as strong.

I think you would need to take off the hood first. Find out how much it weighs. So say just as a random number lets say its 30lbs. So then you take 30/2=15. So you would need to shocks with a 15lb limit. Now this is just basic guessing. There are so many other things that can change what psi the shocks need to be, like where you mount etc.. Also if you mount it right, you could do a set up that offers a lot of leverage, so the shocks would not need to be as strong.


makes sense. how about one that opens on the side..or backwards like some cargo trucks

I think you would need to take off the hood first. Find out how much it weighs. So say just as a random number lets say its 30lbs. So then you take 30/2=15. So you would need to shocks with a 15lb limit. Now this is just basic guessing. There are so many other things that can change what psi the shocks need to be, like where you mount etc.. Also if you mount it right, you could do a set up that offers a lot of leverage, so the shocks would not need to be as strong.


makes sense. how about one that opens on the side..or backwards like some cargo trucks

Im not sure what you are talking about? You mean like a side ways opening hood & a reverse style hood? For this mod I would think the idea is the same no matter what. You just need 2 shocks that can hold the weight of the hood when open, but yet not put to much strees on the mounting point when the hood is closed.

i really like the way it came out and have the shocks out of the way. this reminds me that i need to get stronger shocks for my hatch.

I think you would need to take off the hood first. Find out how much it weighs. So say just as a random number lets say its 30lbs. So then you take 30/2=15. So you would need to shocks with a 15lb limit. Now this is just basic guessing. There are so many other things that can change what psi the shocks need to be, like where you mount etc.. Also if you mount it right, you could do a set up that offers a lot of leverage, so the shocks would not need to be as strong.


makes sense. how about one that opens on the side..or backwards like some cargo trucks

that would require a lot more work. you would need new hinges and a new latch mechanism.

I think you would need to take off the hood first. Find out how much it weighs. So say just as a random number lets say its 30lbs. So then you take 30/2=15. So you would need to shocks with a 15lb limit. Now this is just basic guessing. There are so many other things that can change what psi the shocks need to be, like where you mount etc.. Also if you mount it right, you could do a set up that offers a lot of leverage, so the shocks would not need to be as strong.


makes sense. how about one that opens on the side..or backwards like some cargo trucks

that would require a lot more work. you would need new hinges and a new latch mechanism.

PS. the shocks on the box in the photo look nice - but are mounted backwards. Those shocks are dead smack in the way anytime the hoods open and you're trying to work in the engine bay.

Not to start any debates.. but I installed mine like the Japan kits they sold for the bB on some of the VIP boxes which is what my overall goal is to eventually have.

FYI I also have no problems working in the engine bay, and did not have to modify my cowl pieces like yours which to me takes away from a factory look.

Props to you on your mounting method but there is no really right or wrong method IMO.

PS. the shocks on the box in the photo look nice - but are mounted backwards. Those shocks are dead smack in the way anytime the hoods open and you're trying to work in the engine bay.

Not to start any debates.. but I installed mine like the Japan kits they sold for the bB on some of the VIP boxes which is what my overall goal is to eventually have.

FYI I also have no problems working in the engine bay, and did not have to modify my cowl pieces like yours which to me takes away from a factory look.

Props to you on your mounting method but there is no really right or wrong method IMO.

actually your method is probably better as it allows you to use a lower pressure shock, and the mounting angle puts much less stress on the hood hinges when the hood is closed.

i'd be interested in seeing a how-to of your method and getting parts information from you if you're willing to share...

actually your method is probably better as it allows you to use a lower pressure shock, and the mounting angle puts much less stress on the hood hinges when the hood is closed.

i'd be interested in seeing a how-to of your method and getting parts information from you if you're willing to share...

I did a search for some pictures of ball mounts and parts and came up with a couple of reference sites....

http://home.pcmagic.net/blajess/

http://www.angelfire.com/ma/cwrrules/hood.html

Just do a Google for "hood lift"

Hope this helps everyone out :D

Yeah thats about how I thought you did it. That way does seem nice.

How did you figure out what shocks to use?

I have an xA and since they have much different hoods, I would assume that I would need a stronger/weaker shock to hold it up. How did you come to the conclusion that the ones you have are the right ones for your hood?

I think you would need to take off the hood first. Find out how much it weighs. So say just as a random number lets say its 30lbs. So then you take 30/2=15. So you would need to shocks with a 15lb limit. Now this is just basic guessing. There are so many other things that can change what psi the shocks need to be, like where you mount etc.. Also if you mount it right, you could do a set up that offers a lot of leverage, so the shocks would not need to be as strong.

You're trying to to be way to technicall Chucksu :wink:

I bought about half a dozen SETS (at about $50 a pop) and tried them until I found the "right one"

Got a general idea of how long I needed in the closed position and then tried/retried struts until a set was strong enough to stay up and not sag - I left the hood open in the sun for 4 hours - measured before and after - had about 1/4" drop in 4 hours - so they're'perfect'

I've done this on a bunch of cars in the past - so already had a head start on what I needed. -- but there's nothing as technical as removing the hood, weighing etc - just trial and error --- that's why I gave part #'s for folks, at $50, $60 a set - most aint got room to be experimenting.

i don't know have much money for trial and error also. i need new struts for my rear hatch since i had mounted monitors there and dynamat, so the weight has effect on the hatch.

Toy xbox is your man
http://www.autoimportcraze.com/images/toyotafest04/cl116.jpg


Hah!! If you look to the right of that pic, you can see the precisionmuffler.com sticker through the camo scion. I was there that day!! And that was in socal! :D

New info*** found that tein is making hood struts not sure if they will have specific car applications or will be universal....

Hope this helps everyone else out 8)

http://i.tnpv.us/2004/SEM200411/SEM2004110243327_pv.jpg

Designed to eliminate the OEM hood stand, thus allowing for more workspace under the hood. Makes opening and closing the hood quick and hassle free.

New info*** found that tein is making hood struts not sure if they will have specific car applications or will be universal....

Hope this helps everyone else out 8)

http://i.tnpv.us/2004/SEM200411/SEM2004110243327_pv.jpg

Designed to eliminate the OEM hood stand, thus allowing for more workspace under the hood. Makes opening and closing the hood quick and hassle free.

So Dave, ah, when are you going to buy a set and let us know how it works? :shock: :roll: :wink:

you can test the OEM hood, and one of the CF hoods too.

unless you preset steel mounting supports/flanges into a composit hood, you wont be able to add struts to them - it would just tear them up

--UNLESS!!!! you have a 'carbon' hood that is just an overlay - one of the ones that has the steel support framing underneath and just the outer skin is composite for looks. ... and then you still have to find shocks with a lower compression ratio to avoid bending the hood

(I went through a number of sets to get it right)

Other than the mounting bracket on one end, those Tein props look no different than auto store versions (painted green)

VISION makes them for the bB also........ :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/dgonzals/986.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/dgonzals/985.jpg

any other ways of mounting the sturts?

not sure what you mean?? you referring to mounting tabs or the direction theyre mounted? - although the answer is "yes" to both I suppose. I didn't use mounting tabs AND my struts stay parallel to the hood so they're never in the way when the hood's open. (as opposed to a 45d as in the pictures)

I do like the chrome version though - they come chrome on Lexus, but the compression ratio is way to high (you'd taco the hood the first time you shut it)

What do these kits run?

not sure what you mean?? you referring to mounting tabs or the direction theyre mounted? - although the answer is "yes" to both I suppose. I didn't use mounting tabs AND my struts stay parallel to the hood so they're never in the way when the hood's open. (as opposed to a 45d as in the pictures)

I do like the chrome version though - they come chrome on Lexus, but the compression ratio is way to high (you'd taco the hood the first time you shut it)
got any pics of how you did it?

VISION makes them for the bB also........ :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/dgonzals/986.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/dgonzals/985.jpg

where can you find the vision kits?

not sure what you mean?? you referring to mounting tabs or the direction theyre mounted? - although the answer is "yes" to both I suppose. I didn't use mounting tabs AND my struts stay parallel to the hood so they're never in the way when the hood's open. (as opposed to a 45d as in the pictures)

I do like the chrome version though - they come chrome on Lexus, but the compression ratio is way to high (you'd taco the hood the first time you shut it)
got any pics of how you did it?

I DID have them posted, were up for a a while - in THIS thread at one point or another - I'm already not a pic poster - and when I did post 'em- photobucket or whoever the hell I was using deleted the photos from their site and it left big red x's HERE... so .. F ' it.

It's not hard to do.

photobucket did that to me too. They spaminated their site and all those that didn't pay up lost their photo's when they did their "update". Pretty crappy of them. Would have been nice to warn people so they could save stuff off local.

photobucket did that to me too. They spaminated their site and all those that didn't pay up lost their photo's when they did their "update". Pretty crappy of them. Would have been nice to warn people so they could save stuff off local.
I've got photobucket and I'm not going to pay for anything, but my pics are all still there. :?

Tein just came out with a nice set. They are pretty pricey, but look hott...I saw them at SEMA

you mean the gold ones? - they also have those as rear replacements.

Does any one have pictures of the mounting points?

sponsored sale going on right now with the tein set

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=35357

I was looking more into the mounting and IMO the Tein product is well made not a 100% sure if mounting at the hinge level is the best... when I did my own DIY hood struts I checked several struts and mounting locations and to me the hinge level is to low. Also the parts I used was $50. But I will say if you don't want to DIY and got the cash I would buy these and worst case mod these if need be...

id like to know the mounting points

Here is a link to an old thread. It does have a good pic of the mounting points

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=134344&highlight=hood+prop

thanks

heres mine, made it about a year ago and only cost $40, cant beat that.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/2286000-2286999/2286480_24_full.jpg

low down - Do you have a write up on what parts you used and how you installed them?

not at the moment but i can probably make one

heres mine, made it about a year ago and only cost $40, cant beat that.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/2286000-2286999/2286480_24_full.jpgThose look like they are in the same position as mine. I used Mighty Lift shocks from Auto Zone and made my own brackets for the top.

Now that there are so many kits available mine are no longer as unique as they were 2 1/2 years ago. :eyebrow:

thats kinda what i did i found close up pics of the tein and used there same method, just made my own brackets and struts for a bronco 2 for the rear window glass from Advance auto, there not to strong to bent the hood when you shut it but stong enough to keep it from falling down too, the struts are called "stongarms" and the p/n is 4423 if that helps