Hood Struts - Hood Lifts - Lift Supports

[JTee2017]

Here are some pics and parts used for an alternate hood lift mod.

You will need metric socket, open end, and maybe box end wrenches to install these.

I purchased the struts and brackets from Lift Support Depot. The Ball Studs are mounted by replacing the forward fender 10mm M6 bolt/washer combo and needs to have an M6 thread (not the more common 5/16 SAE thread). So I bought those from Napa, but also Amazon and Ebay has some for about $4 to $8 a pair.

Also, there are several hood brackets that may work from Lift Support Depot or even on Amazon or Ebay. But most will need to have the one hole drilled out to 3/8" in order to fit over the stock hood bolt used to fasten the bracket to the hood.

Here are the Lift Support Depot parts I bought:

2ea - Struts SKU SE180P30 $29.80
2ea - Ball Stud Bracket SKU h-ab115rb $9.00
2ea - 10mm M6 thread Ball Studs Napa 735-3608 (about $6 with dealer wholesale - cheaper elsewhere)
2ea - 5/8" or 3/4" thin fender washer (painted black) for under the ball stud to do this proper. About $0.50 at Ace Hardware.

Any of these should work here for the 10mm M6 Ball Stud and less than factory struts prices - - -
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X10mm+M6+ball+stud.TRS0&_nkw=10mm+M6+ball+stud&_sacat=0


I recommend this one since the threaded part is about as long as the stock fender bolt you will remove:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Long-Shank-M6-x-1-0-Custom-Rat-Hot-Rod-Linkage-10mm-Ball-Stud-Small-Pin-Bolt/370994260511?hash=item5660fb2a1f:g:GlkAAOxyVLNS4~b4&vxp=mtr

These should also work .. . cheaper, but you can go into business selling them for $5.00 a pair shipped. . . I guess.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Zinc-Plated-10MM-Ball-Stud-RV-Marine-Boat-Strut-Shock-Mount-M6x1-00-Thread/192086549661?hash=item2cb940249d:g:IucAAOSwNnRYh9xq&vxp=mtr

 

[Natesriv]

I just bought mine from Redline Tuning... I suspect they just did exactly as you did, but charged more.
Good work!

Best mod you can do!

 

[JTee2017]

I just bought mine from Redline Tuning... I suspect they just did exactly as you did, but charged more.
Good work!

Best mod you can do!

Thanks. Redline has a good product and has the right components matched up.
Probably worth the $40 more or so if a person wants an easy install.

Did you have to angle the hood brackets like they say or more outward like my pics?
Also wonder if an outside pointing ball bracket might work better.

Their instructions show the opposite - -- angled more inward towards the engine.

 

[TurtleOverlord]

Nice write up! Your's looks better with that thin washer.

I get credit for putting parts together though!

 

[Gimpster]

Thanks for the post... kinda want to do this myself.

One thing I might do is troll their stainless section. I did a similar DIY setup on Miata, and the steel ball mounts rusted with a quickness and I switched them out.

 

[JTee2017]

Nice write up! Your's looks better with that thin washer.

I get credit for putting parts together though!

Yup. . your parts ideas. .

Couple of things. The ball studs you listed had 5/16" SAE threads. How did you get them to fit into the M6 fender threads? They would be too big to fit/

Also, the hood brackets needed to be angled outward rather than inward like Redline shows in their instructions. .. How did you angle yours? I didn't see any detailed pics of your install to see.

 

[JTee2017]

Thanks for the post... kinda want to do this myself.

One thing I might do is troll their stainless section. I did a similar DIY setup on Miata, and the steel ball mounts rusted with a quickness and I switched them out.

Yes. . I found several stainless ball studs. Anodized ones should be ok.

The main thing is. . finding some that are M6 thread and long enough shaft. Need 1/2" minimum and 5/8" to 3/4" would be better.

I still may buy some stainless ball studs.

 

[TurtleOverlord]

Yup. . your parts ideas. .

Couple of things. The ball studs you listed had 5/16" SAE threads. How did you get them to fit into the M6 fender threads? They would be too big to fit/

Also, the hood brackets needed to be angled outward rather than inward like Redline shows in their instructions. .. How did you angle yours? I didn't see any detailed pics of your install to see.

Those were the only size ball studs I found on their site. But I didnt look very hard.

I just went to the hardware store, got some nylon lock nuts, and removed the stock nuts that are stuck in there with a large flathead.

Not sure what you mean about angles on the hood piece here is a pic of what mine looks like though

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Natesriv]

Thanks. Redline has a good product and has the right components matched up.
Probably worth the $40 more or so if a person wants an easy install.

Did you have to angle the hood brackets like they say or more outward like my pics?
Also wonder if an outside pointing ball bracket might work better.

Their instructions show the opposite - -- angled more inward towards the engine.

Nope, was a straight install. They actually had a Sonic to test install when they were making their kit. In fact, it was THIS forum's guys which convinced them to offer a Sonic kit!