So many hood strut choices, which one is the best?

[raydog1]

Bought the FP ones because, in late 2017, Redline had not made ones specific to the 2018. In short, the FP ones were garbage. I had multiple problems with them. When Redline finally released the 2018 specific version, I ordered immediately and haven’t looked back. The Redlines are better in every way, from design to the detailed instructions. They’re even easier to install. The higher price is justified.

I didn’t even bother putting the FP struts on eBay for fear of jeopardizing my 100% feedback rating. I wouldn’t sell them to my worst enemy.

Don’t think about this one...just order the Redlines!

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[ice445]

Not necessarily. I meant something that looks OEM, and didn't require modifications. But guess that's not possible. Will check out both Ford Performance and Redline, which apparently are the better choices. Not afraid of modifications and adaptations, but prefer not to if a price premium is not that great.

And for those wise guys out there, I obviously know the stupid rod is OEM, and that no struts were/are available in any trim. I'll get them anyway, but want the closest to what OEM would have been, meaning solid brackets, reliable, minimal alterations, etc. Some folks just love to find a way to twist our words, when what we meant is pretty darn obvious. Geez .

I was just answering your question in a funny way, since every kit requires some modifying.

 

[Flimflamman]

I didn’t even bother putting the FP struts on eBay for fear of jeopardizing my 100% feedback rating. I wouldn’t sell them to my worst enemy.

Couldn't help but LOL to that. Mine shipped today so guess I'll find out soon.

 

[Silver Bullitt]

Couldn't help but LOL to that. Mine shipped today so guess I'll find out soon.

A friend has the FP struts. One thing I've noticed, the hood strut brackets are small. They give no support to the hood when pulling it down to close. You can see the hood actually bend slightly when you pull down on it. Personally, I'd stay away from the FP struts. I believe Steeda, Redline, or even the Roush ones would be a much better option.

 

[raydog1]

Couldn't help but LOL to that. Mine shipped today so guess I'll find out soon.

That’s the main problem. After I installed them, I gave them a great review. I didn’t understand all of the complaints until several months later.

Pinching the wiper fluid tube was easily fixable and avoidable if they had just updated the install guide. Lack of lifting power was forgivable. But, I drew the line at making contact with the hood and rubbing off paint. That doesn’t meet my expectation of a product designed for 2015 - 2017 but claiming to be “compatible with the 2018.”

 

[Norm Peterson]

What i dislike about these gas hood shocks,
(Or are they called struts nowdays?)
is the fact I only seen them on any autos, front or rear, in "single shear".

A double shear design would require fancier brackets that I would guess take up more room.

Aquireling metric rod ends isnt hard, so now its just makin a bracket that mnts easy and get the geometry right.

As an aftermarket mod, I can't see it mattering what system the rod ends were made to.

The "free and easy" prop rods, as simple as they are, still seem to get jacked up by others,..
Those who try to 'help u out', seem to screw up removing it or setting them in place, when they dont know Your car..
like a friend
or the rookie oil chg guy.. 1 dude bent my wifes prop rod on an oil chg and jacked the a bit. Long ago...

Not the prop rod's fault. That oil change dude of yours probably used to hang stuff off of outside mirrors, too.

Prop rods are '70s jap car tech.

Ford was using prop rods in the 1970's, too. And not just on the subcompact Pinto.

Just make hood support itself @ factory.

Cars used to use wound-up flat wire springs at the hinges for that purpose. But it ends up making the hood both heavier and stronger than it needs to be for its main functions. On heavier, OEM's have been getting fussy over ounces in some cases, just to get down into the next lower emissions "weight class". And hood strength figures into crash performance. Granted, those considerations probably don't matter all that much in normal driving, but they do come with standards that Ford and the rest are obliged to meet.

How do ya get the blue bx "quotes" above ur own post?

Find the button labeled 'Reply' at the bottom-right of the post that you wish to specifically answer.


Norm

 

[Sig556]

Bought the FP ones because, in late 2017, Redline had not made ones specific to the 2018. In short, the FP ones were garbage. I had multiple problems with them. When Redline finally released the 2018 specific version, I ordered immediately and haven’t looked back. The Redlines are better in every way, from design to the detailed instructions. They’re even easier to install. The higher price is justified.

I didn’t even bother putting the FP struts on eBay for fear of jeopardizing my 100% feedback rating. I wouldn’t sell them to my worst enemy.

Don’t think about this one...just order the Redlines!

Agreed I have had the same set installed on three cars.

 

[gismo4]

Is there a hood strut kit that requires NO modifications whatsoever, AND that doesn't interfere with anything? In other words, an OEM fitting and looking kit. I wouldn't care if it's more expensive, but achieves that . Thx.

Here you go: https://www.shopmrt.com/2015-2019-Mustang-MRT-Hood-Struts-p/80u900.htm

I wish I found these sooner.

 

[308 Cal. Bullitt]

.. makes sense ..

 

[Bikeman315]

Here you go: https://www.shopmrt.com/2015-2019-Mustang-MRT-Hood-Struts-p/80u900.htm

I wish I found these sooner.

If I recall from a few years back, a bunch of folks didn't like these once installed because of the angle. They said the fender mount was too far back. Haven't heard anything recently so maybe they improved their design.

 

[gismo4]

If I recall from a few years back, a bunch of folks didn't like these once installed because of the angle. They said the fender mount was too far back. Haven't heard anything recently so maybe they improved their design.

A found this post a few pages back. He seems to like them on his gt350.

i went with MRT bc there is no drilling whatsoever. i've got a GT350R but i think it's the same for the GT. working great so far and install was a pinch...

https://www.shopmrt.com/2015-2019-Mustang-MRT-Hood-Struts-p/80u900.htm

and here's my video of it...

 

[Flimflamman]

Alright so I just got done installing the Ford struts. Not gonna lie... they are not the best design. There is no rubbing or hood alignment issues. And I see what people mean by the brackets not being big enough, and they are a little slow to fully open up. Otherwise, not to bad overall. Gonna have to live with them for a while anyways.

The part that sucked the most was dropping my 10mm socket in the fender well. Had to fish it out with a hanger. That was a bitch. LOL

 

[m3incorp]

Always sucks to drop a tool or a bolt. I keep a telescoping magnet because I've dropped so many things. I'm going to install my Redlines tomorrow and see how it goes.

 

[speedup]

I installed my Steeda ones yesterday. Easy install, luckily didnt drop any tools. The passenger side hood bracket is turning a little outward, I was worried about over tightening them .. will have to retorque them...

Also, the instructions say to put the washerfluid line plastic clip in a hole in the passenger side bracket.. They must have changed the plastic clips on the 18-19s, that hole is too large, and shallow

 

[Elp_jc]

Test-drove a Bullitt today, and when I opened the hood to check the engine, I burned myself. The damn struts are a must, so the hell with the negatives. Ha ha. So which ones are better (or less worse) then? Ford, Redline, or Steeda? PICTURES would help .

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