Hood strut install and discount code

[828findadventure]

Hey all, I just made a 24-26 Tacoma hood strut install video for Lexland. Easy install, and I have a Discount Code to share.

LEXLAND 20% Off Code:828discount
Tacoma/4Runner Hood Holder Front Hood Struts Upgrade Kit:https://lexland.com/ysdxeq
Explore More Toyota Accessories:https://lexland.com/828findadventuredevinlexland

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[jackvz]

Before I fork out some hard earned money, has anyone installed these? How do they compare to for example th Redline struts?

 

[Will721]

Been doing a bit of research into these. So I was drilled for ideas on what I wanted for Christmas from my family this past year, one of the probably 50 or so links I sent was for redline hood struts. My dad however loves Ebay for some reason and I got a set from there. They didn't come with any instructions for how to mount them so I went down a rabbit hole.

Basically there appears to be a Chinese manufacturer somewhere supplying these kits, they are a copy of Redline. Redline and rough country appear to be the only "different" manufacturers. The rest, including the ones listed above and of course Amazon and Ebay all appear to be the exact same. So I can give a pretty decent review on them.

The kit works "fine". They come with all required parts and hardware. They are "no drill" and will take you longer to find the wrenches to install them than actually completing the task. I say the kit works "fine" because the struts do hold up the hood and do their job but aren't the strongest so if you are inclined to install a bunch of sound deadening like some members do to quiet down the injector rattle they may not be sufficient. However in stock configuration they do the job. The only real complaint I have is the finish. They are painted, not powder coated and the finish is possibly the least durable I've ever seen with what appears to be zero prep done before spraying. They are a non moving part so if they arrive undamaged they'll probably last forever but mine were chipped during shipping. I'll be adding sound deadening to my hood later so I'll probably upgrade to the Redlines anyway.

 

[jsuber]

I installed struts I bought on Amazon. The key to the installation is the last step. Lift up on the hood to line up the ball joint on each side. It’s a hood strut not a Baja competition axle strut.

 

[828findadventure]

Before I fork out some hard earned money, has anyone installed these? How do they compare to for example th Redline struts?

Yes on both my vehicles, a 25 Tacoma and a 25 4Runner. I have also had Redline on other vehicles. They are hood struts, that's all.

 

[828findadventure]

Been doing a bit of research into these. So I was drilled for ideas on what I wanted for Christmas from my family this past year, one of the probably 50 or so links I sent was for redline hood struts. My dad however loves Ebay for some reason and I got a set from there. They didn't come with any instructions for how to mount them so I went down a rabbit hole.

Basically there appears to be a Chinese manufacturer somewhere supplying these kits, they are a copy of Redline. Redline and rough country appear to be the only "different" manufacturers. The rest, including the ones listed above and of course Amazon and Ebay all appear to be the exact same. So I can give a pretty decent review on them.

The kit works "fine". They come with all required parts and hardware. They are "no drill" and will take you longer to find the wrenches to install them than actually completing the task. I say the kit works "fine" because the struts do hold up the hood and do their job but aren't the strongest so if you are inclined to install a bunch of sound deadening like some members do to quiet down the injector rattle they may not be sufficient. However in stock configuration they do the job. The only real complaint I have is the finish. They are painted, not powder coated and the finish is possibly the least durable I've ever seen with what appears to be zero prep done before spraying. They are a non moving part so if they arrive undamaged they'll probably last forever but mine were chipped during shipping. I'll be adding sound deadening to my hood later so I'll probably upgrade to the Redlines anyway.

Mine came with instructions using a QR code for both vehicles. As for made in China, what isn't since the nineties? I have used these exact ones for six months, and the redline ones for a little longer. Both work as they should and are the same thing you get at the auto parts store. As for the mounts that bolt to the vehicle, they showed up unscratched with both sets and do the job. The price that I paid was fair.

 

[MJB4450]

I'd like to get the struts but I tried the Redline which are the same thing as these and unfortunately for some unknown reason, some Tacomas come with an IBS module attached to the neg. battery terminal and some don't. Mine has the module and it and it's cable sticks out right where the strut would come down on. So I had to return them. Here's a photo of that cable with the strut bracket installed. It sits right on the mounting bracket from the kit. And if the strut was on, it would come down and damage the connector to the battery.

 

[lpsoldia311]

^ I've just installed the Redline version off Amazon a few weeks back and had the same battery connector sticking out (non-hybrid '25 Limited) but oddly it even says on the installation sheet several times and with photos that IBS cable isn't an issue if you tuck it underneath the ball mount. I did that and not thrilled with it since it does just barely touch the bottom of the strut once installed, but seems fine at least on my truck and had the cable sheath to help protect it. Might try to shift or unbolt and try to rotate that cable connection next time I'm under the hood. Overall the Redline version worked for me and seemed more than strong enough to support the hood, other than me leaning on the wheel fender and putting a nice 3" crease in it. Spent more time lightly hammering the crease out from underneath than on the hood strut install.

 

[jackvz]

^ I've just installed the Redline version off Amazon a few weeks back and had the same battery connector sticking out (non-hybrid '25 Limited) but oddly it even says on the installation sheet several times and with photos that IBS cable isn't an issue if you tuck it underneath the ball mount. I did that and not thrilled with it since it does just barely touch the bottom of the strut once installed, but seems fine at least on my truck and had the cable sheath to help protect it. Might try to shift or unbolt and try to rotate that cable connection next time I'm under the hood. Overall the Redline version worked for me and seemed more than strong enough to support the hood, other than me leaning on the wheel fender and putting a nice 3" crease in it. Spent more time lightly hammering the crease out from underneath than on the hood strut install.

The fender buckled when you leaned on it?

 

[MJB4450]

^ I've just installed the Redline version off Amazon a few weeks back and had the same battery connector sticking out (non-hybrid '25 Limited) but oddly it even says on the installation sheet several times and with photos that IBS cable isn't an issue if you tuck it underneath the ball mount. I did that and not thrilled with it since it does just barely touch the bottom of the strut once installed, but seems fine at least on my truck and had the cable sheath to help protect it. Might try to shift or unbolt and try to rotate that cable connection next time I'm under the hood. Overall the Redline version worked for me and seemed more than strong enough to support the hood, other than me leaning on the wheel fender and putting a nice 3" crease in it. Spent more time lightly hammering the crease out from underneath than on the hood strut install.

Thanks for the info. There's really no way to turn that IBS connector. It also looked as if the strut would come too close or even deform the connector when the hood was closed so I just didn't take the chance. I bought the Redline early in 2025. I don't think the 2024 models had the IBS module so my 2025 may have been one of the first. At that time the Redline instructions did not mention the IBS module. Nor did their online video. I assume they got enough returns to look into it and that's why they now mention it.

 

[lpsoldia311]

The fender buckled when you leaned on it?

Yeah, been meaning to write a post about it to warn others but if you lean on the most curved part of the fender it'll pop in and crease. I'm 5'8" and average body weight so always been used to just leaning on vehicle fenders my whole life with my hands or arms and never had a thought about it other than scratching the paint. There's still a ripple there at the right angle but it's still irritating to know it's that delicately thin.

 

[jackvz]

Yeah, been meaning to write a post about it to warn others but if you lean on the most curved part of the fender it'll pop in and crease. I'm 5'8" and average body weight so always been used to just leaning on vehicle fenders my whole life with my hands or arms and never had a thought about it other than scratching the paint. There's still a ripple there at the right angle but it's still irritating to know it's that delicately thin.

That is crazy! I had no idea those panels are that flimsy

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