All right, I know this is down on the list of mods, but have any of you disposed of that oh so annoying prop rod in favor of the gas struts? I am looking for your opinions quality of install and how well they actually hold up the hood. All input is appreciated!
I personally believe the Redline Tuning struts are the finest on the market. I've had them on my last two Mustangs. Install is easy and they work/look great. Here's my '07 GT with the stainless steel "elite" version from Redline Tuning...
i have redline as well. i like them, looks like OEM, but you do have to drill holes. got the black ones for about $70.
Looks like Five oh Brian's would be in the way when working on the engine. Do you guys have a handy link to those?
I have CDC hood struts and love them. They support the OEM aluminum hood with ease. I don't know how well they would work with the heavier aftermarket hoods though. They are almost never in your way for working under the hood. They allow the hood to open much further than the prop rod (really close to the physical max of the hinge itself). They don't require any hole drilling, but do require removing one hood hinge bolt and loosening the other to slide the mounting bracket in. That makes it so you don't have to totally remove the hinge bracket from the hood to complicate hood realignment and makes it easy for single person install. I only had to make one slight readjustment on the driver side. I bought them directly from CDC, but several sites also carry them.
Redline Tuning 2005+ Ford Mustang QuickLIFT system - Lifts and holds your hood without prop rod. heres the redline site. they dont sell the base model that i have any more. now their cheapest ones are 85. i think the CDC ones like kooldawg has dont require any drillling like the redline ones. i think the MRT ones can support aftermarket hoods.
I have the CDC like Kooldawg. The one issue I do have with them is the fact if the wind blows, the hood can catch. The prop rod goes into the hood and prevents this. So if you're into showing your car, be weary.
MRT struts for me. Easy install, no drilling to hood or fenders. But I did grind on the base brackets a little to get a little better closing. There was a slight clearance issue with the hood bolt-head and the top of the bracket. Took maybe 1/8" off the top of the bracket, a little rattle-can black over the my 'fabrication', done...
Well, yea, there is that little item as well. I installed both myself, (and the RingBrothers hoodpins), but the KB did take a bit longer. I like the MRT struts best as they require no drilling and are mounted to the rear - not stretched across the fenders like some of the other 'long' struts (e.g. Redlines). They raise smoothly and hold the hood really well for car shows and such. I still have my OEM prop, but never use it. The CDCs and MRT look very, very similar. Perhaps they could even be the same item rebranded through the two companies? As with all things in the Stang world, it's a matter of personal preference....
I just ordered the MRT hood struts. All black color for my triple black 06GT and no drilling was an easy decision. Also like that fact that nothing stretches on the sides of the hood. I'll let you know how I like them.
I put the MRT brand on my '07 black vert. Love them. Out of the way, have not had a problem at shows, easy 20 min. install, good looks.
Well, you all convinced me and I ordered the MRT struts, they arrived today. Hopefully get them in this week, doesn't look like its too difficult and install. I may even paint them to match my car! Thanks for all your feedback
I've got the mrt's on my car and they work great. i installed them myself and had no problem at all just start with the drivers side and use the prop rod to hold the hood up.
Close your hood very slowly the first time and watch for any bowing in the middle or near the back of the hood. If you have a slight raised gap above the fenders you might think it's tension on the hood from the hood lifts, but it isn't (at least on mine). I did have a slight clearance issue on the MRT bracket that mounts on the fender striking the hood bolt and the top plate. A little careful grinding on the vertical part of that bottom bracket, radius the corner a little and repaint rattle-can black when done took care of the slight bulge. I used petroleum jelly to determine where it was touching. Now it closes perfectly, no gap...
While the Redline Tuning struts may require drilling and rivetting, they don't require unbolting the hood from the hinges with often times results in alignment issues, hood rubbing against fender, etc. like the MRT's seem to (occasionally). Easy to install doesn't necessarily mean better. I've done Redline Tuning struts on my last two Mustangs and the fit & finish is perfect with no problems of any kind.
I have the CDC struts ( 2 Years ) and am really pleased with them. I did keep the prop rod attached "Just in case" though.
