Hood Struts

[uriel]

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...i just got a quote of $98.00/each for hood struts for my '98 LX..

My mechanic told me that the ones I had picked up from the local parts place probably wouldn't last very long, and he would charge $68.00 to put them in

So what do you all recomment? I assume someone here has done this before now, and is there a certain tool you need to do it?

First time for everything I guess, so thank you in advance for your help.

 

[9toys]

i bought mine off ebay a few years ago for about $30-$35 if i remember correctly. Still work fine. Easy to install.
Just checked. A pair for $59.95 on ebay. key in land cruiser hood struts-scroll to bottom for 98-04.

 

[mcalvarez73]

toyotapartscenter.com sells it for $64.06 each, i would go with oem if i were you...

 

[Trunk Monkey]

One of mine blew out, I replaced with Ebay ones. Can't remember the brand name, they're great and half the cost of OEM.

EDIT - found the guy I bought from:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyo...013QQitemZ230339223540QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Fiddy bucks for two.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Ebay...like $30-$40
Very ez to install
Not only do the Ebay ones hold your hood up they pretty much lift it once its popped.

 

[uzj100]

They have them at just about every auto parts store. 1/2 banana install. Mine were $25 or so each. Took less than 5 minutes per side. NO special tools required.

 

[pint]

I bought the Ebay ones for $50ish per pair a year 1/2 ago. 5 minute install and are holding up great! PLEASE don't pay anyone $68 labor to put them in unless you're in CO...I will install them for $30!!!

 

[uriel]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the responses. I am going to install the ones I got from Autozone and see what happens. That way I can put my 2x4 in the back again. If they end up having a short life I'll go to ebay. Man, it's always the small stuff!

 

[Utahfj62]

Two OEM struts $52 bucks each.

Installed - piece of cake. Just have a friend you trust or a sturdy 2x4 hold the hood up while you are working on them.

 

[davegonz]

Just ordered the ebay ones. I'll chime in when I install them.

 

[NMuzj100]

You are in Cruiser Dan's hometown so I recommend him for future part needs. OEM parts, cruiser knowledge, MUD discount and no shipping. He's at American Toyota on I-25.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Just ordered the ebay ones. I'll chime in when I install them.

Post for longevity. The ones you put in in 2009 are toast Dave. Just replaced them with another set labeled W.A.S. (Wisconsin Auto Supply) I purchased from CruiserYard. So that is about 5 years.

 

[davegonz]

LOL! Damn internet.

 

[stonepa]

Wow - those struts are spendy. The one time I needed to I popped down to my local autozone and bought the blue and yellow struts they sell, although I had to have them order the lift gate struts. Worked great and lasted at least 5 years for rear lift gate and forever for the hood.

 

[TXLX100]

I replaced with the StrongArms from amazon 3 years ago, think they are $20 each & free shipping. They are not quite as long as the OEM when extended, but not a big deal. I figure they'll last another year the way they are extending right now.

 

[2003TLC]

3-5 years seems like a short life span, right? I was going to go strong arm, but not if they only last a few years.

 

[TXLX100]

3-5 years seems like a short life span, right? I was going to go strong arm, but not if they only last a few years.

Maybe. It's a very heavy hood, strong arms are probably under designed for it. I looked back, I've had mine on for a little more than 2 years. They still support the hood, but font lift it like I think they should. Not enough $ for me to worry about at $17 each. I'll probably hit napa the next time I need a set.

These lift clamps are probably a wise investment for anyone working under the hood for extended period of time, esp if you are outside with wind. --->http://www.amazon.com/OTC-4706-Univ...TF8&qid=1415128377&sr=1-4&keywords=Hood+clamp

 

[HortyNM]

I recently bought mine here http://www.autopartsbylou.com. Very affordable and have a pretty good reputation here on the various hood strut forums. They've been great so far and easy to install.

 

[cboyd]

X2 for Mr Lou.