Gas Hood Struts in 15 Minutes

[bravekozak]

I'm sitting on two spare hatch struts.

[TorqueEffect]

I'm sitting on two spare hatch struts.

If you can match $12 shipped, I will buy one from ya.

As long as they are as strong, or nearly as strong as a new one would be.

[johnmt]

Thanks for this post, very thorough. I picked them up from the post office today and and put them on. Work great, even in 30 degree weather. Thanks again.

[1990new]

10MM ball / 6mm threads on Expedition

Though everyone would like to know about this.
The short 10mm ball / 6mm threads strut mounts that you need to install gas hood struts can be found
in the junk yard on some Ford Expedition vehicles.
You will find that the ones mounted on the inside instead of the top fit this description.
There is one on each side in the engine compartment. You will need a 13mm socket or open end wrench to remove them.
Open end wrench will be a little easier because it is partially blocked by the coolant reservoir on one side.
You will need 4 of these if you want to install gas hood struts on both sides of your hood.

[TorqueEffect]

Just got my struts today, but won't get my ball studs until tomorrow. I will never understand the postal service.

I ordered the struts, and they shipped from Washington state, ordered the ball studs same day, shipped from Indiana, I get the struts a day earlier than the ball studs. Yeah that makes allot of sense.

[crazyrog17]

Planes travel faster than trucks.

[bravekozak]

Everyone really needs two struts. That should be the first mod everyone does. The hood is held firmer and higher than the factory prop rod. Easier and safer to work on the engine.

[toecar]

Very nice idea.
Please furnish some installation measurements.
Measurements to locate the ball stud on the hood, and on the fender.
Thanks1

[crazyrog17]

Middle fender bolt and upper hinge-to-hood bolt are replaced by the ball studs. No measurements, really.

[1990new]

Went to LKQ this morning. They did not have any Festivas or Aspires and the 88 Tracer that I had taken parts from a couple weeks ago was gone.

I did get two ball studs from a 2002 Ford Expedition. They are the 6mm shaft/10mm ball size that work perfect for the Festva hood strut.

[1990new]

StrongArm 6924 Universal 15" 26lb 10mm Ball Socket Lift Supports Struts
I can get 2 of these shipped to me from an Amazon seller for 27.79 total (That 13.90 each )
Has anyone seen them cheaper that that?

[ThisVelologist]

I can't wait to try this!

[1990new]

I can't wait to try this!

You need 4 of the ball studs to install two struts.
I found them on 2002 to 2003 and 2004 Ford Explorer's. They may be on a few others too.
They have to be the short ones with the 6 mm threads. I collect them every time I find a new explorer in the junkyard.

[TominMO]

Planes travel faster than trucks.

Not necessarily....Cessnas are slower than this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoTVvTTiT6w

[sketchman]

You can do this whole mod for free if you don't have an Amazon store card yet. I just did it a few minutes ago.

Add one of these, and one of these to your cart.

Then fill out the app for the Amazon card and in seconds you have a $40 gift card. The total for me came to something like $39.30 including shipping. Apply gift card, and place order.

Revel in the easiest technicality freebie you may have ever come across.