Hi folks....need replacement struts to hold up the new STEEL HOOD.
The aluminum hood was just ate up w/ cancer and the third time was the charm.
So, now it has a steel hood but cannot find struts to support it. Ford spec is 13.04 inches.

I've tried Ford dealers but look at me like a cow at a new cattle guard!

Thanks and Merry Christmas yah'll

C-man....

 

Ok, I'm confused, the aluminum hood rotted, but a steel hood won't? I would think you mean the other way around.

Just get some hood struts, don't mess with the dealer if this is an aftermarket hood anyway. Their struts are made for their hood. If you go to the local parts store, just ask for the right struts, shouldn't matter what your hood is made from, just order the ones made for your car.

If they still won't support it, you are out of luck.

 

No ah the OEM hood was Aluminum and I had body work done twice and the corrosion just kept coming back. Yeah steel will rust also I get it...... But is was aluminum and I was tired of trying to get it fixed. I've not had this issue with steel hoods, so I opted for the steel hood.

And yes it does matter about the struts because the steel hood is about 80lbs heavier if not more. So I need stronger struts. I've spent many an hour at NAPA catalogs and it seems that those with whom I've spoken do not seem to get the fact I need a higher rated strut.

 

Here is the link to AVM Industries who make gas springs and sell them as MightLift and StrongArm. They can help you get what you need since they offer replacement springs and custom applications.

AVM Industries

Just don't get them too strong and bend your new hood!

 

Yeah that would be awesome I'd probably be able to hang off the hood trying to close it kindah like a short Yosemite Sam throwing a fit...lol....
Thanks for the link have a great Christmas weekend.....

C-man.....

 

Thank you for the link to the vendor!

Ordered the struts from Auto Zone and in 5 minutes was good to go.
Opens and closes very well no one will know the hood is steel vice aluminum!

Happy ending and have a prosperous new year!

 

Hello, Im in the same boat as you with the new steel hood. Any chance you have that part number on those heavy duty hood shocks?


Thanks justin

 

Use the link above for AVM Industries and you will find it....Auto Zone will get it for you really quick.....

Oh and yes, they worked very well....

 

Thanks, I looked and the two that fit the application only lift 61 lbs so I was not sure if they were the correct application. Did you look them up by length?

 

I think the ones I got were 13 inches just a 1/4 inch shorter and did not make any difference.

You can email them and ask for a verification they were pretty good with me. I sold the exploder for a Lariat years ago but it held the hod with no issues......sorry don't have the part number....

 

Got it Thanks.







Advance & Carquest(part# E4143), Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper, Federated, Fisher, Mills FleetFarm, Parts Plus, Parts Pro and Parts Master carry the StrongArm brand, part#4143.



Auto Zone carries theMighty Lift brand, part# F95303

 

Thanks for the update....glad all is well!

 

For anyone in the future, the Mountaineer struts are thicker/stronger than the explorer struts. I learned that the hard way. The bonus here is they will flat fling open a stock explorer hood and hold it up very well.

 

Just in case anyone else has this issue as I just did....

I am the original owner of my 2002 Sport Trac and it has a steel hood, not aluminum. Maybe they changed midway through the year? The Gator Auto Supply Amazon Store with tell you FAS-147 for a 2002 Sport Trac but that part number is not strong enough to support the steel hood, as I found out.

You need their FAS-148, which is a stronger strut and notes it is for aftermarket steel hoods.