Ford DIY Hood Struts
Whether you're tuning your engine or just doing a scheduled oil change, you need a solid way to hold the hood up as you work. MRT hood struts are the original no-drill hood strut that are functional, rugged, stylish and ridiculously easy to install. Replacing the flimsy factory prop rod with this sturdy lift support improves garage safety while adding a performance look that is sure to impress at racetracks and car shows - and you won't have to sully your machine by drilling holes in the hood. Get a set of MRT hood struts for your Ford car, truck or SUV and see why they're an effective aftermarket upgrade over OEM.
We carry handcrafted hood struts for almost every generation of Mustang along with newer Focus, Explorer, Bronco and Maverick models. Get an MRT Mustang hood strut kit for models past and present, including rarer models like the GT350. These struts use OEM hood attachment points and can be installed in 15 minutes or less using just a 10mm wrench. You don't even need extra bolts. The strut brackets are made of high-quality steel that will last through countless maintenance and modding projects. If your vehicle has an aftermarket hood, call us at 734-455-5807 and give us the hood's weight. We'll supply the right strut cylinder size so it will function like a factory hood strut.
Handcrafted Custom Hood Supports
A set of no-drill hood struts is an affordable DIY way to raise the performance and style of both street and show cars. All MRT lift support parts are made in the U.S. at our Plymouth, Michigan headquarters for car guys like us. We inspect our products at least four times before shipping approval so you know they're high-quality.
The struts and brackets come standard with a durable matte black powder coat finish - but for an additional fee, we can custom-paint your brackets in more than 30 colors from school bus yellow to sonic blue. We can even match the original factory paint code. Simply select the "Factor Paint Color Code" option in the Bracket Color dropdown menu during checkout. Click on the strut for your model year to find detailed installation instructions and much more.
Hood Struts FAQs
What are the benefits of adding a hood strut kit?
A no-drill hood strut kit gives show cars and track cars a clean underhood appearance. Their easy-open and easy-lift design is excellent for performing routine maintenance. You also don't have to work around the engine prop rod or worry about hitting your head on it.
Will removing the engine prop rod provide weight savings?
Not necessarily. You are replacing a simple rod with four brackets - two for the hood passenger and driver side and two for the fender passenger and driver side. Although this may not reduce the overall weight, vehicle hood struts have many other advantages that make them worthwhile.
Can I use a kit designed for the OE stock Mustang, Explorer, Focus or Bronco when I have an aftermarket hood?
No - the kit uses pressurized gas cylinders to support the hood weight. Too much pressure on a light hood could cause bulging or alignment issues and too little pressure could cause the hood to fall. Contact us if you have an aftermarket hood; we can custom-build the correct gas struts for your hood based on its weight. Aftermarket caster camber plats can also interfere with installing hood struts.
Does hood alignment change when you add hood struts to replace the prop rod?
It can - it depends on when the car was made. On older vehicles (think pre-2000) where variability was less controlled, OE manufacturers used a slotted hole design on the hoods for adjustment to maintain hood-to-fender alignment. The resulting dimensional variability stack-up of the hood to the A-pillar to the cowl to the fender intersection point could potentially cause an alignment issue. On newer vehicles, computer modeling, Six Sigma techniques and craftsmanship models have significantly reduced the dimensional stack-up variability and therefore hood alignment issues.
What makes a good hood strut or hood lift?
An OEM-grade material finish and gas cylinders are the starting point for a good hood strut kit. You should also look for a design that doesn't alter the OE metal, change the vehicle load path or modify the performance of OEM components. Finally, look for do-it-yourself installation that doesn't require drilling or special tools. Our hood struts take just 30 minutes to install in your driveway or backyard.
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