Hood Strut - Lift Support Recommendations?

[jaywish]

The hood struts on the 03 must go to their final resting place.

I know there have been several mentions of replacement struts but I think they were kind of scattered in miscellaneous threads.

So before I buy does anyone have any positive or negative recommendations?

Thanks
Jay

[friskyfrankie]

My friend needed them for his '96 CV and we sourced them from Amazon. Since they are all made in China, the decisions process is real easy. In any event, they are still "holding up" (sorry for the pun) and it is over 4 years later!

[FordMan77]

I went with the Stabilus brand on my 00 GP for the trunk and also on the hood struts. That's what came on it OEM and they lasted the longest. Also on some Fords as well. I sourced mine from OReilly's but other stores may sell them as well. Never had an issue with these.

[mercurygm88]

The original loft supports on the Mark VI were fine when I bought it but they wouldn’t hold the hood up in cool weather. I got the Stabilus lift supports from O’Reilly’s. They’re just now coming up on a year old but they’re strong enough they almost open the hood themselves and my Mark VI has a steel hood. They also have a lifetime warranty.

[DerekTheGreat]

I've got Stabilus struts on my '88. Put them on about five years ago, they're toast now.

[sly]

I've had good luck with StrongArm lift struts. I've got them on most everything I have now. I've replaced things once with those (except the Mark VI that I sold to sxcpotatoes - that one required more due to the sheer heft of that trunk lid). Some are brandy new as of this year (rear of the Expedition - hood struts are about 5 years old - replaced right after I bought it) but the ones on the 93 have been there for over a decade now.

[DerekTheGreat]

Thanks for the tip, sly. I'll look into them for replacements for my Townie.

[friskyfrankie]

As Popeye once said, "Ya puts up your money and ya takes your chances!" Not even sure any are still made in the USA so they are probably made in the same factory (China) and sold under different names. You "may" get some sort of idea, say like on Amazon reviews (with a grain of salt) and hope you gets years of service. They are quick to replace so merely see what happens.

[gadget73]

Of the many sets I've tried on the Towncar, the only ones that worked are the Stabilus ones. Made the mistake of going with steel hood models since the last 2 sets of steel hood ones would barely hold the aluminum hood. Its actually hard to shut now.

they are made in Turkey if you're curious. Branding on the package is Tuff Support. A product of Inseco, INC NY NY.

something I did discover about the install on the Towncar, they are actually upside-down. The rod should be aimed downward, not upward like they are from the factory. The oil needs to get on the seal or it leaks.

[Mainemantom]

Mounted upside down... Interesting. Might have to try that. Due to the cold weather here, hood struts do not last long for me. I have tried a variety of brands.

[jaywish]

Wound up ordering a set of the Stabilus as it was the cheapest, of Stabilus, Strong Arm & Tuff Support with shipping to me on Rock Auto which seems to have very good prices on these items.

Also It is nice to use the closeout search feature by vehicle. Ordered some Valve cover gaskets & Oil filter for the Mercedes and an OEM Marauder air filter cheap. Plus I just couldn't resist a top line Standard Brand BOO switch for the Marauder for $4 even though I don't need one.

[gadget73]

There are a lot of things on my shelf that were purchased purely because they were very cheap. I have an OEM NOS temperature switch for the Continental that I bought for like 3 bucks. I don't even know which of the three it is but I have one.

[jaywish]

just got these in.

A pleasant surprise at the top of the picture!

[jaywish]

Well I recommissioned the Marauder today. Changed the struts when I got home. To my pleasant surprise they are identical to the original units with the exception of motorcraft printing.

[FordMan77]

Yep, and now there is no more hood wanting to eat your head/hands