Wanted: Hood strut / dampers feedback.
 

Im looking at some hood struts / dampers and I'm looking for feedback from people who have been using for a while. My previous car, MK3 Supra, came stock w/ hood struts and they were crap, I ended up replacing nearly every year. However, they were autozone brand and very cheap. My question is, there are several kits from $70-$200, and I want to know if any users have already had blown shocks, or how long they're expected to last. I know the GrimmSpeed kit is old so I'd like to hear from people who bought the early sets and if there have been any issues.

Im looking at the GrimmSpeed, Rexpeed, and SuperTek kits.

Thanks

I've got the Grimmspeed hood struts - had them installed for a year or so now. Only issue I have is the fasteners have a nice coating of rust on them. The struts still push and hold the hood up.

Grimspeed here. It's a great product. Absolutely no complaints. I also have radium catch cans and with the new hardware provided from grimspeed, everything works perfect.

I offer a nice hood strut kit for the FRS. I have polished or CF available. I have had a kit on my car for 3 years. No issues. I have been selling them for 3 years plus.

Charles

There was a group buy a long time ago for $80 (can't remember the brand but it was a reputable manufacturer (also did OEM stuff I think), they felt like good quality and have worked great since day one.

GrimmSpeed struts are well worth the slightly higher cost. They push the hood up further than some of the other kits (not sure which ones). They also include heavy duty reinforcement bars to take the stress off the thin aluminum hood. I highly recommend them. I do not have any long term feedback as far as strut longevity as I have only had them installed for a few months.

I have the Grimmspeed's too and like them alot. Like mentioned above they open the hood higher, have the reinforcements for the hood, and they just work great. Probably been in my car for close to a year. I don't think you can go wrong with these!

I just installed the Grimspeed struts this afternoon and I am pretty impressed. The hardware was solid and they perform remarkably well.

Thank you to everyone for the feedback! I must say I'm quite fond of the GrimmSpeed Hood struts myself :P

I just went to youtube to get our video, but found a few other people who have posted videos. I assume this guy is a member here (maybe not though), but we didn't ask him to make this video, and I'd never seen it before. But he does a great job of showing the major difference between our kit, and some of the others:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6Z2ehBmYks"]Grimmspeed hood dampers compared to generic hood dampers - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLIUqV3ZKiE"]Grimmspeed FR-S and BRZ hood dampers in action - YouTube[/ame]

These two videos show why I hate the other kits' lower bracket. And it also does a great job of showing the damping provided in the last inch of travel of the struts, which slows the hood down before it reaches the very top. Thanks to whoever did this review and comparison!

And here is the video I was looking for of ours:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEmVNpBaUGQ"]GrimmSpeed Engineering - FT86 Hood Strut Testing - YouTube[/ame]

Again thanks everyone, and let me know if you have any more questions!

Chase
Engineering

I hate the flimsy prop rod. Might have to get these!

lol that other kit haha, im glad I went with GS

+1 Grimmspeed

We happen to like the Supertek version!:thumbup:

FT86SpeedFactory created an awesome DIY video below:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...light=supertek

Dont cheap out. I got cheapo ones for my STi before and they rusted in Central CA of all places. I have the GS on this car and they are holding up great, plus the bonuses already mentioned by eeveryone else (reinforced hood, higher angle, etc)