Daniel...thanks for the part number on the Strong Arm hood lift supports. I think you sent it to someone on the forum a couple of weeks ago. Found it using the search command. I had just about given up on finding an aftermarket version. Advance Auto just started carrying the supports in my area within the last few weeks. Prior to that, none of the local parts stores even listed aftermarket supports for the 4G. Advance sells the Strong Arm supports for $30 a pair. Just got quoted $156 from Courtesy on the OEM parts, so this will be quite a savings! Thanks again!

 

Glad to help. Please post again when you get those Strong Arm units. Tell us
1) How easy/difficult the installation was.
2) Whether they are a perfect substitute for the originals.
3) Your opinion of their quality.

Strong Arm hood lift supports are made in the USA by AVM Inc, part of Arvin Industries.
See http://www.avminc.com/strongarm/

 

In fact, I'd posted a question asking where replacement lifts could be obtained and only got "$90 each from Nissan" as an answer. This was about a month ago. I did a web search, found the manufacturer of 'Strong Arm' and 'Mighty Lift' gas units and contacted them. They first gave me the part number and name of Advance. I went to advance and they told me the 'part wasn't available'. I called the manufacturer back, they said try again. Advance was totally stumped because their warehouse count was zero. The manufacturer then directed me to CarQuest, who had the units in the warehouse, but they were more money (surprise), about $25 each. Still - way cheaper than Nissan.
I've since installed them and thrown away the broomstick I was using to hold my hood up!

 

Here you go....

1) Installation was a snap. No problems.
2) The new units fit well. Their length is a little longer than the originals, but that doesn't seem to affect their performance, just had to push the hood up slightly to get them to fit.
3) Quality seems ok. I can't complain for $15 a piece! The end connectors are not quite the quality of the stock units, but seem to function fine. It sure is nice to have hood supports that work again!

 

goldmax does Advance Auto have an online store that you could purchase order from? I'm also starting to use my head for hood support once in awhile now and I think I'm about fed up with that The only stores around here where I live that have a resembling name is Advanced Auto Parts which I doubt carry it.

 

Advance Auto has an online affiliate, PartsAmerica.com. I've placed two online orders with PartsAmerica and was pleased. Their prices are a trifle lower than Advance, perhaps 5% lower for the same items.

Now here's the good part. The items I ordered were in stock at my local Advance Auto store, and I got a phone call two hours later saying "your order is ready for pick-up." Because the items were already in stock there was no shipping charge.

Now here's the really good part. If you are outside California, there's no sales tax! I don't know how they can get away with that, but they do.

 

Can you possible give a writeup on the install? I had to return the hood lifts I got from Pep Boys, because I could not get the original ones off. What is the trick? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

It takes ten minutes at the most. First - prop the hood open with a broomstick, 2x4 or whatever. Next, use a 13mm open-end wrench to remove the upper (hood) and lower (inner fender) ball studs. DO ONE SIDE AT A TIME. The ball studs are permanently mounted to the sockets on each end of the factory lifts, so once both studs are backed out of their threaded bosses, the lift should come off the car (with the studs still in their sockets). The strong arm replacements ball studs are not attaced (yet) to the replacement lifts. DO NOT ATTACH THEM TO THE LIFT YET. Thread each into the upper and lower threaded bosses on the hood and inner fender and snug up with an open-end (or box end) wrench. Once the ball studs are mounted on the car, simply 'snap' each socket end of the replacement lift on the ball studs and you're done with that side. Repeat the process for the other side and you are finished.

 

I checked on www.partsamerica.com and they do show hood supports with a part number of 4524....does this sound right to anyone? I guess I should call them. On the site they're $15.99 Man, I hope these are the right ones...I'm tired of holding my hood up.

 

Strong Arm #4524. That's what you want.

 

Thanks Daniel B. !

 

hmm interesting...they don't have the parts listed for 99 model but only 98 and lower. I wouldn't think the hood lift supports changed between 98 and 99 since it's pretty much the same hood. Oh well may be it's the online catalogue not complete. I'll give them a call some times and find out.

 

I learn something everyday. Thanks