I've tried several brands of struts, but the angle between the ball that screws into the body, and the strut, exceeds the limits of the socket on the strut. What I seem to need is a strut with an angled socket on one end, but I haven't found one like that.

Anyone had this problem and found a solution?

Turn the strut around, had the same issue and flipping it worked.

Thanks, I tried it both ways. Almost fit one way, way off the other way, so I returned them to my local store. I'm ordering another pair of a different brand from Amazon.

StrongArm or BUST

That's what I'm ordering. I've replaced these several times over the years, and it seems they become too weak after about three years. Before they quit holding the hood up, the hood quits popping up after pulling the handle. With new struts, the hood pops up to the safety latch after pulling the handle.

I think I have used Monroe from rockauto on few 4th gens and they always fit and work great.

I'm using a board

Been there, done that, looks ghetto as hell though. LMFAO

I'd recommend a prop rod in place of one strut. I made my own out of aluminum tubing with rubber hose inserted inside and a peice of threaded rod inside the hose with the same threads as the oem unit. Did i mention you can unscrew the angled ends off the struts? I just screwed them onto the threaded rod. Connected it to the bottom stud, cut a groove in the top end of the aluminum tube so the upper stud sits inside the tube and won't fall off. I made it open higher too. The extra room is wonderful. Be careful to not crack the glass if going higher. When it's down, it sits nicely along the shock tower top edge.

I bought some for my 96 at what was Kragens, & they came with a lifetime warranty. Have you tried any local parts stores? You could quickly check for fitment.

Yep strongarms work great. Just installed these and work perfect. Very strong, one of them by itself held my hood up no problem but installed 2 just in case.

I use an aluminum tent pole!

Coleman or BUST.

I bought a pair of Ezzy Lift's off eBay. They were under $20 and came with a supposed lifetime warranty. No high expectations but 2 years so far so good.