Hey hey guys, have a question for you. I read somewhere that due to it's lighter weight, a CF hood should not be operated with factory hood struts. Is this true, or a load of crap? I understand that an OE hood is a lot heavier and requires a stronger strut, but I don't think I've ever come across a "special" hood lift for a CF hood. Any ideas or feedback?

 

I have no hood struts on mine. I have heard the same statements and decided not to chance it. CF flexes and I think the pressure of the struts pushing against the weakest part of any hood, the center of long straight panels, may possibly cause damage. And I am not willing to risk damage to that kind of money.

 

I wouldent take the risk.

 

hell, i wouldn't risk it either

 

Like taking a wool sweater outta the wash and stretching it... It's just not gonna be the same.

Dr J

 

what do you guys use instead? no struts or are there actually softer struts out there for the max?

 

Do they make a CF hood for the 5th gens? Whats the weight difference?

 

I use a piece of 1" PVC pipe to hold up the hood when I need it up.

Also thinking, while you are after CF for weight savings (and it looks good) save the weight of the struts too.

 

http://www.andysautosport.com/nissan...n_fiber_hoods/

 

do cf hoods come w holes drilled for struts even?
i bet you could use blown/weakened struts

 

Mine did not come with holes for the struts, or for washer nozzles. I cannot speak for other hoods.

 

My CarbonFX hood has the holes drilled for struts.
I tried to use the struts, but it seemed and felt like I was going to snap the hood in half as I tried to close it for the first time. I swear I heard cracking noises and stopped immediately. Thus, I don't use struts. Hood pins for me. And like someone suggested, it's more weight savings.

Exactly! This works.

 

I had a custom hood prop made for mine. It came off a 97 S10. It was really simple, and it worked really well...plus it looked pretty stock.

 

try some busted hood struts, may not be strong enough for the oem hoods but may be just right for cf.

 

I replaced my hood struts a long time ago with some from autozone. held up the oem hood fine. got my CF hood put on, functions just as great. no problems

 

I use hood struts on mine. No problem

-matt

 

well i think with my refund form uncle sammy i may finally get my CF hood. sweet!

 

were they supposed to be OEM replacement or just a set of crappy low press struts?

 

Yeah, some guys used old worn hood struts that wouldnt hold up the OEM hoods for crap and used those.