[noz34me]

Paid about $51 for the "kit" on ebay; genuine Mopar from a Chrysler dealer.

Didn't have a deep set 13mm socket, so used a 1/2"; it fit perfectly. Screwed the two nipple into the fender, the practically threaded themselves. Only caution I would give is not to over torque them.

The struts are very well marked RH or LH, popped them on the existing hood nipples and the new fender nipples with the heel of my hand.

Total 5 minutes. Probably took as long to find a box knife and open the box they came in as to install.

End result is SOOOOOOO much nicer than the cheap hood prop, and I would bet the 2 struts together weight less than the prop rod! I think I will be removing it.

Bottom line is someone at Dodge should have their butts kicked for ever putting a prop rod on these cars.

 

[OmahaRumble]

I still don't understand the appeal of this mod. What's wrong with the prop rod? Seems to work well, and looks fine. Are the hood struts that much more attractive to warrant buying this mod? Got a pic of it?

 

[High Rise Torker]

You wont have to worry about a strong gust of wind pushing the hood off the rod and dropping it on the rod, OR, pinning it against the windshield causing a trip to the shop is the best reason to have struts me thinkst.

 

[Torred Chally Man]

It was the best $50 I ever spent, worth every penny. Love em!

 

[noz34me]

I still don't understand the appeal of this mod. What's wrong with the prop rod? Seems to work well, and looks fine. Are the hood struts that much more attractive to warrant buying this mod? Got a pic of it?

Nothing "wrong" with the prop rod, just totally out of character on a $35-$40K car.

Here's the appeal, pop the hood, hit the safety catch, lift up, and you're done. With the prop rod, all of the above, then grab the prop rod and fumble around trying to feed the end into the hole in the hood. And, hope the wind doesn't lift the hood off the rod or bad things happen.

 

[Hurst 41]

I still don't understand the appeal of this mod. What's wrong with the prop rod? Seems to work well, and looks fine. Are the hood struts that much more attractive to warrant buying this mod? Got a pic of it?

What's wrong? You have to wrench around it. Hit it and the results can be nasty, at best. They look ugly. They are cheap. Do they work? Mostly. But they can certainly be improved upon.

Here is what they look like (my car):

 

[noz34me]

Just another example of different strokes/different folks. It keeps everything interesting.

 

[Hurst 41]

Just another example of different strokes/different folks. It keeps everything interesting.

Certainly there is no right or wrong with things like these, just personal preference.
BTW, Chrysler now puts struts on "all" Challengers, even the base models.
Sigh.....

 

[Joseph07081]

I just put mine on today.... $56 with tax from the local Dodge dealer. Went on in 5 minutes, it took longer for me to drill out the rivet holding the old prop rod on.

 

[OmahaRumble]

Thank you all for the feedback! I've learned a lot about hood struts, and how they differ from prop rods. Makes sense on many levels, and after seeing the pic, it does look good. Not sure if I'd throw $50 at it yet, but it has it's appeal.

 

[dodgeboy77]

To us older hot rodders, prop rods generally are seen as cheap. They first showed up mostly on econo-boxes and small imports (with a few exceptions). Back in the muscle car days, most hoods were held up by springs. Struts hadn't made an appearance yet.

 

[aarcuda]

To us older hot rodders, prop rods generally are seen as cheap. They first showed up mostly on econo-boxes and small imports (with a few exceptions). Back in the muscle car days, most hoods were held up by springs. Struts hadn't made an appearance yet.

yup. prop rods were used on CHEAP cars. not $30-50k cars. and theyre cheap to buy. Hell at least offer it as an option.....

but to the OP, you cant use a 1/2' socket on a metric hex. Its not correctr. You need to go and get a 13,mm socket IMMEDIATELY and remove and reinstall those studs before its too late..... I did this once back in 78 and I was left stranded.


jk!

 

[Sndsgood]

my only concern would me putting them in and not having located them properly and then going and having to drill another hole. how did you line them up properly?

 

[Rudedog]

My question is, after installing the hood struts, has anyone removed the prop rod from the engine bay?

Pros/cons? - if any?

 

[Rudedog]

my only concern would me putting them in and not having located them properly and then going and having to drill another hole. how did you line them up properly?

There is nothing to line up other then installing the Left side on the left and the right side on the right.

The holes are already pre drilled, you simply have to use a small bit of force to thread the holes. Note do not apply too much force and over tighten them.

 

[crowman17]

Installed my several months ago, did remove the prop rod by drilling out the rivet, looks 100% better! Rod made it look cheap like a Pinto or something else.

Marc

 

[aarcuda]

In 40 years, people will be repopping the prop rod and selling it for $300

 

[noz34me]

yup. prop rods were used on CHEAP cars. not $30-50k cars. and theyre cheap to buy. Hell at least offer it as an option.....

but to the OP, you cant use a 1/2' socket on a metric hex. Its not correctr. You need to go and get a 13,mm socket IMMEDIATELY and remove and reinstall those studs before its too late..... I did this once back in 78 and I was left stranded.

Daggone! Thanks a Lot! After reading this I immediately went to Lowes and bought the 13MM deep socket! I didn't want to take a chance on the hood flying up when I was driving!

Took the studs back out and started them back in only to have them strip out this time. What now? I can't believe this, I've already drilled out my prop rod mountings and removed that. Now I've got to have my wife with me every time I check the oil so she can hold the hood up!

Only kidding- - for those that may not know 13MM is .51" so a 1/2 socket actually fits a little more snug than a 13mm would.

 

[AZ MSCL]

Yup, extremely easy, anyone can do it. Just don't put the right one on upside down (oops).

 

[Hurst 41]

My question is, after installing the hood struts, has anyone removed the prop rod from the engine bay?

Pros/cons? - if any?

Yes, I removed my prop rod and the stow clip. Much cleaner look.