WHY DIDN'T THESE COME STOCK - Redline Tuning Hood Struts on The Ranger Raptor

[torquemada0911]

I’ve put hood struts on pretty much every vehicle I’ve owned, so this was one was obviously going to make its way on the truck too. For around $100, it’s just one of those upgrades that feels like a no-brainer.

I went with the Redline Tuning hood strut kit for the 2024 Ranger

If you watch my video and check the product page you’ll get the full rundown, but here’s what stood out to me:

• Really straightforward install, took maybe 20 minutes (if that)
• Made in America
• Struts are tuned for the truck, so no excessive stress on the aluminum hood
• 4–5 year warranty (depending on the version you get)
• Hood opens about 4.5" higher than the stock prop rod

No more dealing with the prop rod and it just feels cleaner and more modern. Small mod, but makes a big impact.

I have a pair on my ‘25 XL..they’re awesome.

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[hand-filer]

I have, it still shuts a bit harder than I’d like

The gas springs are way too strong for the application. I complained to Redline after installing mine.
They were nice enough to send me a new pair of gas springs that were a little weaker. They work much better now. I'm surprised more people don't complain about this.

 

[adrouin64]

The gas springs are way too strong for the application. I complained to Redline after installing mine.
They were nice enough to send me a new pair of gas springs that were a little weaker. They work much better now. I'm surprised more people don't complain about this.

That’s surprising, the struts didn’t feel to strong at all to me.

it’s the latch itself I have an issue with.

 

[hand-filer]

That’s surprising, the struts didn’t feel to strong at all to me.

it’s the latch itself I have an issue with.

Maybe they revised the struts after my complaint. To their credit, they sent the replacement struts at their expense.
I had to adjust the latch. Without struts the hood will latch from a 1 foot drop.

 

[NM Mike]

If ford would have installed them, it would have been 250 bucks (just guessing). For 100 and 20 minutes of my time, I’m ok with installing them myself.

 

[skytrucker]

Same. First thought was why didn’t they come stock?! They’re great, I agree with the harder hood closure now though, @hand-filer how did you adjust the latch??

 

[RRXLT]

I know I’m in the minority here. When I’m done working under the hood, I would rather just drop it than touch the top of my hood with my grimy hands, but that’s just me.

 

[hand-filer]

Same. First thought was why didn’t they come stock?! They’re great, I agree with the harder hood closure now though, @hand-filer how did you adjust the latch??

There is a TSB on the procedure that's in a thread here going back about a year and a half.
Basically I adjusted the latch upwards by about 3-4mm.
Found it:
https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/hood-closing-very-hard-to-do.27114/post-390520

 

[hand-filer]

I know I’m in the minority here. When I’m done working under the hood, I would rather just drop it than touch the top of my hood with my grimy hands, but that’s just me.

Include me in the minority.
Hoods are not always free of dust and grime and that will eventually leave marks in the paint from closing.
My other vehicles that came with hood struts were able to be closed by tugging on the latch keeper. No need to push down on the hood.
I'm seriously considering removing the struts.

 

[RonM_TX]

The gas springs are way too strong for the application. I complained to Redline after installing mine.
They were nice enough to send me a new pair of gas springs that were a little weaker. They work much better now. I'm surprised more people don't complain about this.

I don't open my hood very often so them being a bit strong is not an issue

 

[av8r]

I don't get the hype. The strut works fine. I spent the $100 on beer.

 

[RonM_TX]

I don't get the hype. The strut works fine. I spent the $100 on beer.

Come on man, we can't leave it stock. We gotta make it better.
Our much less expensive 4RUNNER came with struts from the factory. So I didn't want to deal with hood prop any longer. Also my struts will still be doing their thing long after your beer has gone down the drain. Just saying!

 

[av8r]

Come on man, we can't leave it stock. We gotta make it better.
Our much less expensive 4RUNNER came with struts from the factory. So I didn't want to deal with hood prop any longer. Also my struts will still be doing their thing long after your beer has gone down the drain. Just saying!

I get it. It's not a truck, it's an accessory platform.

 

[Speed]

All about the benjamins….

 

[adrouin64]

I know I’m in the minority here. When I’m done working under the hood, I would rather just drop it than touch the top of my hood with my grimy hands, but that’s just me.

Typically if I’m doing anything too grimly I’m wearing gloves anyway so that’s not really an issue for me

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