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 Post subject: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:33 pm 
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You asked for it, and now I'm giving you a write up.... But first, a little history........

As most of you know, the KJ came stock with hood struts. Starting in 2007 with the Dodge Nitro, the standard hood struts were removed probably due to cost cutting. However, the KA Nitro in 2007 came with the ball studs already welded to the uni-body since the KJ, KA, and KK share the same basic platform.

Over an another forum that is dedicated to the KA, a few select members got together and came up with a mounting system for the hood side of the mod since the 2007 KA's came stock with them. Now, the new mounting system was great for the 07's, but the 08's and 09's were left with out a way to connect the strut to the uni-body with out welding. Once again, the great minds got together and found this cool little adapter :twisted: ......



What to order



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You will also need 2x of a 10MMx1.50 X 25mm long



If you don't want to uses these ball studs, you can purchase the factory brackets from the dealer.



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Tools Needed



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First, lift your hood and place the prop rod in to the slot. Next, using a 13mm socket, remove ONLY the top nut off of the stud on the hood hinge



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Now, take 2 of your ball studs adapter plates and enlarge the hole using a 11/32nds drill bit. Once you have enlarged the middle hole, use a 1/4th drill bit to create a pilot hole off to the side so you can drill a second 11/32nds sized hole. The hole needs to be off set so you can slide it over the stud on the hood.



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Once the hole has been drilled out, place it over the stud and re-install the nut on the hood stud



Now, move down to the Inner fender well and place the other ball studs in front of the detent in the pinch weld. At this point, you have 2 choices.
1. Place the ball stud behind the detent, which will raise the total open height of the hood 1.5 inches, (This is what I did)or
2. place the ball stud over the detent and keep the height the same.

Once you chose the site of the ball stud, clamp the plate to the pinch weld on both sides with either C clamps or Vise grips. Insert the 5/16ths drill bit in to your drill and drill through the uni-body.




!!!WARNING!!!

WATCH WHERE YOU DRILL!!! ON THE PASSANGER SIDE, ONE OF THE A/C LINES IS ROUTED BELOW THE PINCH WELD AND THERE IS A WIRE HARNESS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IF NEEDED, PLACE EITHER A PIECE OF METAL OR WOOD BELOW THE UNI-BODY TO PROTECT THESE ITEMS!!!




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Once the hole has been drilled out, insert the 10mm bolt through the hole and bolt her down. The final step is to snap the strut over the ball stud. You may have to use your back or a second person to lift the hood up so you can install the strut.


All that is left now is to enjoy the final product :P




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All parts can be purchased from Ameritool Manufacturing, LLC

Quantity are as followed,
4x BR-212-32 @ $3.75 each http://www.ameritoolmfg.com/catalog.asp?prodid=509625

2x ML14-50 or 60 @ $23.28 each http://www.ameritoolmfg.com/catalog.asp?prodid=511088

The 50 and 60 refer to the max lifting force. If you live in a cold climate, go with the 60's

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Last edited by Diggerfreek on Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:47 pm 
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very nice and informative writeup
thanks digger!
One question though:
what is the difference between the OEM adapter and the ones you used? do factory brackets install over existing holes or nor?

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:55 pm 
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SilverKK09 wrote:
very nice and informative writeup
thanks digger!
One question though:
what is the difference between the OEM adapter and the ones you used? do factory brackets install over existing holes or nor?


The factory bracket was originally welded in. You could purchase the bracket, but it would be harder and cost more to use it. I think list on it was $7 dollars

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Jet Stage 2 - RL Gecko Basket Rack - Custom Winch Bumper - Recon 10.5K Winch
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:43 am 
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woo hooo

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:49 am 
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how does it hold digger?... does it catch the hood and lift it when you start bringing up the hood?

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:04 am 
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Jeepin_it_real wrote:
how does it hold digger?... does it catch the hood and lift it when you start bringing up the hood?


Yep, it will open by it self once it is opened maybe 1/4th of the way...

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OEM & Custom Skids - Factory Tow Package - Rock Lizard Skink Super Sliders
Prototype JBA 4 Inch Lift - JBA UCA's - Flowmaster Super 44 OR - Whacked Resonator
Jet Stage 2 - RL Gecko Basket Rack - Custom Winch Bumper - Recon 10.5K Winch
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:05 am 
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Great write up.

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:32 am 
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This is very nice.

Great work...
But where is the animal approved stamp?

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PostPosted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:58 pm 
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Good mod. Nicely done Digger.

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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:16 pm 
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Hi Digger, I see the last post is from 09 soooo will this all still work on a 2012 liberty.

Thanks ahead

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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:25 pm 
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Yup, the 08-12's are exactly the same design.

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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:14 pm 
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lfhoward wrote:
Yup, the 08-12's are exactly the same design.


Very cool thanks,

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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 8:50 pm 
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Anyone know where to order this stuff needed now?


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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 10:23 pm 
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jcjeepkk wrote:
Anyone know where to order this stuff needed now?


http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f292/hoo ... d-2236193/
Here is the one from Jeepforum.
If you go to the second page of the thread, second post down, it has the links for the stuff you need.


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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 8:58 am 
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jcjeepkk wrote:
Anyone know where to order this stuff needed now?

Here is a kit you can buy with all of the parts for $69. Since it's Labor Day today, I bet you could find a sale coupon and get it for less. http://www.jeep4x4center.com/hoodift-system-war905020.html

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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 2:51 pm 
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lfhoward wrote:
jcjeepkk wrote:
Anyone know where to order this stuff needed now?

Here is a kit you can buy with all of the parts for $69. Since it's Labor Day today, I bet you could find a sale coupon and get it for less. http://www.jeep4x4center.com/hoodift-system-war905020.html


Has anyone actually used this kit? When i was looking to get it someone was saying it's not the best and that they're weaker struts.

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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 3:23 pm 
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nFodzy wrote:
lfhoward wrote:
jcjeepkk wrote:
Anyone know where to order this stuff needed now?

Here is a kit you can buy with all of the parts for $69. Since it's Labor Day today, I bet you could find a sale coupon and get it for less. http://www.jeep4x4center.com/hoodift-system-war905020.html


Has anyone actually used this kit? When i was looking to get it someone was saying it's not the best and that they're weaker struts.

I've had that kit on my KK for the last year and a half. Easy to install and still works great.

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M116A3 Trailer build thread: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=77997


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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 5:15 pm 
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Has anyone actually used this kit? When i was looking to get it someone was saying it's not the best and that they're weaker struts.[/quote]
I've had that kit on my KK for the last year and a half. Easy to install and still works great.[/quote]

Oh alright. Did it say on the strut how much weight it can handle?

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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:48 pm 
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No poundage is listed on the struts, but there is a phone number in case you need to re-order. They might know.
1-800-579-3024

The struts open the hood on their own once you get it started. The hood takes some force to close from the full up position. I would not be worried about it closing on its own due to a wind gust. Very sturdy.

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M116A3 Trailer build thread: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=77997


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 Post subject: Re: HOW TO: Hood Strut Mod
PostPosted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 8:16 pm 
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only thing cooler is if it popped all the way up as soon as you pulled the hood latch inside :)

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