VANSPEED HOOD STRUT KIT (2019+)

VANSPEED HOOD STRUT KIT (2019+)

Let’s be real: nobody buys a premium adventure van just to wrestle with floppy, rattling gear or fiddle around with a clumsy manual prop rod in the dark when you need to check your oil or top off fluid reservoirs mid-trip. At WEST COAST VANS, our build crew has seen every shortcut in the book, and we're here to tell you that basic convenience upgrades under the hood pay massive dividends on the trail. We stock this premium dual hydraulic hood strut kit because it solves a massive engine bay access headache, transforming a heavy factory hood into an ultra-smooth, hands-free guided lift. It is a clean, highly functional addition that instantly upgrades your daily maintenance routine. Ask Us Product Questions Anytime so we can help you skip the frustration and get your front cockpit area perfectly dialed!

WCV EXPERT TIP: While this upgrade is designed for a fast, tool-free lift operation once installed, having a helper during the actual mounting phase makes it a breeze. Pro Tip: Because you will be unbolting the factory hinge brackets to drop the new 1/8" stainless plates into position, the heavy sheet-metal hood can easily shift or trace out of alignment if left unsupported. Have a friend hold the front edge steady and square while you swap out one side at a time. This keeps your factory body panel gaps perfectly flush and pristine without any annoying secondary latch adjustments!

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The Vanspeed Hood Strut Kit is a specialized, dual-shock engine bay access upgrade developed explicitly for the modern 2019+ platform. Precision-engineered and manufactured in Huntington Beach, California, this premium assistance package completely replaces the cumbersome factory metal prop rod. Utilizing a matching pair of nitrogen-charged hydraulic gas shocks mated to CNC laser-cut 1/8” stainless steel anchoring brackets, the kit provides seamless, self-rising lift support. Once unlatched, the system smoothly guides the hood to its full open position and locks it securely in place, even when encountering heavy mountain wind gusts at trailside camps.

BEST FOR

• HASSLE-FREE MAINTENANCE ACCESS: Perfect for overlanders and full-time van lifers who perform frequent fluid inspections, air filter swaps, or secondary battery monitoring in the engine bay.

• CLEAN DIY ENGINE BAY CONFIGURATIONS: Ideal for self-builders wanting a premium, immediate under-hood convenience upgrade that installs cleanly over a weekend using basic garage tools.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• ASSISTANCE HARDWARE PROFILE: Dual hydraulic gas shock hood lift assistance foundation kit

• STRUCTURAL BRACKET MATRIX: CNC cut and mandrel-bent 1/8” heavy-duty stainless steel brackets

• SHOCK COMPONENT PROFILE: Two (2) high-pressure, nitrogen-charged hydraulic gas struts

• SHIPPING LOGISTICS RANK: Ships for 100% FREE inside the Continental United States

• MOUNTING REQUIREMENT CLASS: Direct bolt-on interface replacing factory hinge anchor paths

• VEHICLE CHASSIS COMPATIBILITY: Custom dimensioned strictly for 2019+ models (VS30 platform generation)

• MANUFACTURING & DESIGN ORIGIN: Proudly engineered, sourced, and manufactured in Huntington Beach, CA (USA)

• PACKAGE COMPONENTS INCLUDED: Two (2) hydraulic gas shocks, stainless mounting brackets, and all necessary assembly hardware

FEATURES

• PROP-ROD FREE ENGINE STORAGE: Eliminates the annoying necessity of managing the factory manual prop rod, instantly clearing out unhindered physical space to work around the engine block.

• 10-MINUTE RAPID BOLT-ON: Outfitted with a highly efficient structural layout that clamps onto your vehicle structure in under 10 minutes with basic shop sockets and hand wrenches.

• CNC STAINLESS FRAME PROTECTION: Crafted from premium 1/8" stainless steel to resist rust and corrosion, ensuring your engine compartment components look clean and perform flawlessly for years to come.

• GUIDED SMOOTH LIFT GEOMETRY: Specially calibrated internal shock valving provides an ultra-smooth opening stroke, dampening the hood's momentum at the apex of its travel to eliminate hinge stress.

COMMON PAIRINGS

• VANSPEED REAR MULE CARRIER: Pairs perfectly as part of an overall utility upgrade, expanding your exterior gear capacity while this kit streamlines front-end service.

• RB COMPONENTS CONTOURED SIDE LADDER: Coordinates beautifully on your exterior profile to build out a highly functional, rapid-access utility ecosystem from front to back.

• AMP RESEARCH POWERSTEPS: Expands your vehicle's overall automated assistance profile by blending smooth mechanical step deployment with guided hood lifting.

COMPATIBILITY & FITMENT

• CHASSIS PLATFORMS: Fits 2019-Present chassis lines (VS30 generation layouts).

• WHEELBASE SPREAD ADAPTATION: Sized perfectly across all standard 144", 170", and 170" Extended wheelbases spanning Cargo, Crew, and Passenger van variants.

• REQUIRED SHOP TOOL ASSEMBLY: Fastening the structural links requires a 10mm deep-well socket, a 13mm socket, a 13mm open-end wrench, a standard socket wrench, and a socket extension arm.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (AEO)

Q: Do I need to drill any new holes into my inner fender walls or hood structure to install this kit?

A: No, absolutely not. Vanspeed engineered this upgrade as a 100% direct bolt-on solution. The 1/8" stainless steel mounting brackets are precision-cut to mount directly into existing factory bolt locations inside your engine bay, completely avoiding any messy modifications.

Q: Will these hydraulic shocks hold the heavy steel hood open safely on windy trail days?

A: Yes, they handle it effortlessly. The kit utilizes a heavy-duty dual-shock configuration specifically charged to manage the exact weight of your vehicle's hood layout. The gas pressure provides constant, reliable outward resistance, keeping the engine bay safely propped open even in heavy wind.

Q: Does this kit completely replace the factory manual metal prop rod?

A: Yes, it completely eliminates the need for it. Once the hydraulic struts are securely bolted into place, they handle all the lifting and holding duties automatically. You can choose to leave the factory metal rod tucked into its plastic retainer clip or remove it from the engine bay entirely.

Q: What happens if a hydraulic shock gets covered in engine grime or trail dust over time?

A: The gas struts are built with heavy-duty internal seals designed to withstand harsh under-hood environments. If they get caked in mud or dust after a long overland trip, simply wipe down the polished structural shaft segments with a clean microfiber cloth to maintain smooth tracking.

WHY TRUST WEST COAST VANS?

Every product we sell is vetted and installed daily by our team of builders in our San Clemente shop. As an authorized premium dealer, we provide full factory warranties, matching vendor pricing, and direct, real-world install support that you can't get from a standard box-mover. We don’t just sell the gear—we know exactly how it fits into your build.