Flimsy hood mounting points?

[Carlitos_92]

I have a 25 XLT. Are the hoods really aluminum? Mine sounds like plastic when you tap on it.

Yes, aluminum.

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[North Coast Joe]

Another "messing with the original" Wah, wah wha saga.

 

[BlueOval1954]

C'mon now, the hood prop rods are a cheap solution for a cheap vehicle. Ford wouldn't have it any other way. Won't mods void the warranty ?

 

[DScruggs]

The Mabett Hood strut kit would benefit from clearer instructions. If you follow the picture the back of the hood doesn't close properly. You actually have to reverse the brackets.

 

[Tim d]

I recently installed one of the hood strut setups.
Now I’m noticing that the hood on the Maverick is in no way reinforced at the hood hinge mount, so there is a lot of flex when you open the hood.
My concern is that we will start developing cracks or bending at those mounting points.
Has anyone at this point had any cracking or bending?
The only way I can think of to help distribute the load of the hood hanging out there is to make and bond to the hood some reinforcement plates.
The best thing would be if one of the oh so many companies selling these products would produce and sell such a thing.

The best thing would be removing the strut setup. Problem solved.

 

[Blue316]

If I ever get the time I want the tail gate struts. I’d hope you guys can steer me to a two strut set up where it will lower itself.
I had my Terra Trike RAT in and the front two wheels sit right on the bed and tail gate,
I hit a speed bump at 3 mph and the tail gate bounced with a thud.
I want the struts just to dampen that scenario.

If , no when I get to where I need hood struts to lift the feather lite hood I’ll most likely not be driving anymore.
I’ll buy a self driving Tesla.

So many SA’s on this forum. You’d think we were in elementary school. So few adults here.
The point of the struts is not to lift the hood DA’s. It’s to hold the hood up…. Remember, it’s replacing the prop rod!

 

[Brianx]

Agreed, and I feel the same way about the tailgate. Gas-charged struts all have to be replaced eventually too, so they ensure future maintenance cost.

the tailgate is so small and light, I don't get it. before my Maverick, I came off a GMC Sierra that had a big tailgate that dropped like a rock and was a 2 handed closing.

 

[Ponyprez]

Did I get a special hood on my 2023 XLT Lariat? After reading this story I had to go out and try it to see if I missed something, I found no issues of flexing/bending, hood stays open as it should. I also tried slowly closing followed by fast closing with no signs of a problem. I retained the prop rod just in case but like not having to use it.

 

[Cherokee]

the tailgate is so small and light, I don't get it. before my Maverick, I came off a GMC Sierra that had a big tailgate that dropped like a rock and was a 2 handed closing.

Small and light yes but when I got something heavy or bulky in one hand it’s hard for me to lower the gate easily with one hand because of arthritis.
It’s likely to slip and fall.
I want to be able to flip the tailgate handle, pull a few inches and let go.

 

[oysterville]

Just do what you want with your truck, and be willing to accept the results of your actions.

It's that easy.

 

[MYNOMAV]

The redline tuning struts I used were more expensive, but you only have to remove one hood hinge bolt. This means you don't have to mess with the hood alignment. Was worth the extra cost to me. And as someone else stated I use them to support the hood in the raised position. I don't have the prop rod in my way while doing my other mods .

 

[Brianx]

Small and light yes but when I got something heavy or bulky in one hand it’s hard for me to lower the gate easily with one hand because of arthritis.
It’s likely to slip and fall.
I want to be able to flip the tailgate handle, pull a few inches and let go.

Arthritis, I hear you. I used the side of my forearm on the GMC because of that and related crap.

 

[Blue316]

Did I get a special hood on my 2023 XLT Lariat? After reading this story I had to go out and try it to see if I missed something, I found no issues of flexing/bending, hood stays open as it should. I also tried slowly closing followed by fast closing with no signs of a problem. I retained the prop rod just in case but like not having to use it.

Try opening the hood and pull down not enough to make it close but to see if you get flex at the hood to hinge mount.
Mine has enough flex that it makes me nervous, so I am going to remove the struts. I can’t imagine any Mavericks are reinforced at this point, I’d be very surprised to hear that mine is the only one that is so wimpy.

 

[Ponyprez]

I went out and tried it again and although it was almost imperceptible, at the point of most resistance there is a minute amount of flex just in front of the forward most hinge point. I did it a few more times and I could repeat it, it was a bit more pronounced if I pulled hood down off center. On the other side of that comment I must in all fairness state that my hood flexes much more under the force of the air dryer at the automated carwash.

 

[DScruggs]

The best thing would be removing the strut setup. Problem solved.

I wanted the strut for the tailgate only but it wasn't sold like that.

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