How to: QuickLIFT Hood Struts (2005+ Focus)
There are two kits HoodQuickLIFT and HoodQuickLIFT Elite, but the '05+ focus only comes in the "Elite" (Polished) kit.
Purchased from a fellow RPS member (Ranger Site); "underdog", at http://underdog-performance.com
You know that 2005+ prop-rod sux. It's an annoyance, it's ugly and it's not exactly easy to use. Well, this kit gets rid of it (or you can leave it for emergencies).
Click here for the "Vendor review"
I won't comment on the procedures, since they are all there, I'll just point out some little observations:
Layout all the tools you'll need to be sure you have everything. I couldn't find my center punch (Wife steals it for craft work), so I used a roofing nail. Notice the small white cap on the install guide, I used the end of the shipping tube to keep the rivets from rolling and the strut locking clips from running away.
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First thing you notice, is there is just 1 hood strut, why? Well, the passenger side has the washer reservoir in the way!
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Next thing you will notice is (on the Mexican Cars at least), there is a foam gasket in the way. I removed it or you can slide it forward, out of the way. Either way, don't toss it, we'll use it again later.
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Make sure you get the #11 drill bit, my local hardware store had it for $3, and it made short work of the project with the rivets needing just the slightest wiggle to fit snugly.
Pay VERY close attention to the part about wrapping tape on the drill bit. Personally, I would invest a couple bucks in a drill stop or some other collar to act as a positive stop. Being concerned about over-drilling, I did the lower mounts first, I punched right through the tape on the very first hole. Take it easy, let the NEW drill bit do the work!
The directions state that the ball should face out and be centered between the bumps, but MAKE SURE you leave enough room to install the ball end of the strut!! I double checked it with the strut end before drilling.
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Here is another angle showing the rag I used between the body and the rivet gun. I like to "Sneak up" on the rivet by taking little bites instead of one long shot at it. This seems to reduce the violence of the pop and that means less risk to your precious paint!
![]()
There is a remark about using matching color paint to fill the holes you drill, but I decided to use RTV Silicone instead, I coated the hole and the rivet. Once one side is snug (don't pop it yet!), I marked and center punched the next hole (it was off from the first attempt). I swung the bracket out enough to clear, drilled and RTV'd the second hole and rivet. Once the second rivet was snugged, I set both rivets, wiped the excess RTV off and reinstalled the seal.
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Same with the top....
![]()
Here is a shot of the rivet gun being backed off to "sneak up" on the breaking point:
![]()
Installing the hood strut is trickey. It has to come in at a 90 degree angle to the base, so you have to swing it out, away from the hood. The top end MUST be done first...
![]()
Be sure to install the clips!
Then set the botton of the strut, install the clips and you're done!
![]()
One more to show off the K&N AirCharger...
![]()
Sweet!!
All text and photos are the property of RoguePerformance (Me) and are not to be reused without my written permission, thanks!
There are two kits HoodQuickLIFT and HoodQuickLIFT Elite, but the '05+ focus only comes in the "Elite" (Polished) kit.
Purchased from a fellow RPS member (Ranger Site); "underdog", at http://underdog-performance.com
You know that 2005+ prop-rod sux. It's an annoyance, it's ugly and it's not exactly easy to use. Well, this kit gets rid of it (or you can leave it for emergencies).
Click here for the "Vendor review"
I won't comment on the procedures, since they are all there, I'll just point out some little observations:
Layout all the tools you'll need to be sure you have everything. I couldn't find my center punch (Wife steals it for craft work), so I used a roofing nail. Notice the small white cap on the install guide, I used the end of the shipping tube to keep the rivets from rolling and the strut locking clips from running away.
First thing you notice, is there is just 1 hood strut, why? Well, the passenger side has the washer reservoir in the way!
Next thing you will notice is (on the Mexican Cars at least), there is a foam gasket in the way. I removed it or you can slide it forward, out of the way. Either way, don't toss it, we'll use it again later.
Make sure you get the #11 drill bit, my local hardware store had it for $3, and it made short work of the project with the rivets needing just the slightest wiggle to fit snugly.
Pay VERY close attention to the part about wrapping tape on the drill bit. Personally, I would invest a couple bucks in a drill stop or some other collar to act as a positive stop. Being concerned about over-drilling, I did the lower mounts first, I punched right through the tape on the very first hole. Take it easy, let the NEW drill bit do the work!
The directions state that the ball should face out and be centered between the bumps, but MAKE SURE you leave enough room to install the ball end of the strut!! I double checked it with the strut end before drilling.
Here is another angle showing the rag I used between the body and the rivet gun. I like to "Sneak up" on the rivet by taking little bites instead of one long shot at it. This seems to reduce the violence of the pop and that means less risk to your precious paint!
There is a remark about using matching color paint to fill the holes you drill, but I decided to use RTV Silicone instead, I coated the hole and the rivet. Once one side is snug (don't pop it yet!), I marked and center punched the next hole (it was off from the first attempt). I swung the bracket out enough to clear, drilled and RTV'd the second hole and rivet. Once the second rivet was snugged, I set both rivets, wiped the excess RTV off and reinstalled the seal.
Same with the top....
Here is a shot of the rivet gun being backed off to "sneak up" on the breaking point:
Installing the hood strut is trickey. It has to come in at a 90 degree angle to the base, so you have to swing it out, away from the hood. The top end MUST be done first...
Be sure to install the clips!
Then set the botton of the strut, install the clips and you're done!
One more to show off the K&N AirCharger...
Sweet!!
All text and photos are the property of RoguePerformance (Me) and are not to be reused without my written permission, thanks!
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