[RobertJT]

It’s a shame the gas US built/gas Sorentos have a prop rod. The Hybrids have two struts. So if you see photos from the US reviews of them having struts it’s the US version of the Sorento hybrid.

I did some research and all the pictures of cars with struts are Sorento's from overseas. I was just at a dealer and saw examples of all the trims and they all have push rods. I used a picture of a car in Australia with a diesel. We of coarse we in American can't have that either.

 

[wreckem08]

I did some research and all the pictures of cars with struts are Sorento's from overseas. I was just at a dealer and saw examples of all the trims and they all have push rods. I used a picture of a car in Australia with a diesel. We of coarse we in American can't have that either.

The gassers yes. Hybrids no. All hybrids world wide are imported off the Korean manufacturing lines.

This is my Sorento EX Hybrid.

 

[RobertJT]

The gassers yes. Hybrids no. All hybrids world wide are imported off the Korean manufacturing lines. This is my Sorento EX Hybrid.

View attachment 117475

Looks very nice. Good luck with it. The dealers in my area have not got any hybrids in yet. The engine compartment look like a different layout.

layout

 

[68wooley]

Looks very nice. Good luck with it. The dealers in my area have not got any hybrids in yet. The engine compartment look like a different layout.

View attachment 117477 layout

Slightly off-topic, but just noticed your car has the usual green ‘Asian’ coolant I’d expect to find in a Kia, whilst mine has pink coolant. Huh.

 

[RobertJT]

I don't know. Mine has the factory coolant. Mine was built in Georgia if that means any thing.

Slightly off-topic, but just noticed your car has the usual green ‘Asian’ coolant I’d expect to find in a Kia, whilst mine has pink coolant. Huh.
View attachment 117479

 

[noshortcuts]

I'm going to do this mod. Thanks for showing it. I might try attaching an L-bracket to the bolt/nut above where you cut the plastic and see if that works to bring a mounting hole down near where you attached in this photo. I'll update if it works.

 

[noshortcuts]

RobertJT, how did you tighten the nut on the lower bolt. I can't see how you'd reach it?

 

[RobertJT]

I removed the black trim. I drilled a hole and attached a piece of sheet metal to reinforce the flimsy steel underneath the trim. With the trim off you have access to the underside of the sheet metal. If you bought the same struts as the ones I used you can unscrew the end off of the shaft. You install the trim. Then once installed you screw the strut back on.

 

[Ohnoitsroman]

I removed the black trim. I drilled a hole and attached a piece of sheet metal to reinforce the flimsy steel underneath the trim. With the trim off you have access to the underside of the sheet metal. If you bought the same struts as the ones I used you can unscrew the end off of the shaft. You install the trim. Then once installed you screw the strut back on.

Any way you could post a step-by-step instruction with pictures and parts?
I feel like this is a Mod that many of us would like to do.
I'm pretty handy with tools, but I get a little nervous when it comes to modifying a brand new vehicle.

 

[RobertJT]

Any way you could post a step-by-step instruction with pictures and parts?
I feel like this is a Mod that many of us would like to do.
I'm pretty handy with tools, but I get a little nervous when it comes to modifying a brand new vehicle.

You and me both. I will post some pictures.

 

[RobertJT]

You and me both. I will post some pictures.

Here are some pictures. I assume your using the struts I found on Ebay. Remove the two fasteners on the trim that are recessed by prying out their respective center pins The center pin of the fastener spreads the back of the fastener apart holding it in place into holes in the sheet metal. The fastener should come loose and out. They are plastic so be easy on them. It's the reverse for assembly.There is two rubber dams extending from the windshield wiper well that swing out of the way. There are tabs at both end off the trim which lock trim under the fender lip and there are two fasteners underneath toward the hinge that pull straight up and out. Then the trim comes off by pulling it away from the fender and up. Once out of the way you can see what I did. I bolted a piece of bar stock to the sheet metal and attached the strut end to it. The cars sheet metal is to thin by itself to support the strut. The position of the strut mounting hole was determined buy raising the hood and gently feeling where the stops are reached then proping up the hood to just below that position. While the cylinder is attached to the hole in the hood hinge swing the lower piston and mark where the hole for the stud should be. Take into account where the strut ends up when the hood is closed. Fully extended the strut should be holding the hood as high as possible without being up against the mechanical limits of the sheet metal other wise you will start bending stuff. Then drill the three holes needed for the strut and the two bolts into your brand new Sorento's sheet metal. I like to put tubing over my drill to limit the travel so the entire drill bit does not come through the side of the fender of my brand new car. Sweating yet? The ball end can be unscrewed from the strut making assembly a lot easier. I cut away from the trim to accommodate the strut mount.You will need 8 x 8mm nuts which I bought at a local Autozone. The four other bolts were also 8mm but you could used 1/4-20's. Autozone sold a package of 8 x 8mm bolts with matching nuts. I used all the nuts and 4 of the bolts. I also bought a package or 8mm washers and lock washers. There are nuts, washers, lock washers on all the bolts and two washers on the strut stud mounts to space the strut far enough away so that it does not rub against the trim. The cylinder end is mounted towards the hood and the piston end is toward the body. This is recommended by the manufacturer since there is an oil that preserves the seals that you want to settle where the piston exits the cylinder. Then once everything is in place you can reassemble the strut ends. Good luck with it.

 

[RobertJT]

Here are some pictures. I assume your using the struts I found on Ebay. Remove the two fasteners on the trim that are recessed by prying out their respective center pins The center pin of the fastener spreads the back of the fastener apart holding it in place into holes in the sheet metal. The fastener should come loose and out. They are plastic so be easy on them. It's the reverse for assembly.There is two rubber dams extending from the windshield wiper well that swing out of the way. There are tabs at both end off the trim which lock trim under the fender lip and there are two fasteners underneath toward the hinge that pull straight up and out. Then the trim comes off by pulling it away from the fender and up. Once out of the way you can see what I did. I bolted a piece of bar stock to the sheet metal and attached the strut end to it. The cars sheet metal is to thin by itself to support the strut. The position of the strut mounting hole was determined buy raising the hood and gently feeling where the stops are reached then proping up the hood to just below that position. While the cylinder is attached to the hole in the hood hinge swing the lower piston and mark where the hole for the stud should be. Take into account where the strut ends up when the hood is closed. Fully extended the strut should be holding the hood as high as possible without being up against the mechanical limits of the sheet metal other wise you will start bending stuff. Then drill the three holes needed for the strut and the two bolts into your brand new Sorento's sheet metal. I like to put tubing over my drill to limit the travel so the entire drill bit does not come through the side of the fender of my brand new car. Sweating yet? The ball end can be unscrewed from the strut making assembly a lot easier. I cut away from the trim to accommodate the strut mount.You will need 8 x 8mm nuts which I bought at a local Autozone. The four other bolts were also 8mm but you could used 1/4-20's. Autozone sold a package of 8 x 8mm bolts with matching nuts. I used all the nuts and 4 of the bolts. I also bought a package or 8mm washers and lock washers. There are nuts, washers, lock washers on all the bolts and two washers on the strut stud mounts to space the strut far enough away so that it does not rub against the trim. The cylinder end is mounted towards the hood and the piston end is toward the body. This is recommended by the manufacturer since there is an oil that preserves the seals that you want to settle where the piston exits the cylinder. Then once everything is in place you can reassemble the strut ends. Good luck with it.

View attachment 117752 View attachment 117753 View attachment 117754 View attachment 117755 View attachment 117757 View attachment 117756

Another gentleman did one using the same $15 struts from Ebay. If you are mechanically inclined and don't mind drilling some holes it adds a nice touch and gives you room to work under the hood. maybe we will shame them into putting them back on all the trims.

 

[ron1004]

Did you post a link?

2x Front Hood Lift Supports Shocks Struts for Toyota Land Cruiser Lexus LX470 | eBay

Lexus LX470 1998-2007 Front Hood. Toyota Land Cruiser 1998-2007 Front Hood. Lift Supports. Location Front Hood. Item Type: Lift Support. Item Type Lift Support. Quench-Polish-Quench Technology makes lift support more anti-corrosion and more durable.

www.ebay.com

 

[MKIVjunkie]

Did you install the struts on one side or both?


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[noshortcuts]

Did you install the struts on one side or both?


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Both sides. One side MAY lift fine but it's a heavy wind-sail of a hood and the struts are fairly small.

 

[MKIVjunkie]

Both sides. One side MAY lift fine but it's a heavy wind-sail of a hood and the struts are fairly small.

Thank you. I was very surprised to see the kickstand hood support in a newer vehicle. And yes that hood is pretty heavy. My 17 yr old VW has hood struts so like WTF Kia? Lol.


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[noshortcuts]

Did you post a link?

Got mine on Amazon, same ones likely,

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07F3FF3XS/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_track_package_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Kaiser]

And yes that hood is pretty heavy.

So heavy, in fact, that I have to wonder whether it's even aluminum, which would make it the first car I've had in 20 years that doesn't have an aluminum hood.

I need to check today with a magnet. EDIT: Yep, steel. Wow.

 

[RobertJT]

Did you install the struts on one side or both?


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Yes both sides

 

[B-real]

Hood appears to be steel. Was the previous gen hood aluminum? Never checked on my ‘17