tackered

*Edited for my lack of reading comprehension.*

What is "poor mileage" to you?

I paid $42 not oem and it took me maybe 20-25 minutes. Its not a critical part so why buy oem?

Because, as mentioned above, there is a possibility that the non-OEM parts might be too far out of spec to use as OEM replacements without me worrying every time someone opens the hood of my car. Read above about the possibility of bowing or bent hoods, and when you consider the cost to fix a hood that has been bent in half, I'd rather spend the extra $150 on OEM struts.

However, the reason I asked for opinions from people who have used the alternatives was to deterime whether or not it would be safe to do so. Thusfar the concesus is that the StrongArms are safe® to use than the Mightylift struts, so I may give them a try.

On topic though, what is the recommended replacement for the hood struts for us Canadians? I'm not willing to pay $300 a pair for the hood struts locally, regardless of how nice the coffee is at Lexus of Edmonton (or my indie shop, for that matter).

Not following you here. Recommended replacement time or make/model of struts? Recommendations vary by those you talk to and cost expectations.

Are Canadian Lexus hoods significantly different from those in the US?

The hoods are not signifigantly different. The hood struts, however, seem to be made of gold. At $150CAD each, I was asking if there were any suitable alternatives, be it from Toyota, or aftermarket. If in fact there are no feasible alternatives, I will of course bite the bullet and buy them here. However, as was mentioned by another before me, while I like to replace as many of the parts with genuine Lexus parts, hood struts are not one of the things that I feel are neccessary.

Gotta say, as much as I love my LS, I'm getting a little restless driving it. I'm always staying as far away from traffic as possible because I don't know when some idiot in his banged up pos is going to slam into me. You can see me coming from a mile away, I'm always at the end of the line of traffic in the slow lane several car lengths behind the car in front. As someone who has spent time on the track, it's really painfull to drive like this. If someone smacks into me, my mint LS would be a write off and I could never find a replacement in the same condition. Almost makes me want to park it.

What I need is something I can let loose in without worrying about who's on the road. Something that can take on anyone wanting to play chicken or cutting me off trying to grab an exit off the freeway from the passing lane.:chairshot: Like an old rusted beat up ford 350 dually. Ok you hammerheads, com'n git some! For now I just go to the gym, put on some gloves and beat the !Removed! out of the heavy bag until my knuckles tell me to stop. There, that feels better ... alrighty, now I can drive home like a little old lady.

I feel your pain, although the Lexus is a bit TOO quiet and smooth for my tastes. I was thinking of getting back into something with a standard transmission, to revive the fun aspect of driving. Crusing down the highway in quiet luxury is satisfying, but alas, it's not rubbing that spot. Given the current global warming, buying a motorcycle might just satisfy that urge.

On topic though, what is the recommended replacement for the hood struts for us Canadians? I'm not willing to pay $300 a pair for the hood struts locally, regardless of how nice the coffee is at Lexus of Edmonton (or my indie shop, for that matter).

I just finished doing this job in January. Timing belt change sums it up the job. Might as well change the cam seals (2) while you're in there.

I just replaced the cracnkshaft oil seal on my 91... I tried to buy the FIPG material from Lexus... At $140 a tube, I said no thank you.

I just finished the timing belt on my 91 and I jammed the flywheel with a set of pliers with soft grip handles. Worked like a charm.

I downloaded all of the repair manual documents and could put it together on a CD if I wanted to make some money.. But it's not legal, or worth my time.

I've got a '92 LS400 and low beams = DRL. The only difference is that when I turn the light switch to on, my dash lights dim.