VIM or Lisle hood prop

[bsaint]

I need a hood prop for servicing lift supports. I see the Vim one and the Lisle ones. Someone said over time and service use the Lisle lock stopped gripping. Looks like the VIM one uses a type of steel leaf spring type lock. Any suggestions? I am not gonna use a piece of wood lol.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002BC0T6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FMO194/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wild cowboy]

the recent reviews on amazon are much better on the VIM

 

[nomonkeybus]

I have used the Lisle type for over 18yrs with out a problem, and that's every day as a full time tech.

 

[gsingh]

x2, i have the lisle one. hasn't let me down yet.

 

[AndrewV]

The lisle is oem, for the bluepoint one i have.
6yrs on it, still strong.

 

[fleetcomm]

Long before these items were available I would take a pair of vise grip brand pliers to crimp on the hood shock to hold up the hood.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Another vote and use of the Lisle one here.

 

[92integra]

having used both! get the lisle, if you don't need it for dual purpose ie. using on the brake pedal to check the brake lights then maybe this will suit you're need http://www.carid.com/lisle/lisle-hand-tools-35964155.html

have both and love both. the VIM one a tech i worked with had one of those and its **** compared to the lisle.

 

[Bobioz1]

Had the Lisle one. It kept collapsing on me so I whacked it hard against a pole. Then it was a fairly good non adjustable hood prop.

 

[davesnothere]

I've had no problems with the lisle.

 

[K-Dog]

I had the VIM for at least fifteen years. The rubber ends wore out countless times. I finally replaced it with the Lisle. I like the Lisle better because it pack in the tool box a little better.

 

[JBradley500]

If the Lisle one is the same one i've used, it's a nice piece. The ends do pop off though.

 

[devoncoolman]

Have the lisle. Held up well over the years.

 

[srmofo]

I have the lisle one although it did slip from time to time if I didnt make sure the tabs were secured.

 

[Fedwrench]

Are you going to do rear hatch lift supports?

If so, I'd recommend EZ Red's monster prop
http://www.tooltopia.com/ez-red-hh1000.aspx

or their standard hood prop
http://www.tooltopia.com/ez-red-hh40.aspx

I've used mine for more than a few years without issues.

 

[bsaint]

Are you going to do rear hatch lift supports?

If so, I'd recommend EZ Red's monster prop
http://www.tooltopia.com/ez-red-hh1000.aspx

or their standard hood prop
http://www.tooltopia.com/ez-red-hh40.aspx

I've used mine for more than a few years without issues.

Its actually exactly what I need it for.

 

[mykvr6]

I have a blue point, which I guess someone said is the Lisle. I've had it for quite awhile. A touch over ten years I think. It works great. It's currently holding up my snap on tool box lid because the struts are dead lol go figure

 

[AEAdam]

Bumping this thread. Just finished swapping the alternator on my daughter’s Honda CR-V.

Reason for the zombie post: I need a hood prop. Just so happens I found a piece of plastic conduit that fit perfectly. Whacking my noggin repeated on a hood propped into a position that is downright unamerican would have made this job really tough.

Shopping for a hood prop. Found this antique thread. Asking if there are any better options out there.

BTW, for those of you playing along in the AEAdam home edition, you win if you realized, yes, all 3 of my cars needed engine work this week! In the past 7 days I:

• Swapped the throttle body on my DD F150
• Found a radiator hose leak on my wife’s 2014 Dodge Durango while replacing the passenger side blend door actuator gear (I smelled the antifreeze)
• Had to jump my daughters CRV in a Target parking lot, later diagnosing the alternator which I just now finished.

This has been a sh!t happens week, so I’m buying myself a tool that will make my life a little easier next time.

Let me know your thoughts. Leaning toward the Lisle.

Oh here’s a bonus: while I had the CRV I recovered my wife’s lost Apple earbud. Step one, remove drivers seat CAREFULLY so as not to set off airbag.


Step 2 air pod could have rolled anywhere under the carpet. So I started removing it. Luckily, it was safely protected by a McDonald’s french fry!

 

[rust in the eye]

Oh here’s a bonus: while I had the CRV I recovered my wife’s lost Apple earbud. Step one, remove drivers seat CAREFULLY so as not to set off airbag.


Step 2 air pod could have rolled anywhere under the carpet. So I started removing it. Luckily, it was safely protected by a McDonald’s french fry!

That's disgusting

 

[3baygarage]

The fry that doesn't die.

 

[rsanter]

You need one for replacing the bad gas shocks?
How often are you going to use it?

I have a vise grip with smooth V jaws that you clamp on the bad gas shock.
There is no prop rod in my way working on the engine and if I need to change the gas shock I can do one at a time with the vise grip

If you really need one once in a while, how about buying the extendable paint pole

 

[AJHD]

I've had the Lisle version, rebranded as BluePoint, for several years. Heavily used. Customer vehicles with bad hood struts were an every day occurrence. It's one of the first things I bought as a mechanic.

They're handy for other things too, like brake pedals, trunks, doors, etc.

 

[AEAdam]

You need one for replacing the bad gas shocks?
How often are you going to use it?

I have a vise grip with smooth V jaws that you clamp on the bad gas shock.
There is no prop rod in my way working on the engine and if I need to change the gas shock I can do one at a time with the vise grip

If you really need one once in a while, how about buying the extendable paint pole

No I want the extra height while doing work. That car needs a battery so I’ll take a picture when it comes back.

 

[Wrench97]

Isn't their a second cut out in the hood farther down closer to the cowl to place the prop in?

I've had the lisle unit for over 20 years no issues other then the rubber end caps wearing out.

 

[AEAdam]

Isn't their a second cut out in the hood farther down closer to the cowl to place the prop in?

I've had the lisle unit for over 20 years no issues other then the rubber end caps wearing out.

No, not that I could figure out. The hood strut doesn't really move front to back, only side to side. I propped the hood so that it was almost touching the windshield. It was actually quite nice. Also let's more light in. I jacked it up so (not just for this) but consequently I didn't have to bend over so far, which was a little easier for me.

 

[milky2k]

I took a Harbor Freight load bar and cut it down a little to use as a hood prop, brake pedal presser, lift gate support, and so on. It was much cheaper back when I bought but I’m sure it can be had for less than the $24 they are asking for today.

https://www.harborfreight.com/ratcheting-cargo-bar-96811.html