What do you recommend for Hood and Trunk Struts for my 2004 LS430. Should I get the Lexus Factory Struts or an aftermarket brand. Thanks for your help!

 

The Lexus ones seem to always go bad but the aftermarket is a lot stronger so the feeling is different and nowhere near the same. I just didn't want to pay that high price for OEM. It was a safety hazard with trunk and hood as both almost hit my head as the OEM was going bad and had been replaced once before going aftermarket. The OEM go weak slowly but so may the aftermarket don't know yet.

 

I had aftermarket hood struts installed 6/7 years ago for $99 and they are bad now. I'll replace again, no biggie.

Trunk struts are going / weak after 21 years and I'll probably go OE for best results... I think saw them at $56 each online, cheaper than the hood struts.
https://parts.belllexusnorthscottsda...453050031.html

 

Never get the factory ones they are a joke how expensive they are. Just get whatever Rock Auto has. Just remember that the OE do not have ball studs that separate on the hood. So they are needed with the aftermarket, and some, don't include them. They were for me a pita to remove at the fender sides. But once done, in the future, they'll be reused.

 

I fitted some eBay ones and they have lasted well, about 6 years so far.

 

Thanks for all the input!!

 

Lots of threads about this, but the long and short is you probably won't make a mistake. The price for OEM Demark1 states above is very good, it's come down a lot. Pay attention to succession part numbers, but I assume they are still Tokico. I am normally an OEM addict, but they were still over $100 when I needed, so I went with StrongArm for hood and trunk and I'm pleased still after about 5 years.
You have been on a here a long time so you likely know this, but remember that the trunk is not designed to pop open. That's been a big confusion with these. It will only open about a half inch, then it is manual after that. The strut just assures that it won't fall on you, and you can shut it softly.

 

FWIW - I finally replaced the OEM Trunk lift Struts on my dad's 2003 with FCS P/N: 86415 Llifetime WTY) from Rock Auto - Less than $30.00 for the pair - Delivered.
It's been almost a year - working great!
https://www.rockauto.com/
Feel free to use this 5% discount code: 336864535290699425
just type it in the "how did you hear about us?" box

 

I used aftermarket for both hood and trunk. Was a bit of an install surprise for the trunk struts. They actually seemed like they were about 0.020" too long. Was a two man job - one to push the lid open to its absolute max while the other managed to get the rod end on its pin by a fairly aggressive hit with a hard rubber hammer.