I don't know anything about the LS400's, but why can't I use the '97 LS400 hood struts on the '98, correct me if I'm wrong, but they are the "same" body. Thanks.

 

I faced the same problem Canada. The dealer wanted $400.00 each!
I found that intermittent checks of ebay motors showed availability about once a month.
I just ordered a pair from ebay (buy it now price was $48.00/pr) and had them shipped up.
I installed them yesterday, and although they were noticeably slimmer than the OEM, they perform as required, come with detailed instructions (including what size wrench to use), and only cost a fraction of the dealer price.

Below is the contact information for the vendor I ordered mine from.

Dan McCarthy
949-705-8240
USA

eBay User: momoscaraposa

7995692925
Lexus LS400 Hood Struts/Shocks Lift Supports 1998-2000
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7995692925

 

hi my name is mike owner of 1991 lexus ls 400 i bought them of 50 dollar a pieace i took them off and went to pep boys and got either the same or similar i put them on and its perfect no problem

 

me personally i would just buy a small pair of vice grips and lock the hood up by attaching the vise grips to one of the hood strut piston rods at the full open position. i work for lexus and there are a number of cars that come in with blown hood struts. its just easier to pull out a pair of locks to hold the hoods up.

 

 

I was having the same problem, I didn't want to pat the big bucks to the dealer for hood struts / Gas Springs for my 1996 LS400. I found the perfect company for all the years. "Tuff Support" They had a direct replacement. No modification necessary. Just bolt them on. For my particular car I purchased them from an Ebay seller "partsavenue ( Feedback Score Of 40888 99.6%) ". I paid 29.99 + 5 for shipping. The actual part is: Tuff Support Gas Springs, part #612200.