Bill, I personally try to source cheaper cross-referenced parts (mainly because of being in the UK) but I will strongly recommend a set of gas struts from one of the vendors. When buying my car, I needed a full set and bought PJ Grady's. http://www.pjgrady.com/lgspec.asp?id=7 They all have the "brake" in the last inch of travel and all function fantastically. I have seen X-reffed struts on a friend's bonnet and in his own words "you need a running jump to close it!" Spend the money on the gas struts, You won't regret it. IMO the money's not that much anyway... Martin #1458 content22207 wrote: > Question #2: Has anyone located source of door struts slightly more > affordable than the big vendors? > > Question #2.5: Will parts house struts crack my rear louvers? They > appear to have way too much resistance?