OK.
Got around to starting this project.
First mod was redrilling the longitudinal brackets that run along the guards. Holes were in the wrong places. Got that sorted. Those hammer bolts I was so concerned about turned out to be just taper screws into nyloc. My only concern is there is that once you fit the mounting bracket for the strut, you may need longer screws. I just ran with the old ones as I don't have anything in the way of 6 point taper screws in my nut and bolts bucket. Just don't overtighten them. They screw into nylocs.
Next issue is a collision between the bonnet bracket and the plastic apron that runs along the bottom of the windscreen when you lower the bonnet. Looks like some surgery is required to trim the supplied bracket. Welder & grinder job.
I've been doing a photo journal and keeping measurements so when I've got it all sorted, I'll post it as fait accomplit if it all comes together.
The struts themselves seem to be able to run up the side of the guards but won't know for sure until all the other dependcies of the installation are resolved. One step at a time....
But for now, hold off on buying the bonnet strut kits that fit earlier models. They don't fit my M21 Trendline and I suspect they won't fit anything else that's current. Unless of course you're some sort of masochist who likes spending late nights in the garage fabricating stuff to make it do what it was advertised to.
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