Rav4gen5 has a Youtube channel and web site that has a lot of great mods for the Rav4.
Here's a link to his hood strut install....

 

You can buy the hood light kits on Amazon, but I'd suggest just buying the switch and led separately. The kit light doesn't last and I added a switch inside the bay to turn it off when working with other light sources.

 

Thanx Guys for what you sent me, im learning more everyday...

What i do need help with is a link or at least length of the LED strip, where to run the wiring, Where to get the power Source from.
When i posted this, i was not sure if Toyota had an under hood light kit, Factory always seems to be better but they dont like to include them anymore.

Ok i went to the website and found the Prop rod Kits there are 3 of them, only 2 are for 21's, anyone have experience with the two makers or recommendation..?

 

I got the hood struts from CarTrimHome. They have lots of other goodies for the RAV4 as well.

 

I like the idea of a light under the hood also. As far as the hood struts I got a set off of Amazon, install was straight forward and they are working well at the moment. Linky

 

Those who did the under Hood Lighting, what length of LED strip did you get and where did you hook up the Electric too...? I see the positive post on the battery has a place that might work but id rather tap somewhere else.

 

Hood struts wear out over time and fail when up which why Toyota doesn't use them.

 

How about a hood rod is cheaper and less weight. It's all about cost!

Personally, as a former auto mechanic, the only struts I've seen fail is after about 10 years or so. And those were extremely rare.

You can't beat the connivence of hood struts. Who wants to hold the weight of the hood while fumbling with getting the hood rod out of hit's holder and getting it up into the proper hole. This is from someone who went thru this more than several times a day, and each time found it annoying as all hell.

For under hood lighting, I just used a 5K 3' LED strip, getting power from the under-hood fuse box using a fuse tap. To control the LED, I'm using a "Ball & Barrel gravity switch" with a 12V relay. Hood has to be more 1/2 way open before the LED comes on. I have a post here with photos with the finished look.

Have a good day.

 

I have never had a rear hatch strut last for more than 5 years. It is "fun" when they just start to fail and hold their position for just a bit, then come slaming shut. I would not want that to happen when I had my head under the hood. Also they can slip in cooler temperatures, only to work fine in warmer temperatures.

What we need is a positive latch mechanism. Open the hood far enough and have it automatically lock in the open position. Then have a release lever to allow it to be closed. No pneumatic tube to fail. No hood rod to align in the proper hole.

 

Sorry for the misinfo on the posting location.

I documented it on my Murano and posted it there, along with a video.

Engine LED Lighting Installed | Nissan Murano Forum

I know it's not a Rav4, but I installed this exact same setup on my wife's '13 Rav4 along with the hood struts.

Here's a pic of her Rav4 with the hood open and lit up. Only other light in the garage is at the rear of the car and a small window. As you can see, it's pretty well lit up. Notice the hood strut also.

Here's where I got the power from, using a fuse tap. I drilled a hole in the side of the engine fuse box, just large enough so that the wire had to be forced thru, thus keeping it moisture tight.

Hope this helps you out. Let me know if you need any help with the wiring for the relay.

Good luck.

Have a good day.