The strut issue could be from being slightly to long or to stiff, at the angle when closed it would seem it might be to long.
Can you drill a new hole lower on the mounting bracket at the strut tower?
Or, is the bracket reversible, flip it over?
It looks like there is a bit more room on the hood end to move it further forward as well.
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DAVE, nice use of a factory style tow hook
Did you have fun making the hole in the bumper?
I toasted a lot of bits drilling my strap bolt holes so not many to sharpen, add to the pile at least, must be 3 sets worth of bits as never get around to it
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