Sorry for being so sluggish with my response gil,
I work at the bookstore at Boise State University, and we are opening a new store across town and I am caught up in all of it.. I measured from the point you suggested, as well as other spots in the immediate area. The compressed length of the struts that we have are about an inch too long to fit pretty much anywhere in the area, although, i think it would lift the hood from the closed position in that spot.. Good idea! One spot I have also considered is on the inside of the fender just behind the headlight. That way the strut would be perpendicular to the hood when the hood is closed. As far as i can tell that mounting point is much closer to what the manufacture recommends..
P.S.- Thanks for the complements!! They really help keep me motivated when I get overwhelmed!!
Jason