Hood struts

[freshtiva]

Ive seen some people put hydraulic struts like the ones below in the engine bay for lifting the hood. I cant seem to find any pics now. Does any one who has done this have some how to tips ? I know elcamino1 had this set up but I didn't pay close enough attention when I saw it.

[freshtiva]

Found a pic

[freshtiva]

Never mind, Ill figure it out. See prototype below. I didn't have to drill any holes I just used the existing hole from where the old hood rod clamp down was. Few kinks yet but it works pretty good. Just need to find the right hardware items which are probably in the shed somewhere if I can dig them out.

[packrat427]

Marcus ..That is great !!!

So you did not fab a bracket , just bolted to the inner fender and the hood .

[25Horseplay]

Nice, what are the struts from?

[freshtiva]

Marcus ..That is great !!!

So you did not fab a bracket , just bolted to the inner fender and the hood .

Well I fabbed a couple of brackets, then tossed them. It it more about spacers and alignment. It has to clear the inside of the engine bay. Special bolts fabbed at the hood hinges and fender to hold hinge tight but let strut pivot freely. Elcamino1 sent me a couple of struts so I'm not sure what they came off of. I think these two are off of a Toyota celica hatch ??? There was about 1/2 inch of slush (snow/rain) on the hood so it was a little heavier then it will be.

[elcamino1]

^The struts I sent you came off of a Saab not sure what year,I find out tomorrow.

[threephin]

I think I might use the hatch struts from my parts car to rig something like this up...

[monkeyracing]

Here's how I did it. I think the strut is from the hatch of a 323, and the ball pin....probably the same car.

[Maxtiva]

^ Cool !!! I think I will do this on my car.

[monkeyracing]

I think the only tricky bits were drilling and tapping the hole for the ballstud, and the bracket that's on the bottom end was reversed, I think.

Jim

[freshtiva]

Installed That turned out to be a lot trickier than I expected. I tried four different ways. The first three attempts ( strut attached to the hinge bolts ) caused the back of the hood to be raised a little above the fenders and cowling when the hood was closed no matter how I adjusted them. This way works excellent. Its a little over sprung and about wiped the smile off of my face the first time I raised it. You want to keep your chin out of the way and keep your hand on the hood when you raise it but it would stay open in a gale force wind. Very cool, I like it ! If I catch anyone sitting on my hood I can just pull the release and flip them off the car.

[Damkid]

Looks good!!!!

[packrat427]

Installed about wiped the smile off of my face the first time I raised it.
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Marcus .. just lost it , I am glad you did not get it in the chinny chin chin .

Man that is FUNNY

[Gforcefd]

THey should make this post a sticky you all did it slightly different, and they all look great!