Gas Hood Struts in 15 Minutes

[1990new]

With two mine could kick a fifty yard field goal.

Were yours the 15 inch ones mounted at the middle fender bolt and the top hood hinge bolt?
One of these that I installed will hold the hood up after you push it almost all the way up and you could probably do OK with one,
but with both, they will push the hood up after you raise it about 6 inches but the hood goes up smoothly with no kick.
Yours must have been at a much higher pressure than the 40 pound ones that I ordered. (either that or these really don't have 40 pounds of force).

Here is a link to a Video of how it works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM2zE...ature=youtu.be


Here is a link to pictures
https://picasaweb.google.com/1050521...eat=directlink

(See first post for part numbers and source specifics.)

[bravekozak]

I already have my tracking number. Looking forward to picking them up and mailing out some Four Green stuff next week.

[1990new]

I already have my tracking number. Looking forward to picking them up and mailing out some Four Green stuff next week.

Sorry I didn't find this sooner.. might have saved you a little.


Good news. I think I may have found a better deal on the struts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2ea-15-REP-SPD-2125-60-Truck-Top-Door-Window-Lift-Nitro-Prop-Strut-Spring-Arm-/390567991698?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Acc essories&vxp=mtr&hash=item5aefaa9992

23.99 for two Plus 9.90 shipping.

Looks like the M6 Ball studs are higher here though. (unless you buy 20 at at time).

These will probably work if anyone wants to check them out (15" uncompressed/ 9" compressed).
And since there are 60 pounds force, you definitely would only need one.

Just passing the info along, I don't need any more now.
Since I did not order these, I cannot vouch for the quality.

[Advancedynamix]

I used to install hood struts on all my VW's about a decade ago. I always used 2, but the VW hoods are heavier. At car shows I could leave my hood half way open to make people bend over to see what was in there. Also kept people from walking off with whatever was in there. lol.

[1990new]

I used to install hood struts on all my VW's about a decade ago. I always used 2, but the VW hoods are heavier. At car shows I could leave my hood half way open to make people bend over to see what was in there. Also kept people from walking off with whatever was in there. lol.

You still have any of those VW's? I owned several (daily drivers) in my lifetime but only one at a time. The one I kept the longest time was a 1978 Van which I bought new and ended up trading in on my first Festiva in January of 1990.

I decided to go ahead and order two of the struts on ebay. They accepted offer of $22.00 so I got two including shipping for 31.90
I'll check them out and let everyone know how they work.

[bravekozak]

1990, I installed the hood struts in less than 5 minutes. Perfect fit. Perfect compressed length. Perfect extended length for maximum hood opening. Except, mine did not go up as fast as yours did. I don't care. I can mount my cruise vacuum ball now. Thanks for everything. Anyone want to buy a spare Festiva prop rod? $100 including shipping. Better hurry or it goes to High Park Scrap Metals tomorrow morning.

[Safety Guy]

I got my parts in and my Rockauto parts, including two struts, in today.

The Ultra Power #SG404016 looks like it will fit on the fender ball (shaft end), but the hood ball hole is too small for the gas strut end. Probably for an 8mm ball instead of 10mm. I'll have to return them. They were for an F-250 but maybe the wrong year?

Going to junkyard tomorrow to look for used struts for an F-250 and taking one 10mm ball with me for fitting. Hope to report a successful install tomorrow. Oh, and I got the funky blue strut boots too!

For Prettystiva, of course!

Karl

[Bert]

You have my sincerest compliments for submitting this beautifully simple and very inventive post. I have specifically scavenged enough OEM hood props over the years, have cursed often enough over broken ones, and have seen enough cars that have a strategic 'hockey stick shaft' stuffed under the hood for that purpose, to know that you 'hit the nail on the head'.
My hat is off to you Sir

[1990new]

bravekozak deserves credit for the idea, I just did the research and writeup. .Glad the struts are working out.
Karl,
Sorry if I wasn't clear about the F250 ball studs. I only got the ones from the fender. The ball head is 10mm and the threaded bolt is 6mm.
Both the shaft and the piston ends of the struts I ordered fit the 10mm ball and the hood and fender holes take 6mm threaded bolts.
Most all the other threaded bolts I found in the junk yard were 8mm. There were some 6mm on some F150's (and I thing on some early Explorers) but the ball stud riser was too long on these.
The struts that I ordered from a different vendor at a better price will be here early next week. I'll add a post about how they work.
I also order 10 of the 6mm /10mm ball studs from this Ebay vendor http://stores.ebay.com/API-Truck-Cap...p2047675.l2563 for a total
cost of $23.50, but now their listing shows them for $4.29 each but none are available. Look like I got the last of theirs.

[1990new]

Got the gas struts from http://www.ebay.com/itm/2ea-15-REP-S...item5aefaa9992

today. They fit perfectly and are stronger, less expensive that ones from autopartsbylou.com (About $13 cheaper including shipping). Just Offer $22 and the seller will take it.
Thats a little over $31 including shipping for 2. This guy doesn't have the ball studs though.

I also ordered 10 of the ball studs from a different seller. I have six of these left. If anyone needs these I will let them go for $3 each plus shipping. You will need two 2 of these for each strut you install.

Here is a link to a Video of how it works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM2zE...ature=youtu.be


Here is a link to pictures
https://picasaweb.google.com/1050521...eat=directlink

[crazyrog17]

I bought two ball studs from a member here and found an appropriate strut for $20 shipped in the same seller's store.

http://bit.ly/13P4ZGf

I offered $11.10 (to make it an even $20 w/ shipping)

[mikeyjd]

pm me your paypal info 1990. I'll take 4 of the 6mm /10mm ball studs

[mikeyjd]

I bought two ball studs from a member here and found an appropriate strut for $20 shipped in the same seller's store.

http://bit.ly/13P4ZGf

I offered $11.10 (to make it an even $20 w/ shipping)

Order 2 for 32.00 total

[1990new]

All my 6mm ball studs are gone but:

I found them available again on sale for a pack of 6 at this link.
You should be able to get 6 for about $16 which includes shipping. The more you order the cheaper they will be each. I had originally ordered 12 but
those are all used now. If some of you live close enough to each other that you could share on one order that would be good.

This would be a good thing for someone to stock up on and sell them at madness this year. Anyone interested feel free to take the idea and go for it.

http://www.amazon.com/10MM-Ball-threads-Spring-Strut/dp/B004711K9I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375195706&sr=8-1&keywords=M6+10mm+strut+ball+studs

[1990new]

Order 2 for 32.00 total

Great deal... let everyone know where you got them.