hood struts

[Mesozoic]

Has anyone used gas struts in place of springs on stock hood hinges? I have a fiberglass hood and the stock springs were too stiff for it. I've experimented with various softer springs but no luck with being able to keep the hood open. I've been thinking that gas struts would be pretty nice.

 

[jeremycfr]

Now there is a problem we don't see often on here. I have the issue of the hinges not holding it up. Right now I use a wood bat. Lol.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Austin Vert]

Hi Mes,

I think using gas struts for your glass hood would probably be your best answer. I recently installed a gas strut for my trunk lid on my'73 vert and it worked very well. The company i delt with locally where i live, is a gas strut specialist, selling all types and sizes of struts. He had the facility to increase or decrease the gas pressure of any strut he sold. That is a big plus to have at your disposal as well.

I have not tuned into or tried to do something like this for the hood myself, but if you could work out the positioning and anchor points where the struts would be placed, and then worked out the travel length of the strut needed, you might come up with a workable solution to your problem.

Greg.

 

[protouringstang73]

Very nice thought, I was thinking about doing the same on mine.. But have'nt found the right gas struts to use yet. I hope some comes with a great idea for this..

 

[71mach1lady]

Pricey and they are not listing the years but Summit has Ring Brothers billet hinges with gas struts for fiberglass hoods here

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rgb-50678-1022nf/overview/make/ford/model/mustang

 

[protouringstang73]

RingBrothers does'nt make hood hinges for our years. I contacted them earlier this year to hear if they were available, but they are not. Eddie Motorsports makes the hinges for our years, but I've heard that they are not the best..

 

[cazsper]

How about a set from a '94-'98 mustang? They are pretty similar in size.

 

[MotoArts]

Planning on a glass hood also. Been toying with the idea of using a Fiero hood prop (retractable style) or NASCAR knee action props.

The Fiero prop looks like it'll work, but is not visually appealing. It "clicks" open, then "unclicks" when you lift to close:

http://www.fierostore.com/Product/Detail.aspx?s=50409U&d=224&p=2

Kinda the inverse with the NASCAR style, look cool but have no clue if they'll work. Several styles available, and an unsprung hinge will be required:

http://racingandperformance.com/kw/hood-hinges-nascar

 

[73StangCoupe]

The Fiero prop looks like it'll work, but is not visually appealing. It "clicks" open, then "unclicks" when you lift to close:

http://www.fierostore.com/Product/Detail.aspx?s=50409U&d=224&p=2

Moto,

I'm kinda liking the fiero hood prop. Have you tried one of these yet. I bet I can make it more visually appealing than the axe handle I currently use. Exactly where would you place it? Please let me know. Thanks...

 

[MotoArts]

No, I haven't. Just doing some brainstorming. It's been almost 20 years since I had my Fiero, and kinda liked some of it's cool ideas. I've been hoarding a pair of seats with the headrest speakers for years .

Did a google search and came up with this:

Might take a bracket or 2, but doesn't look too difficult. If it doesn't work, it's fairly inexpensive and might be adaptable to the trunk since I will be adding a rear spoiler.

 

[73StangCoupe]

No, I haven't. Just doing some brainstorming. It's been almost 20 years since I had my Fiero, and kinda liked some of it's cool ideas. I've been hoarding a pair of seats with the headrest speakers for years .

Did a google search and came up with this:

Might take a bracket or 2, but doesn't look too difficult. If it doesn't work, it's fairly inexpensive and might be adaptable to the trunk since I will be adding a rear spoiler.

Thanks Moto. I may just pick one up to see how it could work. My trunk stays up pretty well but it is pretty heavy with the wing. My hood fell on me once and something poked a pretty sizable hole in my forearm... That hurt for a long while.

Speakers in the headrests... Never heard of that one. Sounds like there could be a Fiero in your future. Thanks again. Good luck.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ordered!

 

[Don C]

You might want to check these out, they are designed to replace the prop rod, so our years aren't shown. However, they include the brackets and are designed for a similar application. The biggest difference is the hinge type and location, most prop rod hoods have the hinges located at the firewall.

http://www.redlinetuning.com

 

[Mesozoic]

You might want to check these out, they are designed to replace the prop rod, so our years aren't shown. However, they include the brackets and are designed for a similar application. The biggest difference is the hinge type and location, most prop rod hoods have the hinges located at the firewall.

http://www.redlinetuning.com/products_quicklift.html

I emailed these guys with the following:

I was planning to order a QuickLift kit for my '89 Mustang, but also need something for the fiberglass hood on my '71 Mach 1. Curious if you have any solutions or can custom make one for that application. The hood is a US Body Source Dominator hood for a '71-73 Mustang."

To which I received the following response:

We do not have a system for the pre -79 Mustang body styles. Each system is custom designed for the application so I can't sell you anything for that model. However our 79-98 system will work with all hood types...

Hmmm....

 

[73StangCoupe]

I emailed these guys with the following:

I was planning to order a QuickLift kit for my '89 Mustang, but also need something for the fiberglass hood on my '71 Mach 1. Curious if you have any solutions or can custom make one for that application. The hood is a US Body Source Dominator hood for a '71-73 Mustang."

To which I received the following response:

We do not have a system for the pre -79 Mustang body styles. Each system is custom designed for the application so I can't sell you anything for that model. However our 79-98 system will work with all hood types...

Hmmm....

Mesozoic,

I have read their response several time and I'm not exactly sure what they mean. I guess they are saying they have a kit for your 89 and it will work with any kind of hood type?? Oh well... they make kits for a Pinto but nothing for 71-73 Mustangs... go figure...

 

[460bbf]

I bought a set of struts for an old bronco I was restoring and they worked flawlessly. I think you could prob buy a kit like that modify the brackets and you would be in business. figuring out the mounting points I don't think would be that hard, they just cannot be closer than the rod at its shortest.

 

[Mesozoic]

I picked up a 2000 Mountaineer for family duties + light offroad use (compared to my Bronco) and discovered that it's got hood struts as well. They're also very compact. I think the mounting points for a struts need to be made on the existing hinge and then measuring the required length open and closed would do the trick. I'm just not really sure where I would mount a strut on the stock hinge.

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Keep in mind most of the hoods on newer fords are aluminum and are very light so they use the little struts. I understand the issue on the fiberglass hood but I have never had an issue with mine stock NASA staying open with ram air and hood locks.

The NASCAR props are pretty much fool proof. They don't wear out and they don't have gas in them that leaks out. I have replaced lots of struts on different vehicles from Jeep to Mustang hatch. They just do not last and are expensive.

Make a set of the over center NASCAR style and maybe even one will hold your fiberglass hood open. Hardware store does have them for like blanket chests and kids toy boxes I don't know if they would be big enough. Apply the KISS principle and you can't go wrong.

My two cents,

David

 

[Mesozoic]

Keep in mind most of the hoods on newer fords are aluminum and are very light so they use the little struts. I understand the issue on the fiberglass hood but I have never had an issue with mine stock NASA staying open with ram air and hood locks.

The NASCAR props are pretty much fool proof. They don't wear out and they don't have gas in them that leaks out. I have replaced lots of struts on different vehicles from Jeep to Mustang hatch. They just do not last and are expensive.

Make a set of the over center NASCAR style and maybe even one will hold your fiberglass hood open. Hardware store does have them for like blanket chests and kids toy boxes I don't know if they would be big enough. Apply the KISS principle and you can't go wrong.

My two cents,

David

Absolutely KISS principle. I'm not familiar with the NASCAR style props you've mentioned, so some pics would be useful.

My hood is a US Body Source Dominator fiberglass unit, looks like the stock NACA hood but with a raised cowl. The hood is reinforced at the hinge and latch areas with internal steel. It's actually not a very good quality hood as over the years the paint is showing that the fiberglass is gassing, I would not recommend this to anyone. I'm sure it is lighter weight than the stock hood, but it can't be by much. In any case, the stock hinges are in use, but using springs I found on sale for a '69 Mustang with fiberglass hood... definitely not working.

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Keep in mind most of the hoods on newer fords are aluminum and are very light so they use the little struts. I understand the issue on the fiberglass hood but I have never had an issue with mine stock NASA staying open with ram air and hood locks.

The NASCAR props are pretty much fool proof. They don't wear out and they don't have gas in them that leaks out. I have replaced lots of struts on different vehicles from Jeep to Mustang hatch. They just do not last and are expensive.

Make a set of the over center NASCAR style and maybe even one will hold your fiberglass hood open. Hardware store does have them for like blanket chests and kids toy boxes I don't know if they would be big enough. Apply the KISS principle and you can't go wrong.

My two cents,

David

You might google it when they open the hood there is a linkage that when you push it back toward the firewall over centers and hits a stop to prevent the hood from closing. When you close you raise and flip them to the front. It is a little difficult to do with one person doing both sides. I don't have a pic or video but they do work.

David

Absolutely KISS principle. I'm not familiar with the NASCAR style props you've mentioned, so some pics would be useful.

My hood is a US Body Source Dominator fiberglass unit, looks like the stock NACA hood but with a raised cowl. The hood is reinforced at the hinge and latch areas with internal steel. It's actually not a very good quality hood as over the years the paint is showing that the fiberglass is gassing, I would not recommend this to anyone. I'm sure it is lighter weight than the stock hood, but it can't be by much. In any case, the stock hinges are in use, but using springs I found on sale for a '69 Mustang with fiberglass hood... definitely not working.