WATCH THIS SPACE!
I'll update this thread with the hood and trunk strut rebuilds, using aftermarket bits. Everything you need to know. Every cut, every part, every spec.
Complete: Everything is installed! Next: The How-To!
Experiment results so far:
* The 90# struts make a much better replacement up front than the 120# ones; they still lift the hood themselves, but they're definitely more civilized when closing.
* The measurements made in the original hood strut How To are short about an inch and a half. Thanks to John for the correction.
* With both 80# struts installed in the trunk, it won't pop it up, and it won't let it float down, so keep the kids' fingers out, but it does move in a much more friendly fashion. You still have to control its speed, but it's with a lot less effort. For note: My trunk has the wing.
* The trunk strut mod is currently facing a problem that was pointed out to me. Hood struts are still super good, though.
Bill of Materials (in progress):
I got these from
ASRaymond:
Qty P/N Item Price Extended
2 GSNI225090 Gas Spring - Black Nitride (hood strut) $16.19 $32.38
2 GSNI515080 Gas Spring - Black Nitride (trunk strut) $14.13 $28.26
2 BS1002 Ball Stud $ 1.02 $ 2.04
6 BS11208 Ball Stud $ 1.39 $ 8.34
Shipping
$13ish $13ish
$84.02
You'll also need:
(6) 1/4-20 nuts, stainless steel, which should cost about $2.
(2) washers - I used 6mm, with the smallest OD I could find. About $1.00
Paint for the brackets, if you're the type that doesn't care for exposed metal
Get some cutoff wheels for the Dremel, too!
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