Hood struts...

[kwren]

Just a suggestion to enhance YourConfused's great modification for hood struts!

Click to take a look...
(not on this word click... on the hyper link!)

http://www.ourlifeline.net/yourconfused.htm

Keith

[svxistentialist]

That's a good solution Keith.

Joe

[kwren]

Originally Posted by svxistentialist

That's a good solution Keith.

Joe

....................

[YourConfused]

Ok so here the installed pics of my version of the mod.

first pic: is installed strut at fender, you will notice that the lower plate is not in the correct position as it is the one from the other side of the car. swapping them like this kept me from having to cut them or hurt my car in any way.

second: shows the quick release pin swung to open position

third: shows the pin removed and strut pulled off the ball that came with the strut

fourth: shows the strut at the hood end using the factory ball in place of the one that came with the new struts.

I did it like this to keep it simple and eliminate the amount of things i needed to buy and possibly have to return in the process.
so my buy list was 2 struts from mcmaster and that was it. nice and simple.

[kwren]

Originally Posted by YourConfused

Ok so here the installed pics of my version of the mod.

first pic: is installed strut at fender, you will notice that the lower plate is not in the correct position as it is the one from the other side of the car. swapping them like this kept me from having to cut them or hurt my car in any way.

second: shows the quick release pin swung to open position

third: shows the pin removed and strut pulled off the ball that came with the strut

fourth: shows the strut at the hood end using the factory ball in place of the one that came with the new struts.

I did it like this to keep it simple and eliminate the amount of things i needed to buy and possibly have to return in the process.
so my buy list was 2 struts from mcmaster and that was it. nice and simple.

But I still don't understand how you accidentally got the things switched to the wrong side of the car. again, like you say, I am confused

Keith

[YourConfused]

Originally Posted by kwren

But I still don't understand how you accidentally got the things switched to the wrong side of the car. again, like you say, I am confused

Keith

I am going to send my trunk monkey to your house and have it throw poop at you!

[kwren]

............

[YourConfused]

Originally Posted by kwren

............

"clazy texan"

at least I can spell

[kwren]

Originally Posted by YourConfused

"clazy texan"

at least I can spell

a face with no words???

refer to above post...

I can also spell just takes me a few tryes

[LetItSnow]

Originally Posted by svxcess

What I like about this approach to the bottom bracket modification is that it allows for the hood to open to the same height as stock.

In LetItSnow's, the bottom attaching point is lower and the hood doesn't open quite as much.

Originally Posted by YourConfused

...the ball that came with the strut.

Wow, I didn't know that I'd encounter so much competition and one-upmanship in the process of improving the hood strut how-to!

/me exits the hood strut thing before being struck at again.

[lhopp77]

Originally Posted by YourConfused

so my buy list was 2 struts from mcmaster and that was it. nice and simple.

Did you show the McMaster part number someplace or did I just miss it?

Lee

[kwren]

Originally Posted by lhopp77

Did you show the McMaster part number someplace or did I just miss it?

Lee

the NAPA # is 819-5672 and rated at 90lbs. $20.53. ea
is 18 1/2 inches long. Is perfect! Any stronger would be a really bad idea.

[YourConfused]

Originally Posted by lhopp77

Did you show the McMaster part number someplace or did I just miss it?

Lee

mcmaster part number: 4138t56

[kwren]

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

Wow, I didn't know that I'd encounter so much competition and one-upmanship in the process of improving the hood strut how-to!

/me exits the hood strut thing before being struck at again.

I just love it when people do things like this and share them with all of us!

Obviously, LetItSnow and YourConfused, a lot of thought went into them both! The ideas are both excellent! However, The amount of thought involved for Mr. YourConfused in the assembly is suspect. I personally thought the method easier, but in fairness, I am knocking of just a smidgen for the backward bracket thingie. I would still give him equal credit for excellent on his mod method

My choice happened when I tried to cut the strut shaft off with my hacksaw and the strut shaft just set there and looked at me! (must be time for a new blade)

The struts I ordered from NAPA came in this morning and I put mine together today... with the brackets installed correctly and with the 18 1/2 inch struts, it resembles a whale that has it's mouth open to catch a seal with the hood opened!

Serious thanks to you both!

Keith

[YourConfused]

I think you are giving a little too much credit for thinking thinkings out on this. I only did it this way because I couldn't find the struts locally and I have used the struts from mcmaster before and liked the quick disconnect feature they offer. All my effort and time went into trying to find the correct struts from local retailers here. Being lazy I just ordered my struts online and installed them in like 20 minutes. I noticed while installing them that they fit with swapping the brackets and allowed me to finish faster that way. So my method was born from me just wanting it to be quick, easy and effective. I may actually fix the brackets in the future, but I am still fighting to get other parts of my car to function properly.

p.s. Did my trunk monkey show up yet?