Fiberglass hood and hood struts

[halistan]

I just bought Rebecca's old fiberglass hood (I love it, thanks Rebecca ) but I have noticed that there are no holes in it to attach the hoodstruts.

Now, I have replaced the OEM struts with some aftermarket ones as outlined by Jon's instructions and they have been working perfectly on my old hood.

My question is, can I drill holes into the crossbeam (for lack of a better term) on the underside of the hood to attach the hoodstruts?

With the entire thing being fiberglass I wasn't sure if that would be too much strain on it and break while trying to close the hood.

Does anyone have any experience on this that I could benefit from? Thanks

[92 SVX]

Originally Posted by halistan

I just bought Rebecca's old fiberglass hood (I love it, thanks Rebecca ) but I have noticed that there are no holes in it to attach the hoodstruts.

Now, I have replaced the OEM struts with some aftermarket ones as outlined by Jon's instructions and they have been working perfectly on my old hood.

My question is, can I drill holes into the crossbeam (for lack of a better term) on the underside of the hood to attach the hoodstruts?

With the entire thing being fiberglass I wasn't sure if that would be too much strain on it and break while trying to close the hood.

Does anyone have any experience on this that I could benefit from? Thanks

The hood struts that are made to hold 90 pounds I would not use, I think there are a pair of struts that would work but I dont know.

[svxfiles]

I think that to be safe, you might get a hood prop like what comes on Outbacks/Legacys.
I am not saying that its not possible,
I am offering a cheaper alternative,



with less chance of failure.

[svxcess]

PM svxfiles. He has a lot of experience in this area.

A set of worn-out stock hood struts would be sufficient on the lightweight hood

A mini vise grip on the shaft in the open position would help if they weren't strong enough

[halistan]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

I think that to be safe, you might get a hood prop like what comes on Outbacks/Legacys.
I am not saying that its not possible,
I am offering a cheaper alternative,



with less chance of failure.

It's the chance of failure i'm worried about lol. I honestly like having working hoodstruts again and I would like to keep using them. These do seem stronger than the OEM ones though so I could see it causing an issue with the fiberglass hood (snapping it in too the first time I try closing it is my biggest fear the)

Maybe I could buy some weaker struts (same dimensions as these) to use on it. It wouldn't take but a minute to swap the mount onto it now that I've already done it once. Any thoughts?

[Sean486]

Originally Posted by svxcess

PM svxfiles.
A set of worn-out stock hood struts would be sufficient on the lightweight hood

I remember looking at Young Tom's Shadow Machine at Reading and talking about the hood with him. He told me he used a set of worn out hood strut on the fiberglass hood. A set that would fall on a normal hood was perfect for the lighter weight of the fiberglass. I might still have my old set if you want them.

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by Sean486

I remember looking at Young Tom's Shadow Machine at Reading and talking about the hood with him. He told me he used a set of worn out hood strut on the fiberglass hood. A set that would fall on a normal hood was perfect for the lighter weight of the fiberglass. I might still have my old set if you want them.

However Young Toms hood was a sturdier Class Glass hood and did not have the opening/scoop in the hood.

[icingdeath88]

I'm in a situation similar to yours. I have a carbon fiber hood sitting in my garage, and the hood struts on one of my cars no longer hold the stock hood up very well. I am going to give those a shot and see how it goes, and if they seem too strong, then I'll probably go the hood prop route.

[Sean486]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

However Young Toms hood was a sturdier Class Glass hood and did not have the opening/scoop in the hood.

Actually it had quite a large opening in the hood, the freaking engine was sticking out.

[SVXyGirl]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

I think that to be safe, you might get a hood prop like what comes on Outbacks/Legacys.
I am not saying that its not possible,
I am offering a cheaper alternative,



with less chance of failure.

I made a really nice hood prop for the Killer Tomato when that hood was on the car. It's nice to have hood struts but I'm fine with just a hood prop. I don't know how many times the hood on my claret would randomly fall (sometimes on my head! I hear concussions are easy to get!). Glad you like it!

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by Sean486

Actually it had quite a large opening in the hood, the freaking engine was sticking out.

Originally it did not have a big freekin hole in the hood.

[halistan]

Ok, took some measurements and the fiberglass hood is 22lbs. The stock hood is right around 45lbs.

When I did the new struts I got the GNSI 2250-90's which seem to fit pretty well. The hold 90lbs with an expanded length of 18" and a compressed length of 11"

They do have struts with the same dimensions that are just weaker. They have 30lbs and 45lbs

(http://www.spdhardware.com/catalog/G...20Gas%20Spring)

I'm thinking I could do one of those. That would exert less pressure on the hood when closing it, but still be enough to hold it up. I'd probably go with the 30#'s.

What are your thoughts?

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by halistan

Ok, took some measurements and the fiberglass hood is 22lbs. The stock hood is right around 45lbs.

When I did the new struts I got the GNSI 2250-90's which seem to fit pretty well. The hold 90lbs with an expanded length of 18" and a compressed length of 11"

They do have struts with the same dimensions that are just weaker. They have 30lbs and 45lbs

(http://www.spdhardware.com/catalog/G...20Gas%20Spring)

I'm thinking I could do one of those. That would exert less pressure on the hood when closing it, but still be enough to hold it up. I'd probably go with the 30#'s.

What are your thoughts?

Even 30 lbs might be too much. I'd try to find some very weak stock hood struts first.