I've been playing around with this idea for awhile, I know other poeple have done it but I don't think anybody is selling them. These are just pictures of the protype I made, the finished parts may be slightly different(I have already made changes). It uses one gas strut, all the other parts are made of t-6 aluminum(could be painted or polished) Two holes would need to be drilled for the lower mount, while the upper mount uses the two bolts in the hood hinge. The strut I used is strong enough to easily hold the hood up, but when it's closed there is no upward push on the hood. The strut dosen't start to push until the hood is about half way up, then it opens the rest on it's own.
Price would depend on how many people are intrested, probably $50-75
yeah I might be interested in one maybe two to balance the look out. Is there or could there be a left and right or does one fit both sides. Would there still be no upward push with two ??
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09:15 PM
AgaricX Member
Posts: 1165 From: A genetics lab somewhere in TX, USA Registered: Aug 2001
You have my attention! The only thing I don't like about Rodney Dickman's is that it's in the stock location. I'd rather have it out of the way, like what you've done. I was going to try something like this myself, but couldn't find a strut that had the right pressure. If it's $50, I will definately buy it. If it'll be more, I'll probably still get it. When do you expect to start selling these?
I have another question. Where does the lower support mount to?
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[This message has been edited by sqoach (edited 02-14-2003).]
[This message has been edited by sqoach (edited 02-14-2003).]
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09:42 PM
qwikgta Member
Posts: 4669 From: Virginia Beach, VA Registered: Jan 2001
If you've worked out the "strut push up" let me know how, i did this last year, but i don't like that when the hood is closed, the strut pushes the hood up on the corner, it just looks bad. Thanks
Rob
------------------ 88 TTop coupe, soon to be fitted with a DOHC 3.4/5spd
The pic above shows where the lover mount sits, this is an old picture I have made the mount longer so it can be bolted on easier.
Currently I don't plan on making a dual strut system, the radiator reservoir would need to be moved.
qwikgta- From the looks of the picture you posted, the reason your strut was always pushing up is beacause you bolted the strut directly to the hood bolt. Mine bolts closer to the hinge's pivot point. Plus I bolted the strut to a block which sticks down lower when the hood is closed, it still pushes up but not enough to move the hinge.
[This message has been edited by sluppy123 (edited 02-17-2003).]
Looks good, but I would also like a dual setup-lots of wind out here all year long to be blowing on an open hood. Are you going to sell them as a kit or just make & sell the mounting hardware & let people buy their own struts? I have nothing against anyone making a buck on any of their own work or ideas. I'm a machinist myself, & can mill out a set of mounting blocks easily enough-but my work ain't cheap . But if I ever make one that works well & looks good, I intend to post sources & part #'s of the struts for all. You can bank on it. There is nothing I have, either physically or or in my head that the members here aren't welcome to. But, like I sdaid, that's just me.
maryjane- I have no problem sharing the part numbers and sources, as soon as I'm happy with my design I'll share. But the part number for the strut won't do 95% of the poeple any good. How many people on the forum, let alone anywhere else are capable of cutting metal? Having the required store bought parts is only a small part of the problem. I could post dimensions for the mounting hardware, but who's going to be able to use them? This is true for all custom work, not just fiero related stuff. Just like you said "my work ain't cheap", any custom work isn't cheap, especially when it's metal work.
So, are you going to try a dual support system? I'd be interested in one. When my hood is up out here, the wind shakes it around so much, that I'm afraid it's going to crack something.
Knowing what it takes to design & build an article such as this, & then try to recoup something for your efforts, I'll be glad to pay your price. Let us know. & NO!, I would NOT copy your design or divulge any of YOUR sources, if it sounded that way in my post. Don
I'd be interested in a couple,but what about the weight of a modified hood?My next car will probably have a vent I bought from Pat Kalsmith a while back.If two can be done it would alleviate Don's wind problem,look more balanced and be able (with different struts)to hold up a heavier hood.
------------------ #1112 Question my ability,question my intelligence,never question my integrity!
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08:34 PM
PFF
System Bot
tomanyfieros Member
Posts: 2702 From: Albany, Ohio Registered: Nov 2000
I am going to try to make both dual and a single strut system. However today I experienced the problem everyone else had, when the hood was closed it bowed the hood. If the hood was reinforced this wouldn't be a problem, but with a stock hood my first protoype will not work. I started work on the second design today. I don't think it will be a problem to hold up a heavier hood, it may require more effort to open it but it will stay open with no problems. I'll keep everyone updated.
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11:23 PM
Feb 16th, 2003
GTFiero1 Member
Posts: 6508 From: Camden County NJ Registered: Sep 2001
talk to Skitime, he has a dual hood stur set-up in the location your installing yours
------------------ --Adam-- 1987 Blue GT 5-speed IM AOL: GTFiero Fiero mods almost done...i know that because im running out of possesions to sell for money
I used a $20.00 strong arm replacement strut and at first I connected it to the top hole on the hood hinge. I pushed up the corner when the hood was shut. Someone else on the forum figured out to use the lower hole and now there is no bowing. you can use the bracket from the stock hood prop to mount the back of the strut behind the headlight. Total cost is just over $20.00.
Unlike my previous designs I mounted the strut up higher on the panel by the headlight bolts. This creates a very shallow angle, so when the hood is closed the strut is pushing parallel with the hood thus no chance of the hood bowing.
The only problem I found is the hood hinges can be off-center from the rest of the car. This create's a big problem when trying to squeez a gas strut between the radatior reservoir and the headlight door. In the pic above you can see how close the strut comes to the bolt on the headlight door.(I only had clearance problems on one side, the other side I had ton's of clearance) It took some trial and error but I finnaly got it to work. This will be my final design, A single strut will easily hold up a stock hood and probalby most of the modified hoods. With dual strut's having the balanced look and able hold up just about anything, yet when they close no pressure on the hood.
If there is any interest in this design LMK and I'll work out the details. I would rather just sell the required mounts and have the buyer purchace the struts. This would keep my cost down and the mounts would be cheaper.
[This message has been edited by sluppy123 (edited 02-17-2003).]
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01:10 AM
FieroSoul Member
Posts: 521 From: Panama City, FL Registered: Jul 2001
Add me to the list of interested members. I think you are on to something. I would just recommend that you take a page from Rodney's book and make it as minimally intrusive as possible. That is one thing that makes Rodney's stuff so great...besides the fact that he is genious.
Dwayne
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08:24 AM
sailordude Member
Posts: 421 From: Pt. Edward, Ontario, Canada Registered: Mar 2001
I just about have all the production bugs ironed out, I've got all the hardware(ie fasteners)picked out, and awaiting delivery of some material. Once I get the material I will begin taking orders, Keep an eye out for a new post about cost and other details in a few days.
I just about have all the production bugs ironed out, I've got all the hardware(ie fasteners)picked out, and awaiting delivery of some material. Once I get the material I will begin taking orders, Keep an eye out for a new post about cost and other details in a few days.
Sweet! Thanks for the update!
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08:01 PM
A_Pegasi Member
Posts: 206 From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA Registered: Dec 2001
I might be interested in one maybe two to balance the look out. Is there or could there be a left and right or does one fit both sides. Would there still be no upward push with two ??
