dennis Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Anyone have a tutorial or knowledge on installing hood struts. I know of two people who provide kits but I wanted to try and do this cheap and provide the information for other Ratsun members. 1 Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Anyone have a tutorial or knowledge on installing hood struts. I know of two people who provide kits but I wanted to try and do this cheap and provide the information for other Ratsun members. Laecoen (sp?) did it with some civic hatchback struts i believe. its in his project thread. 1 Quote Link to comment
dennis Posted August 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Laecoen (sp?) did it with some civic hatchback struts i believe. its in his project thread. cool, I will have to check it out. 1 Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Yea, just went to the Junkyard and looked for a Civic Hatchback. Importantly, you want as short as possible, blade style ends (not ball and cup). You want to be able to use a bolt through the hole. I then went to the hardware store, found some bolts, went home plotted some holes, drilled and installed. I did have to grind a portion of the lower attachment for where I bolted it. It was rubbing the car. Reason I mounted it so low was that I can actually reach a nut on the other side. Definitely do both sides. 1 wont hold it, and the hood flexes like crazy. Also notice in this picture, the random hole in the upper hinge piece. That happens when you think you did it right but your struts are too long. I love this mod! Makes the hood stay up easy, and the hood goes up even higher now, as high as the hinges allow. It is so much easier to get under the hood of my car. 1 Quote Link to comment
dennis Posted August 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Yea, just went to the Junkyard and looked for a Civic Hatchback. Importantly, you want as short as possible, blade style ends (not ball and cup). You want to be able to use a bolt through the hole. I then went to the hardware store, found some bolts, went home plotted some holes, drilled and installed. I did have to grind a portion of the lower attachment for where I bolted it. It was rubbing the car. Reason I mounted it so low was that I can actually reach a nut on the other side. Definitely do both sides. 1 wont hold it, and the hood flexes like crazy. Also notice in this picture, the random hole in the upper hinge piece. That happens when you think you did it right but your struts are too long. I love this mod! Makes the hood stay up easy, and the hood goes up even higher now, as high as the hinges allow. It is so much easier to get under the hood of my car. Thanks, are those hatchback struts off of a 92-95? 1 Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 They are the square ish hatchback not sure on year... which ever one is short, and has blades. My junkyard had like 5 of each of the following cars in 1 isle. I either pulled it from this: or this: 1 Quote Link to comment
Jesse C. Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Check out the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee supports for the hood 1 Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Check out the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee supports for the hood you must have some nice junkyards cuz I rarely see anything newer than like 2000. 1 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 There was also an article in the old DQ that has a how-to and a parts list that you can purchase all new from McMaster-Carr. As I recall, all the parts were about $30-ish.. If interested, I can put the parts list up tonight when I get home from work. 1 Quote Link to comment
dennis Posted August 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 There was also an article in the old DQ that has a how-to and a parts list that you can purchase all new from McMaster-Carr. As I recall, all the parts were about $30-ish.. If interested, I can put the parts list up tonight when I get home from work. Thanks Duncan that would be cool. Me likey McMaster-Carr. I give them wayyyyy too much money on stainless hardware. 1 Quote Link to comment
Jesse C. Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 you must have some nice junkyards cuz I rarely see anything newer than like 2000. Do you ever look on ebay? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-Front-hood-Strut-2004-Pair-/320671321661?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aa9800e3d 1 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 Thanks Duncan that would be cool. From DQ Vol 12 Issue 1 (2) 9416k144 gas struts - $11.44 ea. (4) 9416k74 ball sockets - $1.98 ea. (4) 9512k73 ball studs - $1.03 ea. This issue isn't too terribly old, but check McMaster-Carr for current prices. 2 Quote Link to comment
DREWSDIME Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 You can also use struts from honda civic 4 door 92-95 trunk lid 1 Quote Link to comment
dennis Posted August 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 From DQ Vol 12 Issue 1 (2) 9416k144 gas struts - $11.44 ea. (4) 9416k74 ball sockets - $1.98 ea. (4) 9512k73 ball studs - $1.03 ea. This issue isn't too terribly old, but check McMaster-Carr for current prices. Thanks 1 Quote Link to comment
dgi Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 From DQ Vol 12 Issue 1 (2) 9416k144 gas struts - $11.44 ea. (4) 9416k74 ball sockets - $1.98 ea. (4) 9512k73 ball studs - $1.03 ea. This issue isn't too terribly old, but check McMaster-Carr for current prices. Thanks. Any pics or templates for the mounting points? 1 Quote Link to comment
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