Ok, i have the same problem that I know at least a few of you have... my hood shocks took a dump and now I use a chopped down hockey stick to prop the hood up...

My idea here is to get rid of the hood shocks (and my hockey stick) and build some hood struts that use spring tension to prop up the hood, like a 2nd gen F-body has. Since I have basically untill the end of August to do this, I have more than enough time. Right now, I am just looking for suggestions on were to start.

I want to design this to be tough enough to hold up a stock hood, but will not be overly harsh to a fibreglass hood (stock or otherwise) when the hood is locked down.

I also want to have them be able to be installed w/o cutting anything on the car... preferably something that will drop right in were the gas struts already are.

Any suggestions on were to start?

 

Why don't you want to use the gas springs? They seem to do the job ok. When you switch to a fiberglasss hood you can get ones for an '82 z28- those were made of smc-plastic.
When I got my car the gas springs were shot but it only took 5 minutes to replace and about $30.

 

Where to start- study hood spings on other cars. Go to the boneyard and see what would fit. take pictures & measurements. If you are using a lighter hood- check out smaller cars so the spring tension will be similar. You may have to cut and weld new brackets or mounting points.

 

Well, i have looked at a few 2nd gens, but their assemblies are way too big, lol. Most of the other cars I looked at just had the prop rod.

 

Has anyone tried a prop rod for our hoods. I am wondering if it would work for a fiberglass one. I may try to do something like this when I find the time.

 

A prop rod works ok on my factory 'glass hood... thats what my hockey stick is used for

I've noticed though, that if there isn't a prop rod on both sides of the hood (L and R) that the hood twists alot... nothing has happened to mine, but i'm sure it can't be good for it.