http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33647

 

Good price, but they're for a non-defrost, non aerowing car.

Pete

 

I did notice that and forgot to mention it. What does the aerowing have to do with the struts? Is it that they aren't the heavy duty shocks for the added weight? I need the heavy duty for my rear louvers.

 

That's right, the aerowing ones are heavier-duty to support the additional weight.
AFAIK, there were three different options: 1)plain struts like these; 2)defroster-equipped; and 3)defroster with wiper/aerowing.

 

Kragen...39.95 per side. Lifetime warranty. 15 minute install. Turn the key and don't lift a finger. No bull***t. If they stop working take 'em back put new ones on. No questions asked. You're out like 30 minutes for install plus driving.

 

I heard there are 3 part numbers depending on weight loads. I too need a strong one for my, dare I say it, LOUVERS !

 

Aww Maaaan. Louvers are so 80's! LoL

It's all about Sweet, Smooth, Tinted, Straight Black Glass!

 

i like the louvers, need we all forget our cars are from the 80's

but then agagin some may take a classic 67 chevell and lower it and put some strange wing on it and some other outaplace mods just because we're in the year 2004. Bah...

keep what ya like i am putting my louvers back on when i am done painting the car.

Jeffw

 

I'm with you. There is nothing wrong with an 80's car looking 80's. I actually prefer to keep my cars looking mostly stock. The guy who spends lots of money to update his car will only be disappointed in 5 years when all his expensive mods are out of style. At least your louvers look period correct and will always be acceptable in that way.

 

Those and the front hood struts are the only non-GM parts that I use on my car (uh, and Flowmaster! HeHe!)!
I have spent lots of $$$ on the GM replacements (yes, the right ones)! They don't last longer than a few months! And that's here in So-Cal!
I too, when the AutoZone/Pep Boys route! And I have never had to go back (knock on wood!)! And they are lifetime warranty!
Good luck to those of you going the GM route!

My take,

George

 

Touche!

But I drive a '92 so am I exempt? Or do I need to hang some parachute pants from my rear view mirror?

 

If you have a fiberglass hood, you really dont have a choice but to get GM parts. All the others will be too strong for the hood. GM sells them for the 82-83 Camaro with the glass hood, and they cost some big $! About 45 per side, IIRC. If someone knows of a cheaper one that is not too strong for glass, let me know.

 

Why does it matter if you have a fiberglass hood or not?
How can they be "too" strong?

 

If you have the regular supports, when you go to close the hood, it will crack right in front of where the hinges bolt to the hood. The glass hoods are not as strong as the steel ones, nor do they have as much underside bracing.

 

Has anyone heard of, seen or succesfully installed a hood stick (like 90% of the rest of the cars in the history of automotive engineering have) in a Firebird or Trans-Am?

 

why would you want a stick? It just gets in the way when you are trying to work on your car.

 

sticks are for beating people, now a prop rod on the other hand

 

I'm not pulling the motor so I'm not really worried about a 1/4 inch wide stick in my way.

Anyways it's really windy where I live and the stick makes me uncomfortable. I used to lock a set of vice grips on the shaft of the hood strut (after the strut stopped working) but it started to chew up the shaft.

I know I can just buy new ones but one day they are going to give out and I don't wanna be under the hood when they decide to. A hood prop is a good backup.

I was just wondering if anyone has seen one or has one successfully installed?

 

My prop rod doubles as a beating stick.

 

I got a prop rod on my 84 z w/ a fiberglass hood. It looks factory. The preveious owner installed it i dont have a pic as of now though

 

How does it lay in the engine compartment?
Does it lay parallel to the fender or the front bumper?
Did they install one of the clips for it to sit in when it lays down?
Is it the right length to hold the hood up fully extended?

 

I have a prop rod for the hood of my Formula; it came on a Firebird parts car I got a few years ago. I have no idea what type of vehicle it originally came off of though.
Here's the only pic of it I could find for now. Taken while the Formula was under construction - there's no fender on it in the shot. I might try to get some better ones tomorrow.

 

Why couldn't you use somebody's worn out ones from a steel hood? I would imagine they would be strong enough to hold up a glass hood.

I know when I went from the original spoiler on the hatch to the fiberglass ones, my original struts would work again because of the lighter weight.

 

As to the original content of the post... there seemed to be a few different hatch struts for the 'birds... http://www.deadbird.org/pnfire/c13.htm

MightlyLift struts from Autozone (and other places) are cheap ($25ish/each) and usually carry a good to lifetime warrenty as well.

 

:-( i wasnt even born till 85 what are those?



~hijacks thread~

 

I just picked up a set of strongarm struts for my T/A.... they have two part numbers they carry at advance (schuck's, kragen, for you northern f*ckers...) (j/k) one for bare (no spoiler or anything) and one for fully loaded.... wiper, defroster, and spoiler. I got the heavy duty ones, because I have a spoiler, and want to install a defroster. as for the hood struts, I haven't found a hood i liked yet, except the turbo vette style hoods, and the 'bird hoods that have those four vent panels in them. anybody know where to get one of those turbo vette style hoods? I can't find them anywhere.