Trunk support conversion to gas struts

[adrians]

I should also mention that different struts may be required if you have luggage rack on the trunk lid to cater for the additional weight of the rack, as with my car.

[Ptoneill]

Well first the good, the brackets worked excellent and the longer struts are a good fit, although you could go slightly longer if you wished, the part number I used will be listed below and is also in the photos. Now the bad news, or not so bad depending on your expectations.

I had several mounting issues. I went with stainless rivets and rubber lined compression washers. This was a great idea, however I used too long of a rivet head, mine was approx. 5/8 inches, should have gone with a 3/8 inch. The metal is thinner than I expected on the box in the trunk. I was not able to finish the install because I will have to get the proper rivets in the morning.

I did however mount the upper 10mm ball bolts to the hinge, this went smooth, you just have to make sure that you place the hole where the nut will have room on the opposite side of the hinge. I sprayed primer in the hole to help with rust prevention. (please note that the car is getting a complete repaint so I was not neat). I then placed the lower brackets on the struts and placed them where they will be permanently mounted, this allowed me to test the lift of the struts after I removed the OEM springs. With the lid shut I noticed no bowing or lifting of the forward hinge area, when the key was turned the trunk "popped" up about 2 inches and stayed there. I was able to easily lift the lid and the struts would hold it at any position without out collapse. I was not sure what to expect, I guess I thought that the struts would lift the lid all the way up without assistance, mine will not. Be advised that I used struts with 30lb capacity each (60 total), I would maybe recommend that you call Lou (his number is on the pictured card) and ask for a heavier capacity struts, I know he has 40/45lb struts in the same size. I will stick with what I have, if it really bugs me I may upgrade.

Here are some pictures

















Ok I give up, I tried resizing the dang photos, been too long of a day, hope these help, you can see them properly sized by going to my photobucket link below.

I will add some pictures Thursday to show what they look like installed once I get the proper rivets.

[Flyingthere]

Thanks for sharing, I guess my only question is with the 60lb struts do you think it will close easly? I would not want to cause damage.

[v6spider]

Bob: With all things considered I think it should be fine. the trunk lid weighs at least 30lbs. couple that with the pivot point at where the upper end of the struts are attached and surely that would get close to the 60lb rating...

Pat: I think the rating is about perfect if it will stay in any position. I personally wouldn't want it to pop all the way up. I plan on using an electric lock to open the trunk. What you are describing seems like it will work just fine. One concern I have is that you have the spider with the springs on the trunk lid with no prop rod. Did you or are you removing the springs after installing the struts?

Thanks!

Rob

[Ptoneill]

I did remove the springs I just got frustrated with the rivets and did not take any pictures. I guess you could leave the springs, but I found that they interfered with the strut in that location.

As for damaging the trunk lid with the heavier springs I rally don't see it as an issue unless you get rally silly and get into the 60lb each plus shocks. ( NOTE....i used two 30lb struts) The trunk sees to shut the same as it did with the springs.

I will send photos of the finished product when I get it done.

[v6spider]

So pat....did you ever finish? How did it go?
Rob

[Ptoneill]

Sorry,

I entered my 79 Honda GL1000 in a show this weekend so I did not get to it, I will try tomorrow (Monday).

[RRoller123]

That is one nice bike! Envious!

[Ptoneill]

Got it done...I am just trying to figure out if I can gat a phone video I took to link to the thread. I want to put the video in so that people can see how the lid moves, if. Can't figure it out be the end of the day I will simply go with pictures......thanks for the patience!!

[Ptoneill]

Sorry about the delay, I have decided that I hate trying to do videos, I am having a problem getting it to load onto Photobucket properly, I got the video on my account, however the voice over is way to fast, but you can get the idea. I will edit this post if I get it corrected but I think the video is self explanatory.



CLICK ON THE PICTURE

Thanks for your patience!!!!

[v6spider]

Ptoneill,
Thank you for getting this all together wow... didn't expect a video.

Thanks for helping out a fellow Washingtonian!

Rob

[Ptoneill]

No Problem,

I hope to see your new V6 project when it gets done, maybe we can meet in Seattle next summer (hopefully my car will be done!?) for a beer.

[v6spider]

We will see how it goes. But hell yes!
Rob

[basarabam]

Ptoniel,

Did you get the bracket and pivot ball from the same company? I see you posted the part number for the struts but was curious about the mounting. Seems like a very nice upgrade!

[Ptoneill]

Sorry about that, I added them to the previous set of pictures but here they are ......








Hope this helps!!

PS...you have to buy your own attachment hardware, I got my SS star washers and nuts at ACE Hardware, I would probably go with aluminum rivets if I did it again, the Stainless were very hard to snap.