Bolt on hood struts

[trottida]

Originally Posted by OldNuc

The McMaster part number CAD info shows only 2 mounting holes and it and the redline part may actually be identical and are functionally identical for sure.

I didn't find that drawing earlier but here it is. It shows 3 holes at the top right. Does look to be the same with the exception of the ball position. McMaster seems to be more outwards at .83" than the RedLine shown in the photo following the McMaster drawing.





This is the photo of the RedLine product; they don't show a measurement for the protrusion of the 10mm ball however by eyeball it seems to be less.

[OldNuc]

I dont think it is critical but you have to add 5mm to the measured value i posted as I measured to the ball centerline to a bit less than the absolute botom as the hood insulation edge is also there. 5mm is a bit less than 0.04" so that .5 + .04 = .54 + a small amount for the casual measurement. Redline may have changed the mount as the one I have is rather old.

[trottida]

I ended up making my own brackets as the shipping from US into Canada was a deterrent in my quest to do this as low cost as possible using new parts.

I grabbed a couple pipe hangers (see photo below) from the hardware store plumbing department and modified them. I cut both them down to about 7/8ths of an inch in height. Just enough so when the hood was closed the upper didn't touch the UHJB and the lower didn't touch the hood.

On the upper bracket I drilled 2 holes, one for the ball stud and one for a third rivet. The reasoning for the 3rd rivet hole is that the pipe hanger came with slotted 1/4" holes which were larger than the 3/16" rivets. The rivets held in the 1/4' holes but the 3rd 3/16" hole ensured it was attached securely to the hood with no risk of movement.

On the lower I drilled 1 hole for the ball stud and changed the angle from 90 to ~115 degrees.

I used a center punch to mark all the holes, drilled a small hole then stepped up until the finished hole size.

Here's my final part list, costs and some photos of the finished installation on my 99 SL2 MT . My final cost was $38.58 CAD including taxes (about $28 USD).

• 2 - 3/8" Extended IPS Steel Epoxy Pipe Hanger ($2.49/ea)
• 1 - 2 pack of JR Products BS-1005 10mm Ball Stud ($6.99/ea)
• 2 - Nylon Insert Lock Nut 5/16"-18 ($0.29/ea
• 1 - 20" 60-lb Gas Prop ($20.76/ea)
• 3 - 3/16" medium rivets ($0.11/ea)
• 2 - 1/2" Self tapping hex head screws (.25/ea)
• 1 - Black spray paint (left over paint)

Pipe Hanger
10mm Ball Stud
Gas Strut
3/16" Med Rivets
Lock nut
Flat Black Paint

[OldNuc]

Looks like you got it all working just fine.

[JustChrisThanks]

Found this tread and decided to give it a go. After reading many posts saying the 99 f-150 struts are about an inch too long, and can be a pain to compress, I figured why not look for ones that are an inch shorter.

The extended length of the f150 struts is 13.3 inches, so I looked around, and found that the trunk lift struts for 91-94 Mercury Capri are 12.3. So you can still grab all parts needed at a junkyard, or get the struts for $20 new-

https://www.ebay.com/itm/403300745277

But, take a look at these that are 12.2 for $20-

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0869...b_b_asin_title

I went with the Arana ones in the Amazon link for a couple reasons. First, it came with the ball stud bolts you would need to pull from a Chrysler 300/ Dodge Intrepid. It actually comes with 4 bolts and nuts, but all the same size, so if you want to drill a hole like the Honda del sol method, all hardware is provided. Otherwise, you still need to get the smaller bolts (12mm deep socket), but the list of cars to pull from was much larger for the those, some Buicks, Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs (list is in post #37).

Second, and more importantly, they have struts with different weight tolerances available. After reading that the hood is 30lbs, I went with the 40lb struts, which according to their specifications are ideal for 30-44lbs. They actually clarify by saying, if the weight is <30lbs or >44lbs, do not buy. I'm guessing the f150 and Capri struts will probably work fine, however I couldn't find any information how much weight they are designed for.

Lined right up great! Hood is even open slightly more, prop rod is about 2 inches from hole now. The Mercury Capri ones should be a great fit as well. You don't feel them when you're first opening it, but it gets lighter as you lift, then halfway up they take over and lift it the rest of the way, and hold it with no issues.

Didn't get charged for the 2 bolts at the junkyard, just had to pay the $2 entry fee, so altogether this cost $22, and took less then 5 minutes to install. Great easy cheap mod!

[trottida]

Looks great. The only thing that swayed me from going that route is that there is a risk of folding your hood having the attachment close to the hinge. The strut pressure has to be closely considered.

[JustChrisThanks]

Originally Posted by trottida

Looks great. The only thing that swayed me from going that route is that there is a risk of folding your hood having the attachment close to the hinge. The strut pressure has to be closely considered.

Thanks! I was concerned of the same thing as well, which is why I went with the Arana struts. Concerned the f150 struts are made for a heavier hood. I owned a 78 chevy truck when I was 19. Didn't realize the hinges on the hood were super stiff from rust, until I bent half the hood one day trying to pull it down. I just figured that's how much force it takes to shut an old truck hood. Amazed what some wd-40 did lol.