rjmonty

Has anyone installed a lifting strut on a '58 trunk lid to counter the weight of the aftermarket trunk spears. I really don't want the trunk lid to fall on my head or cut some kids fingers off.
If anyone has done so, would you please post a pic and give me a part number.
Thanks in advance.

67L36Driver

I had to think this one over for a while................................... ....................


and ........................................ ................


........................................ ................then


It is Friday.

rjmonty

What does that mean???

Vet65te

My first Vette was a basket case '58 bought back in '79. Had it for a while, made a few improvements and then decided it wasn't what I wanted. When I put it up for sale, I got a call from a guy who was restoring a '58 and wanted to trade me his brand new repro trunk irons plus cash for my original trunk irons. Mine needed replating and his were very nice looking and at the time, the $80 kicker seemed like a good deal to me. I remember how light the 'hollow' originals were compared to the repro's which I guessed were chromed brass. I suppose the current repro's might have the same construction so they are quite heavy.
I don't have any suggestions for making a deck lid strut to counter the extra weight of the repro irons but maybe there's a way to adjust or shim the springs that hold the deck lid up? I just briefly scanned through the ST-12 and didn't see a true 'adjustment' to those springs but maybe it's possible.
Mike T.

67L36Driver

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...r-a-smile.html

I think I just made my first mistake of 2010. Mark it down fellas, I'll make more.:o


F.W.I.W.:
Those trunk irons/spears are worst thing I've ever seen on a C1. J.M. .02

jmschmit

I have owned my 58 vette for 37 years , the trunk irons have been on for 10 years and no one has hit their head or smashed their fingers. When you open trunk wait untill it settles then reach inside or have someone hold it up. I wouldn't put on a lifting strut. Bill58.

vettefred

Don't go with struts. Stretch and shim your trunk springs to compensate for the added weight. A recent article in "On Solid Ground" covers how to do this. That publication is from the Solid Axle Corvette Club. www.solidaxle.org

BTW Monty....disregard the guy crackin' on 58's....HIS other car is a...........CORVAIR.

P.S. Check your PM meanwhile I will look for my copy of the mag and on Monday I can scan and email to you.

Regards,
Fred

rjmonty

I'm pretty sure I've seen one or more on '58s, I think at a BJ auction. Thanks for the info so far, except for Mr. smart a$$. If anyone has anymore input, I would appreciate it.
Fred, I would be interested in seeing those instructions.
Thanks...Bob

rjmonty

I had to try it so here is the result.

drivette

Corvette Central part # 611183, Larry

rjmonty

Well silly me. I bought mine from a Canadian Co. Without a picture or description on CC, how are you suppose to know what the item is...by the name only?

Plasticman

Corvette Central has changed the p/n to 611103 (GAS SHOCK TRUNK / DECK CONVERSION (ND) for $259.60.

Tried to copy the full webpage, but no luck.

Here is a picture of the unit.
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5SARKO~Z5Z5Z51

Plasticman

rjmonty

Thanks for the info. Those look great but then again I paid $30 ea for my gas strut lifts and added them to the hinge. Not quite as professional as the CC parts but not bad either.

vettefred

Monty,

They look pretty good! Are they operational yet? Please post completed photos and let all of us know how they turn out.

Regards,

Fred

rjmonty

Fred,
I just put one side on to see the fit and look. However, I think I need to send them back to beef them up, which they said they would do. They are 20 lbs of force ea and that was a wag on my part. I might need to go to 40 lbs ea. I'll let you know.
...Bob