I got tired of opening my heavy hood and using two hands to lock and unlock my hood prop. So I converted to a Gas Spring like modern cars use. The whole job took less than an hour and cost about 25 bucks-Total!
I now can lift my hood with one finger, and open and close it with one hand. I have been using it on my '79 for about two years now, and it has worked perfectly. Every 'Vette guy who sees it comments about what a good idea it is. So I thought I'd post it for those of you that might want to convert their own cars.
You remove the old prop and leave the end brackets mounted to the hood and fender. Just mount the ball joints to the existing end brackets.

I used SPD Gas Springs parts from their online catalog.Here are the parts to buy:
1x GSNI-5200-60 Gas Spring, $15.84(-60=60 lbs lift, or use -75=75 lbs)10" retracted, 17" extended, .24" rod,.59" body
(They also have an all Stainless gas spring available with the same dimensions, looks really cool, but it's over $50)
2x BS-1009-SS Ball joint ends, $3.66/ea
2x NU-1200-SS Lock Nuts for ball ends, $0.25/ea
The gas spring comes with plastic ends, they'll work, but if you want SS ends(I used SS), add:
2x EF-PS90-SS Stainless Steel gas spring ends, $8.18/ea

Here is a photo of the installed Gas Spring, and two more close-ups of the ends to aid in assembly:



And close-ups of the ends:





Give it a try-you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

 

Pretty slick.

 

i like it! That's awesome and looks pretty easy! Thank you for sharing.

Sully

 

My only concern would be the added stress on the fiberglass when closing the hood. How much effort does it take to close. No stress cracks from this? Looks nice.

 

Thanks for that question. I had the same concerns myself, before I began designing this thing. Once I analyzed the function, and measured everything, I became convinced that it could cause no harm to my "Baby". I really love my Corvette, wanted it since I was 5 years old, and would never do anything that could harm it.

The hood closes very easily. Identical to the original setup. At the point of closing, the spring's force is almost entirely applied in the horizontal. The more you open the hood, the more force becomes vertical. The hood is already applying it's full weight when it is open with the factory prop. The weight on the fender is no different with either device. The gas spring just makes opening the hood easier for the person doing it. All the gas spring does is counter most of the hood's weight. When closed the tension from the gas spring is exerted horizontal with the fender lip, that's much stronger than it's vertical weight capability. As I wrote previously, I have been using this on my car for over two years now. I have closely inspected the areas of concern both before the install and at regular intervals since, and have observed zero changes in the bodywork. The area of the fender that holds the hood prop was designed by Chevrolet to adequately support the full weight of the hood in it's raised position. Any surface features visible in my photos were there before I changed anything.

When I decided to try this installation, I measured the distance between the stock prop's mount points with the hood closed and open, to determine the length and stroke needed. I then weighed the hood through it's travel from just "popped" to fully open, to determine the minimum spring force necessary to counter most of the hood's weight. It is not an overly strong spring. The hood does not "open itself". But with the gas spring installed, it feels like the hood only weighs about 10 pounds. That's why I chose a 60 pound gas spring, and why I wrote that you could use a 75 pound if you want. There is leeway there.

To summarize - It Works Friggin Fantastic!

 

looks like a crack in the 3rd photo

 

You did not read my previous posting very well, did you? Apparently my detailed explanation of how the force on the fender lip is equal to the original hood prop fell on deaf ears. I ended with-

I Quote:" Any surface features visible in my photos were there before I changed anything."

My car wasn't perfect when I bought it 5 years ago. As close as the picture was taken, you would see irregularities all around my hood lip area. Hell, you could see the hairs on a flea's *** if you were this close. Before I installed the new gas springs, I photo logged the areas shown, and they look the same today as they did over 2 years ago.

 

That was funny....I don't care who you are. Plus I like the idea and the price is right. Thanks!

 

Great Idea, like it.

Thank you for sharing part numbers, much easier to buy. I will add this to my project list.

 

+1 thx

 

Pretty cool, good job!

 

the only thing that got me was "the heavy hood"
nice add on though

 

My 77 prop has 2 mounting spots at the hood end, but I'm sure I can make it work with 1 long bracket to attach this to. After reading your explanation I think I will put it on my list also. Thanks again.

 

Thanks for the update. I think this is a neat idea. I may have to try it. Thanks for the post and the part #s.

 

There is a vendor, although I can't remember which one, that sells one in a kit for around 120.00. It has been shown on the forum before but theirs is pricey.

 

OOOOOOOOOOKAAAAAAAAAAAAY

 

Speed Direct has been selling a kit for this for a few years now. There used to be a member here called Durango Boy that made one and posted it here that they copied and started selling. They sell their kit for $135! This has been a project I want to do on my car, just haven't gottten around to it yet. Thanks for posting the info.

http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp?Cc=HOOD&Bc=

 

I didn't mean to short the op on my previous thread. Just wanted to mention someone has this for sale at a much much larger price. Thanks for the info especially part numbers. That alone saves on time spent on the project. Thanks again

 

No problem, and it's cool that you found someone selling these. I didn't know anyone did. I just thought it up and did it. But it makes sense that a retailer would charge much more for a kit. They did all the engineering and development on their kit. They need to make a profit, and the place I referenced for the parts is a distributor. The company offering the kit is paying the same prices for their kit's parts as you and I are. It just happens SPD Gas Springs will sell to an individual as well as a business. When you order you are paying wholesale prices for these parts. These SPD gas springs are exceptionally high quality pieces. Definitely not Walmart crap. I chose them through careful research. I'm not out for money, I just want to spread the word on a great idea to support fellow Corvette lovers. I really love my 'Vette. I've wanted one my whole life. After 5 years owning and driving it, I still get a thrill looking out the window at it in my driveway. No other car makes me feel that way.

P.S.: Oh,man. I hope I don't get that company cheesed off at me for undercutting on their business! They may be a paid supporting vendor. I don't want the administrators to delete my postings and sock me with a bunch of "bad boy" demerits over an inadvertent violation of forum policy. You really have to be careful on this forum with spreading your ideas. The paid vendors are the darlings of the administrators. If any of them think you are hurting their business-BANG!-the hammer comes down on the insignificant little non-paying member. So, I'm Sorry to anyone who feels they have been affected negatively by my reporting of an idea I had. Please buy your hood struts from a paid forum vendor.

 

There are 10 kinds of cheerios, 10 kinds of condoms. An Idea is and Idea. You are not stepping on anyones toes. Think of it this way Dewitts fan and rad set up is all over this forum, but that does not stop someone posting and idea they used for electric fans and another brand Aluminum rad.
I highly doubt any Moderator will have a problem with what you posted

Thank you again for the info you posted.