Hood pistons instead of hinges ?

[john 67]

I've done a search here with no answers so far . Has anyone replaced spring hinges with gas pistons ? I am doing an s-10 ( 52 GMC } conversion and my clutch master will interfere with the hood spring with my layout . I have a few options such as moving brake assembly over a bit or a smaller brake booster but still trying to keep with stock s-10 parts . Thanks John

[dsraven]

snap a few pics, right side up, so we know what the heck you are talking about.

[mongocanfly]

. I've seen one on here somewhere that someone did a conversion to gas pistons but I don't remember who it was. Switch to hydraboost brakes and save a lot of room and have better brakes.

[GreasyLikeaBurger]

Originally Posted by dsraven

snap a few pics, right side up, so we know what the heck you are talking about.

He wants to install modern type gas strut/piston instead of the hinges, like modern cars. Some still have the support rod that you have to flip out ot hold the hood open.

It can be done. You would have to find some that are able to support something as heavy as the hood is. I might suggest looking at ones from tailgates on a SUV. The rear hatches are heavy and the struts are built strong enough to hold them up. Or even some for a pick up truck hard tonneau cover.

Its actually a good idea. Just need to mock them up and make sure they dont have clearance issues when you close it all the way down.

[mr48chev]

You are still going to have to have some sort of hinge and creating one that will pull the hood both down and back might be a real challenge.

I had a pretty big and ugly brake booster on my 48 for a few years and didn't have any trouble with hood hinge clearance. I'd wonder if you have the setup mounted too far to the left and too high or ?

[Nev68]

Like this?
http://www.eddiemotorsports.com/prod...7-chevy-truck/

[john 67]

Thanks for the replys . Sorry no pics right now but will post soon . Htdraboost is an option , I actually just took a unit out of an astrovan and will see if that may work . moving the pedal assemblys to the right may be another option .I need to measure the travel needed and look for some pistons at the u pull it yard , not sure if removing the springed hinge and replacing with the gas shock will change any geometry or function but willing to experiment .I will post my results . JOHN

[Rickysnickers]

You are referring to something like this, correct? http://www.jcwhitney.com/replacement.../p3038723.jcwx

[01spirit750]

Originally Posted by Nev68

Like this?
http://www.eddiemotorsports.com/prod...7-chevy-truck/

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has purchased these.

[OrrieG]

If you go that route the piston rod and mech will probably take up the same vertical space as the stock hinge. And from experience using them on heavy furniture hope chest lids you have to get the mounting points and working mechanics just right or they will destroy the brackets and what they are mounted to. With the ones used for wood, the shaft ends are designed to pop out before the bracket tears up the wood.

[_Ogre]

mcmaster carr has gas strutts 4'' to 40'' and in lbs of force up to 400 lbs force
i have designed them on many industrial applications and then on the tonneau and trunk on my 58 truk
i have also designed a few hood strut kits for new cars to replace the hood prop rod
it takes a little engineering to figure out the pivot points, length and force required



i did not use this design the strut intruded to far into the front space, location above works fine

[_Ogre]

found this pic in my files from a local show
with the low mount at the same level as the upper mount in the closed position
this keeps the up force out of the hood when closed

[john 67]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

You are referring to something like this, correct? http://www.jcwhitney.com/replacement.../p3038723.jcwx

Yes exactly

[john 67]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

found this pic in my files from a local show
with the low mount at the same level as the upper mount in the closed position
this keeps the up force out of the hood when closed

THANKS ,you just did all the enginering for me "a picture is worth a thousand words" JOHN

[_Ogre]

fyi... that pic shows the gas struts installed up-side-down
there is a wee bitty bit of oil in each gas shock to keep the rod seal from drying out
once the seals dry out the nitrogen gas bleeds off

i also think he chose the wrong length strut or possibly the wrong attachment points
the hood should be open more