Gas Shocks for hood - on sale C$3.88ea

[snowsquirrel]

Hello to all,
I thought may be some members may be interested to add gas shock to their hood, now is a good time, for Canadians at least, the 17in. shocks are on sale at Princess Auto (similar to Harbor Freight in US) for C$3.88ea!

I got a couple to try out, and it fits with a little trial & error.

To assemble the ball pin, I use tape to hold the nut (not included) to my finger to reach behind the sheet metal. It worked.

[tmontague]

Grabbin these tomorrow, thanks for the heads up!

Did you use existing holes or did you have to drill holes?

[snowsquirrel]

I drilled new holes and added grease on screws. BTW I enlarged the front mounting hole to allow some pivoting movement when lowering the hood, so don't tighten the front screw all the way.

[snowsquirrel]

On second thought, the base location could be moved forward by a couple of inches, so that you can reached with regular drill bit. I had to use a long drill bit to reach into the back! (not many members have long bits):frown:

Hence you need to adjust the hood mount location accordingly.

[Bluevitz-rs]

good idea

[bronsin]

I like the tape the nut to your finger idea! Thats gonna come in handy!

Hood Shocks for the wifes 05 Camry run $40 up.

[tmontague]

Thanks to Snowsquirrel for the heads up on the cheap price and for giving me the info needed for me to finally do this mod that I've been putting off.

Works great and looks even better. I used the tape to finger method posted above to screw down the ballpin. I used some blue loctight as I couldn't find the locking nuts. I couldn't get the nut very snug so we'll see if it'll hold. If not then I'll install a proper locking nut. That said I only drilled the hole for the ballpin just large enough so it sort of threaded itself into the sheet metal.

If the nut does come loose the ball pin can not just fall out. I used self tapping sheet metal screws with one washer to hold down the base. I snugged them fairly tight and there is no play in them. I painted the holes and let them dry before I installed the hardware. I also sprayed the hole with anti rust before and after the install just to be on the same side.

I bought an extra strut just in case one blows in the near future. for $3.88 why not.
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14390909_10154558974307743_6548986821157595430_n.j pg?oh=c37a4d0e17d1e966190509b68325506f&oe=58612880

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14446234_10154558974557743_9142966540288467685_n.j pg?oh=7df059d7191dbc01d2539ba76145f34f&oe=588058BC

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14470641_10154558974712743_3388080349777134836_n.j pg?oh=c2f3e52c43f9142664cd461207426185&oe=587ABDFC

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14502966_10154558974812743_3221976888918702468_n.j pg?oh=ae5862635ead57d19e47667f32951ddf&oe=5874C73E

https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14484915_10154558974887743_3684881917556393287_n.j pg?oh=d8b4d2a7c3509e63f9e042b536d404e2&oe=5875E73D

As a side note I mounted the base of the struts a little more the the middle then the OP did. I did this so that I had a nice flat surface to mount them. The actual hood angle is virtually the exact same as with the oem hood prop.

****Make sure you drill one hole first for your base and then drill one top hole. Do a soft install and test by lightly closing the hood. I have one extra hole drilled on the passenger side because it was too short and wouldn't let the hood close all the way as the strut was bottoming out before it was fully closed.

[bronsin]

Are you going to put one on the gas cap cover to keep it open too?:iono:

[tmontague]

I might have, if gravity worked on objects with a vertical hinge...

[snowsquirrel]

Great install tmontague! You have better approach than I. Probably you should vacuum up those drill shavings, avoid rust.

The problem with keeping spare is to find it when in time of need, I've many spares in my garage for a lot of projects, but when in need, I usually run to the store for it.

If the shock is shorter, we could have one for each dash storage door!:biggrin: Not the gas cap cover! Wait a minute, I do have short shocks somewhere, have to go rummaging in the garage!

[snowsquirrel]

look what I found, wee little gas shock, also from PrincessAuto, I bought it ages ago! just don't have any application for it, but can't pass on with a price tag of C$0.82!!!

It has about 1 3/4 in stroke, not much really, too short for the dash door, may be the gas door?? :laugh:

[ern-diz]

This thread is pure win :biggrin:

[David C]

Do you need to install a shock on each side ? I bought one similar to yours and it's not strong enough to keep the hood up. Also, what are the fully compressed and fully extended lengths of your gas shock ? Mine is 17" fully extended and 11-3/4" fully compressed, with a stroke of 6-1/4". Measured from base pivot pin to ball pin.

[tmontague]

I don't know the measurement off hand but you'll need to use 2 to properly support the hood

[David C]

I finally had time to do the install yesterday after getting a second strut. I couldn't get mine installed the same way as tmontague did because they would bottom out when closing, I had to really get them back further like snowsquirrel did. It wasn't easy to figure out where to position the base and then where to fasten the ball joint to get everything right.

Tape on the finger worked flawlessly, great idea.

[mf4361]

I wonder if the same shock can be installed for the trunk lid on 4Dr Sedan?

[David C]

I wonder if the same shock can be installed for the trunk lid on 4Dr Sedan?

Perhaps, since you simply have to position the shock to match it's travel to the travel of the trunk. They're inexpensive enough to be worth buying one to tinker with.