gooser

anyone used gas struts on a 66 mustang to support the weight of the hood when raised? i ask because my otherwise good hood has had the metal "weakened" where the factory hinge is. thanks

JamesW

Please elaborate on your issue. The gas struts still require a hinge mechanism to pin the hood. All the gas struts would do is replace the spring. Where was the hood 'weakened' and how did the hinge cause this?

trashline

Ive only ever seen the billit hinges from mustangs+ they use a strut IIRC and it was a tiny unit. It used the same mounting points the stock hinge used. Maybe you can remove the springs and use a prop rod to get alittle life out of the current hood until you find another replacement.

gooser

not planning on replacing the hinges--just remove the spring and use struts to move the stress on a different point on the hood. i've seen kits (not for mustangs) that would do this , just wondered if anyone here's done it. my goal is to move part of the weight of the hood off of the hinges. i bought some new hinges from virginia mustang and they're almost as tight as the rusty ones still on the car. haven't lubed them yet.

leroman

I have been thinking about these gas struts/billet hinges for the hood from M+ or Mustangs unlimited for a while but the price is crazy ($500 +) last time i checked , anyone knows a cheaper alternative?

trashline

I think they were over 600 bucks the last time I looked.

I dont see a problem with fabricating something. Places like mcmaster carr and msc can supply the different brackets and mounting attachments.

Problem is mounting the attachment point. Most require a bolt, but Im sure you could weld it on the under side of the hood.

valley firearms

$649 to be exact. I wanted a set until I seen the price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965-...#ht_511wt_1080

JamesW

These kits are 99 bucks for the 2005 Mustang. That'd be worth buying and then fabbing up your own brackets.

http://images.latemodelrestoration.c...CDC-105108.JPG

gooser

$650? something like this is what i had in mind.http://mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProdu...82&SortOrder=1