[Quiet Lunatic]

As many of you know, I make the brackets for the Hood Gas Shocks Mod. They attach the Gas Shocks to the hood and utilize the ball mounting already attached to the Nitro engine compartment. This mod makes the prop rod redundant and the shocks hold up the hood. See pics below.
If anyone wants to do this mod but cannot make the brackets themselves, I would gladly supply them. Just send me a PM and I'll explain the cost and shipping in more details.

 

[Waldorf]

Graham...
I found a place (auto parts place on the way home) that could order in some hood lift supports for a '96 Ford Taurus (the same one's you are using) and I should be able to get them tomorrow. They said they are made by Monroe.

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Good one John, post part #'s when you get them just in case someone else needs the info.

 

[Waldorf]

I need to get busy now and paint those fantastic brackets CL fabricated so I can complete this mod! I want to get one of those billet grilles or are they called bumper grilles for the area below the front bumper where the A/C cooler is. I want to protect that from accidental damage from highway debris!

 

[Waldorf]

Good one John, post part #'s when you get them just in case someone else needs the info.

Ok, I got the gas shocks from the auto parts place (CarQuest in Hamilton, ON):

They didn't sell the little knobby thingies the top end of the shocks need to affix to the brackets. So, I went to my dealer and bought a pair:

But, these knobby thingies are too big to fit into the end of the gas shocks. I guess I need to grind them down to size!!

I thought I would have everything I needed to finish this off, but not yet!!

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Hey John, you should be able to get the "little knobby thingies" in a smaller size. Be careful if you do grind them down, if they are too small they might fall out.
After fitting remember to close the hood very carefully on the first attempt just to make sure nothing hits and the gas shocks compress.
Good luck and lets see some of your pics.
Hey, how about putting my step by step instructions into a "how to" for everyone else to see...

 

[Waldorf]

Hey John, you should be able to get the "little knobby thingies" in a smaller size. Be careful if you do grind them down, if they are too small they might fall out.
After fitting remember to close the hood very carefully on the first attempt just to make sure nothing hits and the gas shocks compress.
Good luck and lets see some of your pics.
Hey, how about putting my step by step instructions into a "how to" for everyone else to see...

Graham,
Thanks for the additional information and warnings, that's why I posted my "progress" (if you can call it that) on this mini-mod. I don't know where else to get those knobby thingies from....any suggestions? The auto parts store said i need to get them off of a car!! That makes no sense coming from an auto parts supplier! I almost fell on the floor laughing. he wasn't impressed, but i didn't care, I thought that was a stupid answer to my question. He could've just said he doesn't stock them.

Which instructions are those you are referring to? The paper that came with the brackets in the mail?

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

I think I pm'd you some installation instructions just after you received them.

I had the larger ones too but I turned them down on the lathe at work. I'm just trying to think of an easy and safe way for you turn reduce their size. You could file them down but that might take a while. You can grind them with a soft disc as opposed to a hard disc but just do a little at a time and keep checking the fit till your happy with it. It's easier taking material off then putting it on..

 

[Waldorf]

Thanks buddy! I have one filed down to the point where it will fit nicely into the socket end of the shock and I can replace the metal retainer clippy thingy. It seems secure and I can't pull it off with my manly grip! :chuckle:

Now I have to repeat the filing step on the second one, paint the brackets, install the suckers, and do the how-to!!! :i_rolleyes: Good thing I'm on vacation!

hahaha!

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Vacation, what's that? I haven't had a day off this year!!!!!

 

[Pshrynk]

Big thank you to Canadianlimey

I just received a set of his brackets for a more than fair price.



They are very very very well done :smileup:

 

[GunnarsNitro]

Received the brackets from Canadianlimey today. I am very pleased with the craftsmanship!! These look factory made, have rounded corners, no burrs and nicely primed!
Thanks man! Will post pics as soon as I have the shocks.

 

[Waldorf]

let me know how you guys make out with finding the correct shocks and mounting hardware (I call them "knobby thingies"). I bought some shocks but they are WAY WAY too strong! Couldn't find the right sized ball studs either.

 

[Quiet Lunatic]

Just glad to help you guys out. Now we need to find a good shock supplier over here in Canada.

 

[GunnarsNitro]

Have trouble finding MightyLift shocks here in my woods, so I went out and found a 'conversion' site for Strongarm and Steadylift. According to the MightyLift number 95230, the shock is for a Honda CRX 88-91 hatch. This references over to a Strongarm 4611 or a Steadylift C072 - 652.
Will order the Strongarm today and see how it goes..

http://www.arvinmeritor.com/products/mcs/aftermarket/app1.asp

Gunnar

 

[Waldorf]

I've been emailing back and forth with Lou from liftsupportsdepot.com and he quoted me this:

http://www.autopartsbylou.com/auto-parts-search.php?first=SG226010

It seems, the MightyLift 95230 has over 70lbs of pressure, which is WAY to much, almost double the pressure required. These ones for the Honda CRX are quoted as 44ils and the uncompressed and compressed lengths are in the proper range. They come with the ball stud thingies also! I ordered a pair late yesterday, should get them in a week or two!

 

[Waldorf]

UPDATE: I got my lift supports in the mail today from liftsupportsdepot.com and they seem to be the one's required for this application. They came with the little knobbie thingies too! Now i need to find the correct bolts and I'm ready to put these things on my Nitro!!! :Banana01::Banana01:

 

[thedodgeman]

please let us know how the lower pressure shocks work

 

[Waldorf]

please let us know how the lower pressure shocks work

I think these will work great! The ones I bought previously had the wrong sized ball socket thingie on the upper end and I had all sorts of trouble finding the correct sized ball stud thingies. I evenutally found some larger ones and filed them down, but I didn't feel good about them. Then I tried to install the gas shocks I purchased, but they were almost 2x the pressure required. I couldn't even compress them at all manully.

I PM'd Lou and he set me up with the correct shocks and the correct ball stud thingies. These shocks can be compressed manually, so I think they will work. I just have to find the correct bolts now and I'm ready to go! :wiggle2:

 

[Waldorf]

Ok, success finally! :bis:

I got some M8 (metric) sized nuts today at Home Depot, the kind with the plastic inserts. I guess they are considered locking nuts. I dunno, I ain't no mechanic, eh!