Trunk Lid

TX79Z28 · 03-31-2009, 02:04:58 PM

I was contemplating removing the trunk springs and going with a strut-type system like some of the later cars have. I have an idea how to mount it, but I don't know if it's feasible. Has anyone done this conversion? If so, what strut, mounts, etc did you use? any pics?

Matt T · 03-31-2009, 03:09:11 PM

Sorry, no help here, but I am wondering why. The springs used on our cars are approaching 40 years old and they still work. Struts often fail in 5-10.

It's your car, do what you want, but I try not to fix things that aren't broke (too many things that are broke, or rusted, or...)

Moving to the practical side, I'm sure it can be done. I would look at wood working magazines for articles on lid supports for toy chests are similar to figure out correct geometry. Shouldn't need too much force.

Good luck

Kamikaze · 03-31-2009, 04:03:00 PM

IMO, it would look different and unique, however you would lose (what little), valuable space in the truck you have to mount the struts and have them retract so that the lid closes fully.

If you are really going to do this right, you might want to consider engineering a system with folding retractable arms or scissor action, that would be mounted in the area of the stock trunk springs but I can imagine it would be even more weight for no real benefit than doing something different...

krabben1 · 03-31-2009, 04:35:10 PM

Someone did it here 1 or two years ago.Try a search in this section.I remember finish pictures.Something about a side mounted plate and a bolt thru the bottom of the shock.

TX79Z28 · 03-31-2009, 05:06:31 PM

Well, the reason I want to do it is probably not a good one. It's not to be different or anything like that. When I removed the trunk lid, I don't know if did something wrong, but the springs seem to be messed up. The driver's side has LOTS of tension, and the passenger side seems to be OK. This is what I feel by pushing down on the hinge itself, since the lid is off. I guess I don't understand how they work, or how to adjust them for proper tension. If someone could walk me through the process of adjusting the tension, it would help me a lot

krabben1 · 03-31-2009, 07:22:00 PM

If its a spoiler car,one torsion rod is thicker than the other.So,one hinge would be harder to push down than the other.But,over time,they do wear.Did it open and close fine before you took off the decklid?

TX79Z28 · 03-31-2009, 08:55:25 PM

It did open fine before removing the lid, and it is an original spoiler car...so I guess that would make sense. I guess when I saw the big difference in tension from one side to other, I figued the springs were shot or I had done something wrong when removing the trunk (don't know how ANYONE even me...could screw that up)

chevy77 · 04-01-2009, 12:49:19 AM

in my chiltons there is a way to adjust them i never had any luck though there is a ladder lookin piece of metal flat on one side and slotted on the other with 3 or four slots and the end of the spring can be moved up or down the slot holes to tighten the spring or loosen it it will take a screwdriver to move em and i forgot which way adds tension and which way relaxes it. they are located in the trunk, under the hinge

TX79Z28 · 04-01-2009, 04:41:17 AM

I have seen the slots you are talking about. I figured that's what they were for, but I could figure out which one was for more tension or less tension

chevy77 · 04-05-2009, 03:14:26 AM

good luck man i hate it when annoying stuff like that needs to happen lol