Did the hood shock conversion

[Spook50]

Piece of cake is all I can say. Took me maybe just a bit over an hour. I reused the 2-bolt brackets that secure the spring arms to the hood itself (the ones just forward of the hinge attachments), and used existing holes in the fender that I put a 1/2" OD, 5/16" ID split washer in, a larger flat washer on each side and then the ball joint and it's solid as hell. I used 120 lb pistons from Reid Supply which are plenty strong enough to hold the hood all the way up. I probably could've used 90 lb shocks (same force as the replacement lift gate shocks that many of us have used), but the hood is a bit heavy, so I dunno. It works fantastic though, and much better than having those big coil springs and the prop there.

BTW, the front of my hood sits about 9" above the height of the prop with the shocks holding it up. I'll try to get pics this weekend showing the details.

 

[PAFJ]

Interesting......where did you come up with that idea? Can't wait to see pics.

 

[Spook50]

Interesting......where did you come up with that idea? Can't wait to see pics.

A good buddy of mine who used to have a 60 said that Downey offered a kit to convert the hoods to a shock/piston system instead of the coil springs. I never found any actual kit offered by anybody, but when I asked I was directed to a post with a couple pics showing how another Mudder had done up his hood using lift gate shocks. It's definately a sweet setup once it's all done, but those 120 lb shocks are a BEAR to compress by hand, even if it is just under an inch to get it onto the ball joint.

 

[jclark]

Pics!

A buddy of mine on here (Thetaxmonkey) was going to do a write up on his current set up using a wooden broom handle. You can screw one end into the hood and it holds real good.

I'm going to talk with him tomorrow about foregoing his idea and going with this idea instead.

PICS! PICS!

 

[thetaxmonkey]

jerk - lowcountrytlc, don't you have anything better to do at 2:43am than to bust on my broomhandle mod?

Anyway, yes the broomhandle is a PITA, so I would love to see the pics of the hood shcok conversion.

 

[VETTE60]

hey when you get some pics, post up some part #'s so we can get a laundry list.

 

[Cruzerman]

Where's the best palce to get the broomhandle and how long does it need to be?
__________________
Cruzerman
'85 FJ60
'78 FJ40

 

[agent orange]

Where's the best palce to get the broomhandle and how long does it need to be?

I get all my handles from T.J. McBroomhandles supply depot. They whittle them down to your specs while you wait. Go for the aged poplar, its the best.

 

[VETTE60]

chit chat sukas!!!!!!

 

[lowtideride]

Im gonna do the same thing in my 62, Im just gonna use them from my parts 80..