2G Check out my sweet hood struts

[PlanZero]

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These are hood struts for a Chrysler 300 or challenger. Cost $18 shipped from eBay and have a 3 year warranty (brand- Wisconsin automotive supply).
I bought a pack of ball studs off amazon 10mm (3/8) ball, m6 1.0 pitch to match the stock bolt size.
Drilled and tapped one hole on each hood hinge, used a lock washer and bam. Much cheaper than the kits.

 

[MindBlowin03]

Great idea. I'm going to have to look into that.

 

[Diamond Star Werks]

The hood closes without issue?

 

[gst-turbo]

How long have you had them the hood is heavy

 

[PlanZero]

I put them on a couple days ago, and I've been deliberately leaving my hood open while I'm at home to see if the sag. These are designed for a Chrysler 300 which has a heavier hood and mounts in almost the same locations. Closes perfectly.

 

[JDT]

That looks clean and doesn't take up a lot of space like some kits do. I've considered trying 03-07 Accord hood struts on my 2G, they have an L bracket on one end and might bolt up directly. Your idea looks more cost effective though, $18 is not bad at all.

 

[serviceguy]

What is the length of the struts when the hood is closed? I wouldn't mind to install them on my 1G...

 

[PlanZero]

I considered the accord struts, but I didn't want to take a chance on the brackets.
I just took a chance on these http://m.ebay.com/itm/2-New-Front-H...m-Charger-Challenger-/141944932733?nav=SEARCH
since I wasn't sure about fitment, but I know strongarm also makes them albeit a little more expensive, or you can find them on rock auto. Some brands come with ball studs but most are m8 or m10 which would require tapping the fender bolt hole a little bigger and having to make a bigger hole in the hinge which I wasn't comfortable with. The only problem was the fact that the 10mm ball, m6 1.0 ball studs are a little hard to find, so I wound up having to pay $15 for a 6 pack on amazon. I plan on putting a heftier washer on the fender mounting point.

 

[miliman13]

Dude this is awesome !!! I applaud you on your creativity!!!

 

[PlanZero]

Thanks. Just took some time on eBay finding the proper length struts. Be forwarned, however, because you have to really open the hood to get them to fit initially, like to the point you feel like your going to hyperextend the hinge. Without the hood prop my hood is now about 1.5" more open. I believe the hood struts for a BMW E series are about .5" shorter, but they're more expensive. I was worried these wouldn't fit at first.
Side benefit, I had a hood hinge rattle which is now gone.

 

[miliman13]

Side picture?

 

[JDT]

Without the hood prop my hood is now about 1.5" more open.

That's great actually, the prop is frustrating to work around and the hood drops noticeably lower for it to line up in the hole, again limiting work space.

 

[MindBlowin03]

Side picture?

x2

 

[ceedawg]

Thanks for such a great idea! I just ordered mines with your link,now I have to order the other piece from amazon. Do you have a link for that as well? Again great job my friend!

I considered the accord struts, but I didn't want to take a chance on the brackets.
I just took a chance on these http://m.ebay.com/itm/2-New-Front-H...m-Charger-Challenger-/141944932733?nav=SEARCH
since I wasn't sure about fitment, but I know strongarm also makes them albeit a little more expensive, or you can find them on rock auto. Some brands come with ball studs but most are m8 or m10 which would require tapping the fender bolt hole a little bigger and having to make a bigger hole in the hinge which I wasn't comfortable with. The only problem was the fact that the 10mm ball, m6 1.0 ball studs are a little hard to find, so I wound up having to pay $15 for a 6 pack on amazon. I plan on putting a heftier washer on the fender mounting point.

I considered the accord struts, but I didn't want to take a chance on the brackets.
I just took a chance on these http://m.ebay.com/itm/2-New-Front-H...m-Charger-Challenger-/141944932733?nav=SEARCH
since I wasn't sure about fitment, but I know strongarm also makes them albeit a little more expensive, or you can find them on rock auto. Some brands come with ball studs but most are m8 or m10 which would require tapping the fender bolt hole a little bigger and having to make a bigger hole in the hinge which I wasn't comfortable with. The only problem was the fact that the 10mm ball, m6 1.0 ball studs are a little hard to find, so I wound up having to pay $15 for a 6 pack on amazon. I plan on putting a heftier washer on the fender mounting point.

I need to replace the rears as well

 

[PlanZero]

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Link for ball studs
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004711K9I/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1464618963&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=10mm ball stud m6&dpPl=1&dpID=51EzknmvV7L&ref=plSrch
As you can see the studs i got are kind of long. I chose to tap the hole through the hinge and hood for extra support (actually the bit just punched through the hood by accident, but it works well) You may choose to just cut the length a bit if you're anal about your hood, or try to trim it and fit a nut behind the hinge.

you can also see the failed attempt on the first mounting hole in the first pic. You must mount the strut at the point I did so it can properly support the hood! Any lower and it won't work.

 

[ceedawg]

Side view

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Link for ball studs

 

[PlanZero]

Link for ball studs

Edited previous post. You may be able to source these locally; check a marine or RV supply.

 

[ceedawg]

Edited previous post. You may be able to source these locally; check a marine or RV supply.

I was checking amazon hoping to find it. Previous post you have says thats where you went. Np guess i will search.

 

[ceedawg]

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Link for ball studs
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004711K9I/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1464618963&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=10mm ball stud m6&dpPl=1&dpID=51EzknmvV7L&ref=plSrch
As you can see the studs i got are kind of long. I chose to tap the hole through the hinge and hood for extra support (actually the bit just punched through the hood by accident, but it works well) You may choose to just cut the length a bit if you're anal about your hood, or try to trim it and fit a nut behind the hinge.

you can also see the failed attempt on the first mounting hole in the first pic. You must mount the strut at the point I did so it can properly support the hood! Any lower and it won't work.

Thanks for the link just see that you edited! Just ordered these you're the man!

 

[simplejoe]

This is a great Idea. Thanks for sharing.

Now I wonder how many you'll see at the shootout done like this. Lol

 

[Denvario]

I was not going to do this because I couldn't find a kit that was factory look but I'm sold on this I'm doing this immediately

 

[ceedawg]

My kit showed up last Thursday. Will install this week

 

[waterlance]

This looks great! Thanks for sharing. They still holding up just fine? I'll have to look into this

 

[ceedawg]

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Link for ball studs
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004711K9I/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1464618963&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=10mm ball stud m6&dpPl=1&dpID=51EzknmvV7L&ref=plSrch
As you can see the studs i got are kind of long. I chose to tap the hole through the hinge and hood for extra support (actually the bit just punched through the hood by accident, but it works well) You may choose to just cut the length a bit if you're anal about your hood, or try to trim it and fit a nut behind the hinge.

you can also see the failed attempt on the first mounting hole in the first pic. You must mount the strut at the point I did so it can properly support the hood! Any lower and it won't work.

what size bit and tap did you use to make the hole in the hinge?

 

[Chumpaumpalumpa]

Just ordered for my 1G will update when I go to install. I think they'll be too short so we'll see what I have to do.