Longer Gas Struts Rear Canopy

[crafty]

Is anyone using longer gas struts so that the rear opens further?

If so can you please advise:

1. Where you bought them
2. The part number.
3. Whether you just moved the body end mount forward, of you changed both mounting points.

[spatz]

why use this at all ?
I have not fitted them and it seems my ride height is just about right so if I open the clam it is not touching the floor, Cannot open any more !

[Steve_D]

On my clip if I open it any further the hinge is against the body and any further travel would rip it from the GF.

Steve

[V8Dom]

Im sure there are 2 different lengths available by the factory as some of the American cars ive seen the clip is almost vertical when open.. I cant do it to mine as I have a rear towing hook restricting opening angles...

Dom

[Pb3]

As Steve says... When building I had a slight incident and lost hold of the rear clip when trial fitting - result broke one side and had to rebond the hinge fitting back in, because the clip hits the chassis. You may be able to clear it more, but another limiting factor (for me anyway) is with the rear towing eye that is fixed to the bottom chassis rail.

[ROWDYRENAULT]

The clip is limited in travel by rules in England that require the emergencey tail lights be visible from behind with the rear hood up. Thus the factory limits the angle by installing short gas struts. I have moded my GTR by eliminating the gas struts and installing a rod that is pinned in place when the hood is up so that the hood is prohibited from falling either closed or beyond center to further opened where it would make contact with the frame and life would get ugly. The convience of working on the car with the hood nearly verticle is way to convienant for me to ever go back to the factory strut. I tried early on to find a strut that had a longer throw to allow the hood to open further but you get into a geometry problem quickly. If anyone has solved the problem and come up with a gas strut and a change in mount point that will allow the hood to go verticle or near verticle I am all ears. Lee

[V8Dom]

Have you thought of mounting the gas struts you have closer on the clip to the pivot..(ie lower when clip closed)

As you open the clip, the ratio of movement will be less therefore the clip will open more...

Dom

[bluesatin]

Just fit a second nipple allowing to unclip the ram and move it until fully open.

[Storer]

Lee's comment about the UK rules is correct.

I have seen a car that has the mount on the clip lowered which gives a much wider opening with the standard struts. It will take a bit of time to work out but it is possible.

Paul

[V8Dom]

here you go, i knew i had some photos somewhere

USA car... have a close look where the factory has mounted strut on the clip.



And uk car



Dom

[V8Dom]

and here is another idea for you..



relocating the strut mount is the easiest option... wheel off clip shut, (strut compressed I know that will be a pain) and find the lowest point on the arch it will mount to... I would put a plate each side to strengthen the attatchment as so close to the edge too.

Dom

[crafty]

Thanks Dom.... the first pic looks like the easy solution. I agree about adding plates to stiffen.

[V8Dom]

always a pleasure to help..
hope you are well and getting on well with your 356..

Dom

[k wright]

Just did this to my GTR and I'm kicking myself for not doing it 10 years ago.
The photo of the yellow car above has the ends of the struts located at the bottom corner of the wheel house and....the front of the rear upper a arm bushing.

I kept the bottom of the strut at the rear of the upper a arm bushings and the upper end is 3 inches from the bottom edge and 2.5 inches from the front edge of the wheel house. This allows the engine cover to open all the way, within 1/2 inch of the ground.

[dobx]

k wright said:

Just did this to my GTR and I'm kicking myself for not doing it 10 years ago.
The photo of the yellow car above has the ends of the struts located at the bottom corner of the wheel house and....the front of the rear upper a arm bushing.

I kept the bottom of the strut at the rear of the upper a arm bushings and the upper end is 3 inches from the bottom edge and 2.5 inches from the front edge of the wheel house. This allows the engine cover to open all the way, within 1/2 inch of the ground.

Do you have a picture you can post? Did you relocate both ends of the strut or only the top end? Did you install any plates for support since the strut mount is close to the edge?

[dobx]

I finished with this mod, and it's definitely worth doing. One thing to watch out for is that the new location of the nipple can interfere with the rear tire. I cut off the excess of the threaded side of the nipple to ensure good clearance. 3.0" from the bottom and 2.5" from the front edge seems to be the ideal new position. I left the lower end of the strut at its original location.

[macgtech]

What about using a wire lanyard?

[Steve_D]

macgtech said:

What about using a wire lanyard?

Not good if a gust of wind catches it and slams it shut.

steve

[Storer]

Steve_D said:

Not good if a gust of wind catches it and slams it shut.

steve

Especially if you are working under there at the time!!!!


Paul