Boot Opening Kit

[jam1et]

After fitting my telescopic bonet stay I decided to fit the boot open kit at the weekend. What a simple and superb bit of kit, wish I'd bought one ages ago. Of course it goes without saying that my early 4.0 car just had to be a bit unusual with a different type of door lock mechanism to the one in the modwise instructions but I managed to adapt it ok. If anyone ever needs any help with this let me know (you should be ok though as the instructions are pretty simple).

[starmist]

I would be interested in both kits. Where did you get the bonnet one? How much was it? My ali support keeps falling off, so I carry it in the boot, which is hassle to get out as I don't have a remote boot release, etc, etc... When fitted gets very hot...lots of swearing, etc, etc.

There's a couple who attend the West Mids TVR Car Club meets with a 450 Chimera who have had a nice button fitted in the driver's door jam to replace the dash button. Live all the time, but only accessible when the door is open, so still v. secure when the car is left with the roof down.

Does anyone know of a similar kit?

[spend]

I just made one myself, adopting an earlier idea. Added the standard Metro type courtesy light to the boot (optional extra), it fits nicely by the filler neck, the cables plug or splice easily into the courtesy light connector for the hood (short run of 10-18" over the wheel arch). Add a relay and a cheap magnetic reed switch from Maplins, cable for the Boot lock runs behind carpet on wing just where I installed light, placed reed switch by filler cap (thats when I normally realise I forgot to open it!). Mounted all on a plastic panel (guttering left over from my everlasting spoiler) and covered in boot carpet - just sewed velcro on the back then it sticks down nicely to existing carpet (just need to stitch velcro as usual)

Wiring is simple, courtesy light provides you with a constant positive and negative, the other negative is switched by the door opening (& delay).

live - reed switch - relay - switched negative.
live - relay - boot lock solenoid


My worry about the pro kit was the thought of passing a Magnet(ic) truck with the doors unlocked... Boot pop! My version cost about £6 and only opens the boot when the door is open (or was recently), just got to worry about dodgy door switches....

Dave

[simpo two]

Both items are from Mod-Wise. Not sure of exact URL but you'll find them in a search.

I modified the bonnet stay myself, but the boot jobbie is very good idea.

[RichB]

simpo two said:

I modified the bonnet stay myself, but the boot jobbie is very good idea.

In what respect John? R...

[starmist]

jam1et said:

After fitting my telescopic bonet stay

Was this your own design, or did you buy it somewhere?

[simpo two]

RichB said:

simpo two said: I modified the bonnet stay myself, but the boot jobbie is very good idea. In what respect John? R...

1) At the top, I modified the dogleg bit (which falls out and has a useless grommet) by cutting it down to a simple elbow and tapping a small bolt with washer into the ally tube - so it can rotate but not come apart.
2) Upper mounting: I araldited an anodised ally extrusion (B&Q) to the length of the tube that runs between the rollers to make it more rigid.
3) Lower mounting: I fashioned a bracket from ally sheet that fits behind the expansion tank mounting bolts, thus providing a central mounting so the stay is vertical in use and not putting a sideways force on the bonnet.

It's mechanically much more sound, and the bonnet doesn't wobble nearly so much

[jam1et]

Sorry been busy the last week, wife has just had a baby.

The kits are from www.mod-wise.com Dave has lots of other goodies there as well. The boot kit is £27 but I dont know how much the bonnet stay is as I faffed around exchanging stuff and I havent got the new invoice yet. The bonnet stay is great and literally just bolts on at both ends - took all of 2 minutes to fit. Now I just lift the lid and it stays open. I also have the two stage cooling and fan over ride mods but these were done before I bought the car.

The kits I've had are well made and have fool proof instructions. Failing that, Dave will be more than willing to offer advice.


>> Edited by jam1et on Monday 1st March 14:52

[Toffer]

simpo two said:

RichB said: simpo two said: I modified the bonnet stay myself, but the boot jobbie is very good idea. In what respect John? R... 1) At the top, I modified the dogleg bit (which falls out and has a useless grommet) by cutting it down to a simple elbow and tapping a small bolt with washer into the ally tube - so it can rotate but not come apart. 2) Upper mounting: I araldited an anodised ally extrusion (B&Q) to the length of the tube that runs between the rollers to make it more rigid. 3) Lower mounting: I fashioned a bracket from ally sheet that fits behind the expansion tank mounting bolts, thus providing a central mounting so the stay is vertical in use and not putting a sideways force on the bonnet. It's mechanically much more sound, and the bonnet doesn't wobble nearly so much

It is also worth putting some self-adhesive electronic insulating shim on top of the N/S wing to protect it from chaffing from the end of the bonnet support.

[starmist]

The bonnet kit from Mod-wise is £45.00 Apparently it takes quite a while to make. Still it's a pay once, enjoy the benefits for ever syndrome.

[jam1et]

simpo two said:

It's mechanically much more sound, and the bonnet doesn't wobble nearly so much

Good idea. The one from modwise tackles the problem by having a curved plate at the top where it braces against the underside of the bonnet thus giving more support.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Fitted the Mod-wise bonnet stay at the weekend - great job. The bolt to secure the stay on the N/S wing is a tad too long. Just trim it a couple of millimetres with a hacksaw and file to 45 degree edges and hey
presto.
The boot light kit is also a must for the die hards who use the car on a regular basis and very good value. Simply plugs into the 2 spare wires from the boot release kit (all from David at mod-wise).
FFG

[jam1et]

Thinking of getting that light kit. It's an led kit isnt it? Where/how are the lights mounted?

>> Edited by jam1et on Tuesday 2nd March 11:09

[FlipFlopGriff]

Mounted on the underside by the rear lights - one either side. Make sure you aks David to do 2 lights. The leds are very light (no pun intended) and attach to a piece of velcro (about 2 inch by 3/4 inch) and stick to the carpet with no problem. They give off a slightly blue light but are a great improvement on seeing f***all.
£18 well spent.
FFG

[starmist]

Crikey, he'll be doing ABS, aircon and airbags next!

Cruise control anyone?

[joolzb]

Just finished fitting both of mine. Mine also needed a very slight mod to the door locking mech but pretty simple and it worked first time. Bonnet stay took about 10 mins, 2 top bits of gear.