New Design Hinges = Wide Open Bonnet
Discussion
The more I live with my car the more dissapointed I am in how shoddily engineered some aspects of this car are. I'm gradually re-engineering the bits that need it and stage one today was new bonnet hinges. I think the factory supplied hinges for T350's and Tamora's are a joke, and why make life hard when it comes to checking oil or topping up washer fluid.
So I designed these new hinges. At first I was only going to make myself a set but given how well they've turned out I thought maybe I should get a batch made if other people were interested? They use all the original hardpoints except for one extra hole for a bolt drilled about 100mm ahead of the existing pivot bolt, which is hidden under the front apron.
Original:
Mine:
Why on earth didn't TVR make this design from the start?!
So I designed these new hinges. At first I was only going to make myself a set but given how well they've turned out I thought maybe I should get a batch made if other people were interested? They use all the original hardpoints except for one extra hole for a bolt drilled about 100mm ahead of the existing pivot bolt, which is hidden under the front apron.
Original:
Mine:
Why on earth didn't TVR make this design from the start?!
Edited by ChrisPap on Sunday 5th May 16:58
Hi Guys,
Quick release pins are an option of course, and Track V Road already offer a conversion for these. I don't know what the conversion costs but I'm sure for a little extra they might be able to clean up the grind marks for you and re-plate or even just paint the hinges so they don't rust!
They use Pip Pins which work by depressing the blue button which retracts the retaining balls at the other end, and then keeping the button depressed and pulling on the 'D' ring you can pull the pin back and out. That's why it's a two man job to support the bonnet and operate the pins for removal or re-fit.
It would even be easy to incorporate the pip pins into my design hinge, but it seems a bit of an overkill to me. If you can double the opening angle of the bonnet why would you ever need to take it off except for if pulling the engine or radiator out? I also think doing it it to a standard I'd be happy with would vastly increase the cost of production because it would necessitate hinge plates machined from billet to guide and hold the bonnet hinges before pin insertion.
Still, if there is huge demand maybe I'll look into it and see what it does to the costs.....
Quick release pins are an option of course, and Track V Road already offer a conversion for these. I don't know what the conversion costs but I'm sure for a little extra they might be able to clean up the grind marks for you and re-plate or even just paint the hinges so they don't rust!
They use Pip Pins which work by depressing the blue button which retracts the retaining balls at the other end, and then keeping the button depressed and pulling on the 'D' ring you can pull the pin back and out. That's why it's a two man job to support the bonnet and operate the pins for removal or re-fit.
It would even be easy to incorporate the pip pins into my design hinge, but it seems a bit of an overkill to me. If you can double the opening angle of the bonnet why would you ever need to take it off except for if pulling the engine or radiator out? I also think doing it it to a standard I'd be happy with would vastly increase the cost of production because it would necessitate hinge plates machined from billet to guide and hold the bonnet hinges before pin insertion.
Still, if there is huge demand maybe I'll look into it and see what it does to the costs.....
Edited by ChrisPap on Monday 13th May 00:43
There has been some progress on these. I have found a company to make them and am now looking at the design options.
It is possible to make them both wide opening and with Pip-pins so that the bonnet can be quick released and re-installed, maybe even single handed. Is that a feature people would be keen on, or is opening wide enough not to need the bonnet released except for major works?
It is possible to make them both wide opening and with Pip-pins so that the bonnet can be quick released and re-installed, maybe even single handed. Is that a feature people would be keen on, or is opening wide enough not to need the bonnet released except for major works?
Hi All,
sorry for the delay on this but it's now finally moving on!
I've done some CAD drawings and they are with an engineering company for prototyping at the moment.
They will be CNC cut from mild steel and plated (or maybe stainless steel depending on desire and price)
We have looked into incorporating a quick release function as well but a useable QR system greatly increases the price and given the angle the bonnet will now open to, it doesn't seem necessary or worthwhile.
The system will use the exiting bonnet mountings, and the original hinge stud, but will require two holes drilling into the fibreglass on each side forward of the old hinge. They won't be visible from outside if you ever remove the hinge.
The engineers won't be drawn on price until the first unit is finished (which I will trial) but I am currently estimating the pricing will be around 250 pound mark, but I will update this as the details come together.
For now, to help me get a handle on the order, can those of you interested please place your name in the list below?
Thanks,
Chris
sorry for the delay on this but it's now finally moving on!
I've done some CAD drawings and they are with an engineering company for prototyping at the moment.
They will be CNC cut from mild steel and plated (or maybe stainless steel depending on desire and price)
We have looked into incorporating a quick release function as well but a useable QR system greatly increases the price and given the angle the bonnet will now open to, it doesn't seem necessary or worthwhile.
The system will use the exiting bonnet mountings, and the original hinge stud, but will require two holes drilling into the fibreglass on each side forward of the old hinge. They won't be visible from outside if you ever remove the hinge.
The engineers won't be drawn on price until the first unit is finished (which I will trial) but I am currently estimating the pricing will be around 250 pound mark, but I will update this as the details come together.
For now, to help me get a handle on the order, can those of you interested please place your name in the list below?
Thanks,
Chris
Hi Guys,
thanks for the comments but to be fair the price is a total guess on my part. The company doesn't want to commit to a price until the prototype is tested, I just know the first set is costing me 'up to' 400 quid.
It's a chicken and egg scenario but I put an absolute top line expected production price for a small batch and hopefully there is enough interest that I can order a batch of 20 or so, and that will bring the price down to something quite reasonable. If not, I'll keep the first set for me and that'll be it.
I'm not a parts company and I won't be making money or going into business, just trying to share with the community. Unfortunately quality costs, which is why the standard hinges are what they are....
thanks for the comments but to be fair the price is a total guess on my part. The company doesn't want to commit to a price until the prototype is tested, I just know the first set is costing me 'up to' 400 quid.
It's a chicken and egg scenario but I put an absolute top line expected production price for a small batch and hopefully there is enough interest that I can order a batch of 20 or so, and that will bring the price down to something quite reasonable. If not, I'll keep the first set for me and that'll be it.
I'm not a parts company and I won't be making money or going into business, just trying to share with the community. Unfortunately quality costs, which is why the standard hinges are what they are....
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