How To: S10 Hood Strut Install

[raven2510]

How To: S10 Hood Strut Install

Ok, so after reading a thread over on S10Forum about installing gas/spring struts on the hood so that you don't have to use the prop rod, I decided it would be a neat mod to do. So here we go...

Cost:
$4.50 – Rivets
$12+Shipping – 10mm Ball Stud brackets
$25+Shipping – 16” Strut, 40lbs Force
^^All these can be found on ebay in the Store Strut Your Stuff Here

Tools needed:
Power Drill
3/16” Drill Bit
Center Punch or Scratch All
Rivet Gun that will use 3/16” Rivets
Flat head screwdriver

Supplies Needed:
8 – 3/16” x 1/2” Rivets
4 – 3/16” Washers
2 – Gas Strut ball angle bracket mount 10mm (inside)
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301787273
2 – Gas Strut ball angle bracket mount 10mm (outside)
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301787253
2 – 16” Gas Spring Strut with 35-40lbs Force
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301787227

First step is to open your hood. Then on either side find the rubber bumper closest to the cab. You can then set the bracket on the lip next to the rubber bumper. The spacing doesn't have to be exact. If you mount with the spacing in the pic, you will be good. Mark the holes with a center punch or scratch all.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301787495

Second, drill your holes with the 3/16” Drill Bit. Make sure that you go slow so that you don't hit your drill on the fender.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301787700

Third, place 2 of the washers over the holes like so.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301860267

Forth, use the outside facing ball stud bracket, and rivet it in to place like in the picture.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301860513

Now repeat steps 1-4 again on the other side. Here is a pic of the passenger side just for reference.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301861044

Now for the top its basically the same. You will need to use the inside facing bracket to mark your holes. You will need to center the brackets ball stud on the the bends on the hood like in the picture.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301861211

Then using your rivet gun, rivet the bracket so that the ball stud is facing in towards the engine bay.
(This pic is from the passenger side)
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301861403

Now, do these last 2 steps on the other side. That will be it for the drilling.

Next is to mount the struts. Before you mount them, compress them a few times so that the fluid inside them is mixed and they work well. You need to mount them with the cylinder on the top. You will have to remove the clips that hold them onto the ball studs. You can remove them by using a flat headed screwdriver to pry them off. Here is a pic with them pried up.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301862491

Then just push the struts onto the ball studs. You will have to lift the hood a tiny bit to get it on. Then you will just slide the clips back down to where they were. This will lock the ball studs into the struts. Here's a pic of both sides installed.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301862715

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301863058

Now that both sides are done, remove the the hood prop rod and close the hood. Then reopen it. Here's a completed pic of both sides.
http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z40 ... 1301863469

And that’s it. Now marvel at not having that prop rod in the way when you wanna work on your engine. This mod originally done by Dropped'01 on S10Forum.com.

Tad

[saab9k]

very nice job.

I am going to do that too.

[04crewvt]

Very nice

[Serge PETIT]

Very interesting !

[So fine ZR5]

Quite impressive!! i think I will look into that also!! Looks like you have hit a nerve to a few of us on this! thanks

[raven2510]

Good. Hopefully this can get a sticky.

[LoneWolf04]

Ordered a set of 40# struts from the guy on ebay along with stainless steel brackets to paint and match the truck. This needs to be put into the modifications section. Will be glad to have the hood prop rod out of the way!

[F9K9]

Nice mod!! I'm going to temporarily "Sticky" it here but, whether it stays or gets moved is entirely up to Brule. He has the final say in the matter and I respect any decision that he makes.

[paintballrocker]

ordering the parts for this monday when i get paid. ive been wanting to do this for awhile!

[ZQ8 Blazer]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but will these struts work?
Fully extended … 16 inches … Fully retracted … 9.5 inches (center to center of the ball socket)

Diameter rod = 8mm / tube = 18mm

End thread = M6x1.0, Ball size =10mm

40 pound force at rest (full extension)