Hood strut kit

[78 Mach1]

Has anyone came up with a Hood strut kit that works on our Mustang II? I want to delete the prop rod. I did a google search and they have strut kits for the Fox body Mustang. I even found a strut kit for the Pinto. But I couldn’t find a strut kit specifically designed for our Mustangs. Does anyone know if one exists? I’m tempted to order the Redline kit for the Pinto and modify it to work.

Any help or advice is much appreciated

 

[89ripper]

From lilcbra's thread

Progress Thread Post in thread 'The next "big" project for my Cobra'

Apr 5, 2023

The brackets for the hood struts finally showed up today, so I went out and got them put in real quick. No more hood prop rod!

Obviously, I'll hang onto it, struts are only good for so long....

But - if anyone is interested in doing the same, here are the pieces I ordered.

Amazon product ASIN B078SHN1YP
Amazon product ASIN B0B28SM541

The struts are the same length as the hatch struts (17 inches), and I went with 50 pounds for the hood. It's...

• LILCBRA

• 

 

[LILCBRA]

From lilcbra's thread

Progress Thread Post in thread 'The next "big" project for my Cobra'

Apr 5, 2023

The brackets for the hood struts finally showed up today, so I went out and got them put in real quick. No more hood prop rod!

Obviously, I'll hang onto it, struts are only good for so long....

But - if anyone is interested in doing the same, here are the pieces I ordered.

Amazon product ASIN B078SHN1YP
Amazon product ASIN B0B28SM541

The struts are the same length as the hatch struts (17 inches), and I went with 50 pounds for the hood. It's...

• LILCBRA

• 

Beat me to it.

 

[Blackhawkxx]

I would love to have those but don't want to drill any new holes.

 

[LILCBRA]

A little inspiration for you both.


View: https://youtu.be/VI0W13PwPBI?si=uYOBGKvSbE97eLXn


As for drilling new holes - I think, unless you're looking to have a concours car, you'll likely never go back to using the prop rod. These make it so nice for about everything.

 

[Noobz347]

@95steedamustang - One of your build threads (I can't remember which one and I looked for a bit) had some trick hood hinges in it.

Do you have link to those? It crosses my mind that they might be multi-purpose for some engineering young souls.

 

[Noobz347]

I found it!

https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/fiddle-fart-fabrication.928672/#post-9420751

Possible? Maybe?

And... Since they are a fabricator and their might be some small adjustment to be made to fit a II perfectly... Maybe they'd be into making a set for the II

Billet Hood Hinges w/ Strut kit. Anodized Black or Machine finish w/ Matching Strut Cartridge

FOXBODY BILLET ALUMINUM HOOD HINGES

fiddlefartfab.com

 

[Blackhawkxx]

As for drilling new holes - I think, unless you're looking to have a concours car, you'll likely never go back to using the prop rod.

It's just a me thing. Everything I mounted under the hood or even the gauges, have used existing holes. Also have every single part I ever removed from the car. Why? I don't know, just do.

 

[85GTStangGuy]

How 'bout you save the metal shavings from the drilling.... then you can say "I still got the original metal".

 

[95steedamustang]

@95steedamustang - One of your build threads (I can't remember which one and I looked for a bit) had some trick hood hinges in it.

Do you have link to those? It crosses my mind that they might be multi-purpose for some engineering young souls.

My buddy Thomas. Fiddle Fart Fab

 

[78 Mach1]

Thanks for the part numbers and the motivational video. I was in Texas on business and just now got back to this thread. I just ordered my set using the exact part numbers you provided. Can’t wait to install them.

 

[78 Mach1]

Got around to installing the hood struts today. Probably my favorite easy cheap modification I’ve done. Ignore the dust, I’ve been working out wheel and tire fitment issues.

I used the same struts as you suggested but went with a slightly different bracket. I used an L bracket on the hood end to keep everything straight and prevent any side to side forces on the hood. Below pictures show the strut and bracket parts I ordered from Amazon.

 

[LILCBRA]

I think I started off with those L shaped brackets before opting for the flat ones. Either way, though, it's damned nice to not have the prop rod in the way, huh? It's one if my favorite cheap upgrades too. Now we just have to convince @Blackhawkxx to join the club! Maybe @2Blue2 too! C'mon guys! I'm telling you you'll love it!

 

[Noobz347]

How different are II hood hinges from Fox hood hinges?

 

[Blackhawkxx]

Now we just have to convince @Blackhawkxx to join the club! Maybe @2Blue2 too! C'mon guys! I'm telling you you'll love it!

Maybe I'm waiting for powered hinges, no rods or struts?

 

[Noobz347]

Maybe I'm waiting for powered hinges, no rods or struts?

There are still struts but they are in the way of [nothing].

https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/fiddle-fart-fabrication.928672/

II hinges look a [lot] like Fox hinges to me. If there's a variation, I bet Fiddle Fart could accommodate that.

 

[Blackhawkxx]

Those are great!

 

[2Blue2]

C'mon guys! I'm telling you you'll love it!

I'm almost there....

 

[Noobz347]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhGuuOoYAI

 

[LILCBRA]

There are still struts but they are in the way of [nothing].

https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/fiddle-fart-fabrication.928672/

II hinges look a [lot] like Fox hinges to me. If there's a variation, I bet Fiddle Fart could accommodate that.

The hinges are very similar, but I've not had them both off at the same time to compare. The only thing that stands out is the bolt spacing on the firewall. I suppose one of these days I could get off my lazy ass and use all of this free time I have and take some comparison measurements....