HMMWV Hood Lift gas shock - anyone MADE one?

[Andyrv6av8r]

Someone sent me a PM hinting I was full of it, here are just a few examples from the folks that BUILD them............
I had forgotten about the additional dampening effet of the oil as the cylinder reached full extension keep the hood etc. from banging at the end of travel
https://www.camloc.com/technical-support/gas-spring-mounting-position/
https://lstechnologies.ca/general-info/frequently-asked-questions/
https://www.asraymond.com/gas-spring-proper-orientation.html
https://www.stabilus.com/service-spare-parts/installation-hints-and-tips/

You taught me something that I didn't know. Thanks.

 

[azulrios]

I had a couple of spare hood lifts for my 2002 Camry so I figured that they should work. It still needs a couple of reinforcement plates across the ribs on the hood, cleaning up and painting but it works great. Opens by itself after raising the hood about 4 inches.

I noticed that you have the hood prop mounting but no hood prop. Did you remove since the two (02) gas struts / springs will safety keep the hood from falling??

 

[Andyrv6av8r]

I noticed that you have the hood prop mounting but no hood prop. Did you remove since the two (02) gas struts / springs will safety keep the hood from falling??

That's correct ; no need for it now.

 

[azulrios]

That's correct ; no need for it now.

Thanks. This good news as the prop is a pain!! Great Job

 

[Milcommoguy]

If there's a will, there is a way.

Yankee ingenuity, CAMO

 

[azulrios]

Thanks for the info, I'll flip them over. I installed them just like the one on my Camry.

Nice way to distribute the loads. Out of curiosity, what thickness is / are the plate(s)? Did you use steel or high strength aluminum?? Thanks in advance.

 

[Andyrv6av8r]

Nice way to distribute the loads. Out of curiosity, what thickness is / are the plate(s)? Did you use steel or high strength aluminum?? Thanks in advance.

I made them out of some scrap 1/8 inch steel plate.

 

[G3isMe]

...Not that it's "difficult" to raise the hood, but something like this sure would make it easier....

Tk

This is a great idea. My hood weighs a ton as it still has the steel armored grill. Thanks for posting...

 

[azulrios]

I made them out of some scrap 1/8 inch steel plate.

thanks!!

 

[Crauly]

Finished it up yesterday with the supports installed. It works great.

I'm looking to do something similar. I have a pioneer kit (tools bolted to hood). How much did thus help in raising the hood?

I like the reinfocment you did.

Chris

 

[Andyrv6av8r]

I'm looking to do something similar. I have a pioneer kit (tools bolted to hood). How much did thus help in raising the hood?

I like the reinfocment you did.

Chris

Almost lifts on its own. Lift about 4 inches and it goes up by itself.

 

[FlameRed]

Gosh, every time I come here I get more great ideas!

I don't have a lot of fabrication skills, but I guess I can cut some steel plate with the "wheel of death".

The only thing cooler would be to use Linear Actuators to raise the hood! I have seen those in action at car shows.

 

[MarkM]

Do people have trouble lifting the stock setup? Maybe it's just me but I have no issues lifting the hood and letting it down. I like the idea of the gas shocks and like the installs. Just how are most lifting the hood? Where are you and where are your hands.

Mark

 

[Bulldogger]

Do people have trouble lifting the stock setup? Maybe it's just me but I have no issues lifting the hood and letting it down. I like the idea of the gas shocks and like the installs. Just how are most lifting the hood? Where are you and where are your hands.

Mark

The first 12 inches are the hardest, def. have to lift with my legs. I get the best results standing by the drivers door, pushing up on the wheel well edge, both hands, back straight knees bent. I like the idea of assistance, but if I gotta get it 4" I might as well take it the whole way...
BDGR

 

[MarkM]

Well the way I do it is. Left hand grabbing the wheel well right hand grabbing to recess with my first finger grabbing below the corner top edge and "push" over to the other wheel up at about 45 degrees. Lot easier to push and lift rather than just lift.

Mark

 

[Action]

Well the way I do it is. Left hand grabbing the wheel well right hand grabbing to recess with my first finger grabbing below the corner top edge and "push" over to the other wheel up at about 45 degrees. Lot easier to push and lift rather than just lift.

Mark

Yup. Push towards the passenger side while on driver side. If you don’t, you probably have scratch marks on the air filter lid.
The closer your hands are to the windshield, the easier it will be.

 

[Andyrv6av8r]

The first 12 inches are the hardest, def. have to lift with my legs. I get the best results standing by the drivers door, pushing up on the wheel well edge, both hands, back straight knees bent. I like the idea of assistance, but if I gotta get it 4" I might as well take it the whole way...
BDGR

But that 4 inches can be done with 1 or 2 fingers. I literally have to push down slightly to engage the hood latches. It takes more effort to close than open.

 

[Bulldogger]

But that 4 inches can be done with 1 or 2 fingers. I literally have to push down slightly to engage the hood latches. It takes more effort to close than open.

Ah! That is different. Time to add this mod to the list...
BDGR

 

[stucazz74]

I had a couple of spare hood lifts for my 2002 Camry so I figured that they should work. It still needs a couple of reinforcement plates across the ribs on the hood, cleaning up and painting but it works great. Opens by itself after raising the hood about 4 inches.

That is an amazing job you did there. Did you fabricate the brackets used? Which model Camry did you pull those struts off of? Again, great job!! Chris

 

[Andyrv6av8r]

That is an amazing job you did there. Did you fabricate the brackets used? Which model Camry did you pull those struts off of? Again, great job!! Chris

Brackets were made from 1/8 inch thick 2"x 2" angle. See post#14 for the actual struts.