Hood hinges help,maybe not the same old stuff

[Ricko1966]

When I got my 75 it already had a hood that was just starting to buckle. Now if anyone has ever installed a fiberglass hood on something you know if you want hinges you have to remove the hinge springs. That's exactly what I did on my 75, the hood will close on its own,not going to further damage the hood,I use a prop rod. We'll let me tell you that hood is a heavy SOB. I'm not so inclined today but probably will in the future see if I can find some springs with less tension. Still use a prop rod,still have to lift the hood,just an easier lift. Just an idea for some of you,that might save damage to some marginal hoods. If anyone figures out a softer spring please post it so when I begin my search,maybe I won't have to search.

 

[Zelph]

Open your wallet

Hood Hinges Kinetic Style 73-80 Chevy Truck

Billet Aluminum Kinetic Style Hood Hinges for 1973-80 Chevy Truck High strength, precision billet aluminum construction Utilizes sealed bearings & stainless steel nitrogen gas struts (included) for smooth operation Bolt-on application for steel, fiberglass, or carbon fiber hoods (specify when...

eddiemotorsports.com

 

[Ricko1966]

Open your wallet

Hood Hinges Kinetic Style 73-80 Chevy Truck

Billet Aluminum Kinetic Style Hood Hinges for 1973-80 Chevy Truck High strength, precision billet aluminum construction Utilizes sealed bearings & stainless steel nitrogen gas struts (included) for smooth operation Bolt-on application for steel, fiberglass, or carbon fiber hoods (specify when...

eddiemotorsports.com

And I'd imagine the spring rate is similiar to or equal to stock hinges. I'm going to run no springs in my hinges fir now, until I stumble across some softer springs. Then it won't be as hard to lift the hood but I still plan on it being some effort and require a prop rode.

 

[bucket]

When I got my '79, it came with a fiberglass cowl hood. The stock springs were installed and causing the hood to bow. I removed the springs.

After using a prop stick for a decade and finally getting tired of it, I tried some universal tension springs from the hardware store. It works perfectly. I'm sure they won't hold up a steel hood, but they would definitely provide some assist.

If I dig around, I can figure out the part# again.

 

[AuroraGirl]

if your hood was buckling, your original hinges are probably worn/not lubricated on the pivots

If you can wiggle the hood side to side conisderably, you need new hinges

When my hood folded right at the money spot first time closing my hood, when i changed the hood later I discovered one of the hinges was SUPER worn and sloppy on the pivots, and the ohter was not, but it was hard to actually cycle
That is a recipe for the failure, one side wants to easily move and the other doesnt

SO try new ones. Would hood hinges with those prop struts like newer vehicles have work on fiberglass? Or would a self-located coil spring like on OBS ford or GMT800 (not sure about gmt400) work on fiberglass hood?

 

[Ricko1966]

if your hood was buckling, your original hinges are probably worn/not lubricated on the pivots

If you can wiggle the hood side to side conisderably, you need new hinges

When my hood folded right at the money spot first time closing my hood, when i changed the hood later I discovered one of the hinges was SUPER worn and sloppy on the pivots, and the ohter was not, but it was hard to actually cycle
That is a recipe for the failure, one side wants to easily move and the other doesnt

SO try new ones. Would hood hinges with those prop struts like newer vehicles have work on fiberglass? Or would a self-located coil spring like on OBS ford or GMT800 (not sure about gmt400) work on fiberglass hood?

I know what causes the hood to buckle. It was this way when I bought it. Now the hood is already weakened and I don't want to aggravate the problem,so I removed the springs so the hinges are only hinges and do not put pressure on the already compromised hood. If I get a new hood I'll probably rebuild my hinges. Right now there is no point. As for fiberglass hoods if I run one it's hinge only,no springs so you don't flex the hood and crack the fiberglass,the paint etc.

 

[Zelph]

The hinges that I linked above, have the option of spring rates. Steel, fiberglass, carbon fiber.

Or avoid round eye trucks and get a slant nose truck that doesnt have bent hood issues.

 

[Radiohead]

Can you use heat to de-rate stock springs much like someone might do to the front coils in lieu of cutting off a wrap?

 

[TotalyHucked]

Maybe try a set of gas struts instead? I've seen kits for the '81-up trucks, not sure if they have them for round eyes

 

[Sad Sack]

When I got my 75 it already had a hood that was just starting to buckle. Now if anyone has ever installed a fiberglass hood on something you know if you want hinges you have to remove the hinge springs. That's exactly what I did on my 75, the hood will close on its own,not going to further damage the hood,I use a prop rod. We'll let me tell you that hood is a heavy SOB. I'm not so inclined today but probably will in the future see if I can find some springs with less tension. Still use a prop rod,still have to lift the hood,just an easier lift. Just an idea for some of you,that might save damage to some marginal hoods. If anyone figures out a softer spring please post it so when I begin my search,maybe I won't have to search.

Get inventive:

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[armor2111]

LMC Truck has hood hinges and hood stiffners.that is what I put on my truck and it is the steel hood. No problem.

 

[Ricko1966]

LMC Truck has hood hinges and hood stiffners.that is what I put on my truck and it is the steel hood. No problem.

Yep or I could just buy another truck,OR, I can just run with softer or no springs with my original hood.

 

[bucket]

When I got my '79, it came with a fiberglass cowl hood. The stock springs were installed and causing the hood to bow. I removed the springs.

After using a prop stick for a decade and finally getting tired of it, I tried some universal tension springs from the hardware store. It works perfectly. I'm sure they won't hold up a steel hood, but they would definitely provide some assist.

If I dig around, I can figure out the part# again.

I *think* these are the springs I used. I'll try to get another one and test them out on my stepside truck that I had to remove the springs from. I removed them because the hood's inner structure is completely rotted... the hinges are in good shape.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Ricko1966]

I *think* these are the springs I used. I'll try to get another one and test them out on my stepside truck that I had to remove the springs from. I removed them because the hood's inner structure is completely rotted... the hinges are in good shape.

You must be registered for see images attach

Don't bother man,I can check it out,thanks for the help. I've had no springs since 2016 so. I'll get to it,but not pressing. Thanks again, I mostly wrote this as help for people who's hoods are just starting to fail,so they see an option to nurse their compromised factory,and paint matching hood along. Until they had time funds or desire to do things different. Or even as preventive medicine for some.

 

[xm20k]

Harwood sells a lighter set of springs meant for fiberglass hoods might be what you're looking for not cheap for a set of springs tho.

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