DSE hood hinge review...

[Steve1968LS2]

Installed the hood this morning at Best of Show.. This meant that we finally got to try out the DSE billet hood hinges.

Installation went pretty good. There was a "learning curve" on how they adjust compared to normal hinges, but once we figured it out we found them to be a lot easier to dial in than stock hinges.
The main attribute was the small turnbuckle (blue arrow). This made adjusting the hood forward and aft a snap. The buckle was simply turn a tiny amount and the hood moved closer or farther from the front valance. It also made getting the hood "striaght" easy as well.
The only close call was the bottom of the hinge. The end (yellow arrow) comes very close to the inner fender. In fact, if you were to open the hood all the way, and push, it would hit the inner fender. Not a huge deal, but it is what we found on this install, you're deal might be better or worse.

The operation of the hinge is much much smoother compared to a stock hinge/spring combo. There's none of the "jerkiness" and the hood open velvety smooth. Balance seems very good and the shocks seem to have the proper amount of tension.

Not a cheap date at all, but at least they function better than stock. Still should be considered a totally un-needed appearance item (except for the adjustment benefit), but then again I want many things in life that I really don't "need" ;)

So ends my review.. I will open the floor to questions.. lol

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[ZZ430]

Steve, I also really like how smooth they operate :smoke:

I love the struts with their "power assist" :twothumbs

Mine took about 15 minutes to dial in.

They are worth every "Penny" lol.

My 69 is still old school with the BB and carb, but I'm happy with it.

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[steemin]

Steve,
Penny is lookin good!
You just can't leave the BLING alone can you?:enguard:

I have a set of these on my 65 Mustang Fastback..
They look great (lots of compliments) and more importantly they also helped to eliminate the alignment issues we had with my fiberglass hood. In other words even though the adjustability does create some initial challenges it really resolved
my concerns with proper gaps and seams:smoke:
The only downside I see is that I cannot open my hood as high as I could with the factory hood hinges. This sometimes makes for a tight fit when I am trying to work under the hood..
Scott

p.s. with glass hoods you have to use a lighter weight shock..

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve,
Penny is lookin good!
You just can't leave the BLING alone can you?:enguard:

I have a set of these on my 65 Mustang Fastback..
They look great (lots of compliments) and more importantly they also helped to eliminate the alignment issues we had with my fiberglass hood. In other words even though the adjustability does create some initial challenges it really resolved
my concerns with proper gaps and seams:smoke:
The only downside I see is that I cannot open my hood as high as I could with the factory hood hinges. This sometimes makes for a tight fit when I am trying to work under the hood..
Scott

p.s. with glass hoods you have to use a lighter weight shock..

Bling would be if I polished them.. lol..

They are certainly an indulgence, but they do look like they belong in the engine bay given all the other high-tech stuff in there.

Hmm.. I will open the hood all the way then measure. Will then find a stock camaro and open that hood all the way. Would be curious to know what the difference is.

[Steve68]

I live in a humid, humid,humid area, aluminumn corrosion is viscous, these would be white and powdery quick, did I mention that I live in a humid environment, they would be better in a anodized state, black would look good, but the bling effect wouldn't be there, so do I use my brand new GM powdercoated springs or do I get the nice DSE springs and have them anodized, hmmmm, only time will tell, but they do look nice,

[Rick Dorion]

Can/will the struts be replaceable? I wonder how they will maintain their performance over time. Seems I have to replace rear hatch struts once in a while!

Looks great, Steve.

[ProTouring442]

Why don't they make them for other cars! Say, a '72 442? Anyone? anyone?

Looks great!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442 (http://www.fquick.com/ProTouring442)

[formula]

Any word from anybody on second gen availability?? My factory hinges are so bent they're hitting brake lines off of my master cylinder. The ring bros told me the end of the year when i emailed them a while and a half back. All i really want in life right now is to give them my money...why is this so difficult?!?!

[Steve1968LS2]

I live in a humid, humid,humid area, aluminumn corrosion is viscous, these would be white and powdery quick, did I mention that I live in a humid environment, they would be better in a anodized state, black would look good, but the bling effect wouldn't be there, so do I use my brand new GM powdercoated springs or do I get the nice DSE springs and have them anodized, hmmmm, only time will tell, but they do look nice,

Several cars had ones that were hard-anodized black. Looked very cool. DSE doesn't offer this yet, but given the response to how they look I bet they will (or you could do it yourself).

Or these could be zoop-sealed.. :shrug:

[sonic69]

I have a set on my 69 Camaro. I love them. I was at DSE last week. The staff is really nice people. If you have any questions just call and ask they'll be happy to answer.

[trapin]

They are a bit of coin, but at least you're getting your money's worth...they're a beautiful item. Actually if you were going to drop that kind of money on bling, I would say those are your best bet because of how visible they are.

[Restomod]

Steemin.do they make em for Mustangs or did you make em work??

[Larry Callahan]

They are killer! I got to see them last week at SEMA and in Stacy's test mule in Pigeon Forge. My only regret is I never tried them.

I manage a machine shop by day and love the non coated machined look. Only thing I would do is maybe paint the black cylinder when I finally order a set.

[Steve68]

Yea the uncoated look is awsome, but you live in DRY california, people in the west don't understand humidity and corrosion,

Steve, I saw some black anodized in the SEMA pix, look nice,

[Steve1968LS2]

Yea the uncoated look is awsome, but you live in DRY california, people in the west don't understand humidity and corrosion,

Steve, I saw some black anodized in the SEMA pix, look nice,

Yea, I think Kyle is thinking of making that an offering.. it's hard anodizing so it's not cheap.

These might be clear anodized.. not sure. They could always be zoop sealed to protect from corrosion.

[Madspeed]

Steve if I had your money Id throw mine away:spank2:

Those are SICK.... DSE is very proud of what they make arent they =)
I must have them.... Someday....I think I should get mine running first =)

[steemin]

Steemin.do they make em for Mustangs or did you make em work??

Yes they do make them for Mustangs.
These were originally designed by the Ring Bros. for their Mustang..:cool:
Scott

[absolom]

Yes they do make them for Mustangs.
These were originally designed by the Ring Bros. for their Mustang..:cool:
Scott

i was wondering that, we have a set of the ring bro's mustang hood hinges, and they are almost identical

[steemin]

i was wondering that, we have a set of the ring bro's mustang hood hinges, and they are almost identical

They are identical..
Same hinge set..
Scott

[warriorbob]

Does anyone happen to have a pic of the hinges in the hood closed position?
Maybe someone has a pic of the hinge installed and pushed down (as the hood would be closed) before the hood is installed.
I would even appreciate a pic of just the hinge in the closed position.
Just want to check clearances before i order.

thanks
bob