Gas strut idea...will it work on early 2gen camaro?

[John Wright]

re: this post about the gas strut for a 1st gen camaro trunk spring.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showpost.php?p=672653&postcount=71


Just wondering if these same 60# struts would work on my 70 camaro w/ short spoiler?

(10" extended, 6.81" collapsed) I have 2 of them on my wish list in an online store...just thought that I would run it by the forum before I hit the purchase button.

[MoonMan]

So are you thinking of attaching to the wheel tub area like on the referenced 1st gen? I've been trying to come up with a way to use struts on the trunk too...

[John Wright]

I found little sheetmetal brackets with the ball stud already on them

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

was gonna plug weld the bracket to the sheet metal

[John Wright]

Here's the site....has all sorts of brackets if that one doesn't work....

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/items_145__gas%20strut,%20gas%20spring,%20pnuemati c%20spring,%20pnuematic%20strut.html

[MoonMan]

Very cool. Go for it and let me know how it works. I think as long as you get the correct angle/push it should work just fine. Please post pics if you do it!

[John Wright]

Please post pics if you do it!will do.:smoke:

[The WidowMaker]

this is the formula i planned on using. stolen from the camaro site.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am attaching the formula in a pdf document I downloaded from the ACE strut site

W= Weight of the trunk lid - I estimated 30lbs, its actually 33lb (w/spoiler)
Rw= distance to center of gravity - if no spoiler thats 1/2 the trunk width; with a spoiler its closer to 15"-16"
Lg = distance from the hinge to the ball stud
n = number of struts you are using

So for a trunk lid with spolier thats 33lbs x 15"/4" x 2 (struts) = 62 lbs
so use 2 - 60lbs struts for trunk lid with spoiler

Hood hinges have 2 pivot points so this formula won't apply.

[MrQuick]

right click save...thanks Tim!!


I am still trying to figure out a way to do it on our 70 Camaro project,I want to keep them hidden so I x'ed the struts. I am thinking a large trap spring on the hinge...think mouse trap.


Vince

[John Wright]

this is the formula i planned on using. stolen from the camaro site.


Yeah, me too...I was busy this weekend and didn't get to measure off my car's trunk hinges to the floor or that sheetmetal bracket...so I don't have anything to add yet.

[John Wright]

Popped the trunk open last night on the car...there is no way this idea will fly and be water-tight. Dang hinges are outside of the trunk gasket.....


camera phone pic of the hinge location on the early second gen camaro.


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif