74Adam Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Hey guys, I have been trying to find a website that I lost the link to. It was an aftermarket supplier that only made a handful of items. One of those items was replacing the torsion bars with brackets and struts. I got laid off a couple months back and forgot to write down all my website addresses (wasn't exactly a priority at the time...lol). I'll keep searching but if someone happens to know, I would appreciate it. thanks, -Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMission Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Here you go ! - http://www.hammondsplains.com/z/zworld/zraceproducts/ I offered to pick these up and redo his instructions (as they are horrible IMHO) if he'd give me a discount on price.... never heard back. I like the concept a lot and will run them someday, but not in a rush to buy them and put them on now, as my hood isn't even finished yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregkring Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Here you go ! - http://www.hammondsplains.com/z/zworld/zraceproducts/ I offered to pick these up and redo his instructions (as they are horrible IMHO) if he'd give me a discount on price.... never heard back. I like the concept a lot and will run them someday, but not in a rush to buy them and put them on now, as my hood isn't even finished yet. I bought one and had so much trouble trying to get it to work I gave up and put it all back to stock. Templates are terrible and you end up cutting holes to large. Good idea and will probably work great on your third or fourth install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74Adam Posted May 4, 2010 Author Share Posted May 4, 2010 Hmmm, dissapointing to hear that as it would be nice to have a little more room up there. I'll probably just stay put and work on other things that are more important. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 The sample of the instruction book shown on http://www.zraceproducts.com look to well done from this picture: Are those the same instructions you guys got? BTW, zraceproducts sells that kit on ebay for $137.00 http://http://cgi.ebay.ca/Datsun-240Z-260Z-280Z-Gas-Shock-Hood-Assembly-Kit-/160144376249?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25495941b9#ht_3761wt_939 Nigel '73 240ZT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMission Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 On the web site it's three separate PDF files, with pictures from all different weird perspectives, which had me up down left and right trying to see what perspective the camera was at on which part of the car. Also, like the comments above, most have had a tough time installing these, which I think can be fixed quite easily with a few little tweaks. I'm surprised more guys aren't running these, as it's a totally sweet option IMHO. The manual in the picture looks better formatted than the PDF files offered on the site for sure. I wonder why they can't just send that out as a PDF online... it looks way cleaner, but still the pictures left me wanting. I'll do it eventually, it's just 100 some bucks I can wait to spend money on at this point. (When I do it, I'll explain hopefully better what I found to be of use in the install) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 On the web site it's three separate PDF files, with pictures from all different weird perspectives, which had me up down left and right trying to see what perspective the camera was at on which part of the car. Also, like the comments above, most have had a tough time installing these, which I think can be fixed quite easily with a few little tweaks. I'm surprised more guys aren't running these, as it's a totally sweet option IMHO. The manual in the picture looks better formatted than the PDF files offered on the site for sure. I wonder why they can't just send that out as a PDF online... it looks way cleaner, but still the pictures left me wanting. I'll do it eventually, it's just 100 some bucks I can wait to spend money on at this point. (When I do it, I'll explain hopefully better what I found to be of use in the install) I never noticed the on-line instructions before... http://www.zraceprod...all_manuals.php They look pretty comprehensive to me, and the pictures are easy to follow if you're reasonably familiar with the front end of a Z. Doesn't look like it would take much to install even without the templates if you have some fabrication experience. Nigel '73 240ZT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMission Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Heck, if you only want to sell to someone with fabrication experience... I'd want to make more money than that and make it an everyman's project! Plus, from what I've found, it looks like a good few had a hard time with it and if they don't speak well of the process, it effects the decisions of people thinking about buying it - Including me. Easy, Easy, Easy and it could sell much better and I bet more people would jump on it. What's that statement? - It takes 7 positive experiences from people to contrast 1 bad experience someone had? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNNY Z Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 From the crypt. I'm looking for the gas shock specs on these things. Lift weight, and compressed / extended length. Shot in the dark, but why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litman Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Josey, I had no idea a kit like this existed. I made my own that is shockingly similar, simply because I had the shocks left over from my G35. They are lightweight because I have a fiberglass hood but I could at least give you the compressed and extended lengths and you could experiment with load rating. To make these I pilfered four connection balls from VWs, cut two flush and welded them to the hinge and made L-brackets for the other two. I had to play around a lot with mounting location to get the distances correct for full compression and full extension. Works extrememly well with my hood. Model I used: Suspa C16-13313 Extended length: 13" Compressed length: 9" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socorob Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 McMaster Carr used to sell the shocks and mounting balls in many lengths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNNY Z Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 McMaster Carr used to sell the shocks and mounting balls in many lengths. Yep, and ebay has them cheap as well too. Ok, Second question: what does a stock 78 hood weigh? 60#? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Z Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 I just sold and posted a vented 77 bonnet last week and was 19kg (including vents and latch) so 42 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litman Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Determining the proper shock rating based upon hood weight is a fairly complex calculation. If I were you I would use a local parts supply (AutoZone, Advance, etc) and test, return, test, return. Maybe your math skills are better than mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndyAndTheSea Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Yeah, I'm looking into these as well. Trying to figure out a shock rate for a 8-10 lb carbon hood. I'll report back, upon making any findings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seattlejester Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 (edited) Please do keep us all updated, looks to be a pretty neat mod. My thoughts is that the strut should be able to support the weight when the most weight is on it. Using the very helpful starting weight of 42lbs, we can deduce that each strut should be able to support 21lb at the minimum to support the weight of the hood. Add much more support and it would actually make closing the hood more difficult, any lack of support and if the wind blew and the hood started closing it wouldn't be able to support the weight. This is with amazingly blunt math/physics of course. Now I'm off to find a 4 inch stroke shock that can support 25lbs to try all this out . Is it 13 inch fully extended center of ball to center of ball, or is it 13 inches end to end Edited April 2, 2014 by seattlejester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litman Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Both of my measurements were made end to end. Your logic on selecting a higher than necessary rating is sound provided it is a steel hood. If you have a fiberglass or carbon fiber hood I would NOT do that. From experience (experimenting with my G35 CF hood) a shock with too much load will flex and potentially crack a composite hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Z Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I could get one of those fisherman scales with a thick rubber band on each end and hook one end to the hood catch and the other end to the striker (or lower down the sides) and open and see what sought of resistance it takes to lift the hood. Would that work?. I think it may be more accurate than the theory of 21lbs on each strut/damper as the hinges already take some of the weight off the hood and you are merely opening it up on the same axis. And also depending how high up the hood you put the damper would also differ due to needing more leverage to lift the closer you go to the hinges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socorob Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 (edited) It's a hard calculation to figure out. On my little British car I had, someone made a gas spring kit to replace real springs for the trunk. The trunk lid weighed less than the Z hood does and was much shorter, but the kit used (2) 40# gas springs and they were about perfect. Grab the Z hood with your fingers from the very front and just turn your wrists up and see if you can lift it. That's basically where the fulcrum for the shocks are going to be. Edited April 4, 2014 by socorob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seattlejester Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 (edited) Very true, I imagine some leverage can come into play. My contribution: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-99-04-Grand-Cherokee-Hood-Lift-Supports-Shocks-Struts-Arms-Rod-Prop-Damper-Ram/141194004528?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D21235%26meid%3D5928231305529909920%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D9374%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D331166021824&rt=nc I don't think the hood on a cherokee is quite as big/heavy as ours, but I am game to give this a shot in the near future. According to one website, from end of socket to socket it is 13 inches fully extended. Edited April 3, 2014 by seattlejester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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