[DeTomaso] FW: Recomendations for Deck Lid Struts THAT WORK

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/10/09 9 45 28, mbefthomas at comcast.net writes:


> Forwarded from one of our members.  Does anyone have any experience with
> these products, and how much "force" would you have to order in the strut
> for a standard steel deck vs.. a steel deck with a wing vs.. a carbon 
> fiber
> deck, etc.
> 

The goal is to have a pair of struts that are just strong enough to hold 
the decklid open, without being so strong that they will lift it of their own 
accord.   Hall Pantera used to sell absolutely brutal struts.   When you 
unlatched the decklid, it would just fly open.   The problem is, those strong 
struts are pushing against the underside of the decklid the whole time, and 
they are actually strong enough to BEND the decklid visibly. 

I have a photo of an '83 GTS decklid that was seriously damaged by a set of 
these shocks, that I'll send separately.

The current 'factory' decklid struts are probably a very good bet.   They 
are marked with De Tomaso logos etc. and look purty.   Wilkinson and Byars 
both sell them, I think.   

My car is equipped with struts from Larry Stock.   They have been working 
fine for 15 years now.   They are just strong enough to hold the decklid in 
position, i.e. if I open it halfway and let go, it stays there.

Don't forget that the early cars (1971) used a different shock with 
different sized mounts, so specify which type you have when ordering.

Lightweight (carbon fiber/aluminum/whatever) decklids require much, much 
lighter shocks; the vendors that sell the light decklids will have those 
available too.

Adding a wing to a decklid makes the job of the shock much harder.   In 
order to be stiff enough to hold the decklid open, it may put the front of the 
decklid at risk.   Those shocks walk a very fine line between not strong 
enough to do the job, and too strong and potentially damaging to the car.

The best solution is to remove the wing and throw it over a hedge. :>) :>) 
:>)

Mike