[DeTomaso] Front lid modification

[Mike Thomas]

That's definitely one of those "coulda had a V-8" moments.  Very simple and
elegant.  Nicely done.  One more added to my restoration list.

Mike Thomas
Pres., Panteras Northwest
Yellow '74 #6328



-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at poca.com] On Behalf Of Mikael
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2015 10:24 AM
To: detomaso at poca.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] Front lid modification

So, have you ever like me worried that the front lid might due to wind blow
up and then down as the rod fell out and then maybe damage the paint? And
have you like me never thrown out anything DeTomaso, not even rear deck lid
gas shocks that had gotten too weak?

 

If yes, here's an easy modification to support the opening of the front lid.
Use one of the weak rear lid gas shocks in the front! I don't know if this
modification has been done before, but I haven't seen it. 

 

It fits perfectly on the lower part of the lid and bolted to the underside
of the front trunk area. The two bolts in the trunk area will be invisible
when I put my fire extinguisher back in the floppy bracket/holder, if you
don't have that, just have the bolts beneath the carpeting. The weak part
right now is the bracket on the lid. There's not enough material to drill
and cut threads, so right now it's only attached with screws. If they start
to come loose, I'll have to weld the bracket in place, very careful with
just one weld at each end and wet rags on both sides of the lid to avoid
paint being damaged by heat.

 

It took me an hour to install after some hours online finding the right
brackets and bushings. It works perfectly, better than I had expected. The
lid can stay up if on the last 10 inches upwards. Beneath that, it slowly
closes, no banging down. Just like the rear lid actually.

 

Remember that the placement of the bracket on the underside of the trunk
decides how high the lid opens. Mine opens exactly like when using the rod.

 

 

Mvh/Regards

Mikael