Since my car doesn't have the hinge boxes, the stock torsion springs are long gone. It also has the tops of the struts relocated inboard 1", so Rodney's lift cylinder brackets wont fit without modification either.
So I wanted to see if I could use the factory hood support in the rear for the decklid. I cut the bottom of the support 3" shorter, moved the hood bracket to the base and fabbed up a new top bracket that bolts to the decklid. I think it worked out pretty well...
New bracket at decklid. I still need to round off all the corners and paint it, but you get the general idea. The 3 holes all thread into the steel reinforcement inside the cradle, so the attachment is quite solid.
Base mount at the trunk firewall:
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06:07 PM
PFF
System Bot
rpro Member
Posts: 2920 From: Rockledge, FL Registered: Jun 2006
Guru, do you have an electric trunk release on your car? I'm just wondering if it would try and relatch itself without any upward spring force. Might be able to repurpose the front hood cowl spring as well if so.
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12:51 PM
fieroguru Member
Posts: 12130 From: Champaign, IL Registered: Aug 2003
Guru, do you have an electric trunk release on your car? I'm just wondering if it would try and relatch itself without any upward spring force. Might be able to repurpose the front hood cowl spring as well if so.
No truck release... A/C, tilt column and sunroof (which is being deleted) are about the only options on this car.
I think the sponginess of the trunk seal is enough to keep it from latching once it was released. Rodney's decklid lift cylinders do not provide any assist with the decklid down, and I have never heard anyone complain about the trunk release function, so I think it is a non-issue.
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01:00 PM
katatak Member
Posts: 7136 From: Omaha, NE USA Registered: Apr 2008
The design actually originated as the Corvair rear deck lid suppport ......
Kinda full circle, huh?
I actually saw the EXACT SAME hood support on my uncle's all-original 1969 Corvette Stingray Convertible. Everything was exactly the same, I just think his had different mounting brackets. Thought it was funny.
I think the sponginess of the trunk seal is enough to keep it from latching once it was released. Rodney's decklid lift cylinders do not provide any assist with the decklid down, and I have never heard anyone complain about the trunk release function, so I think it is a non-issue.
The first Fiero I owned back in the early 90's would relatch itself on the bounce if I didn't hold the switch long enough. These days all the Fieros I come across need their trunk gasket replaced. Your probably right that a gasket in decent condition would pop it open enough.
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09:25 PM
doublec4 Member
Posts: 8289 From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada Registered: Jun 2003
I was thinking of doing the same thing to my car as well, nice job on pulling it off. You may want to consider using the front deck release cable assy on the rear deck as well if you're interested in an alternative to the electric popper. Here is a thread showing the front release cable and handle installed to operate the rear deck. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/118475.html
[This message has been edited by av8fiero (edited 02-24-2013).]
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11:00 PM
Apr 28th, 2013
jaredmurray88 Member
Posts: 1153 From: wellersburg pa Registered: Mar 2011
I wonder if it could be used as a limit for people who have added hood scoops on their deck lids. I don't know if any of them bump the rear glass or not. Just thinking it forward.
