I have been dropping the front hood on my 87 Fiero for 26 years to close it. The seal is hard so a new one is in order but I would like to stop dropping the hood to get it to latch. I remember seeing a GM car that had a closer that was gear driven. It pulled the hood shut and lifted it a few inches to open it. Anyone have any ideas?
The '87-'90-ish Firebirds, Trans Ams, and Camaro's had this as an optional feature for the rear glass. I've got one in a box in my shop that I plan to use on my project car too, though it came from a Caddy. If you end up finding one, I have the wiring schematic for the F bodies.
The '87-'90-ish Firebirds, Trans Ams, and Camaro's had this as an optional feature for the rear glass. I've got one in a box in my shop that I plan to use on my project car too, though it came from a Caddy. If you end up finding one, I have the wiring schematic for the F bodies.
Is your schematic for the caddy trunk pull down? I want to incorporate them for my Murci doors so that I can have a soft close.
Thanks for the help. We got a bunch of snow today. I had to reshuffle the cars in the shop. I had to back the fiero out in the snow for a few minutes. First time the Fiero has been in snow. Probably be spring before I can look for a closer at the local U pull it. That closer is just what I was looking for - just couldn't remember where I saw one. AH..........another senior moment.
I am planning to put some curve back in the hood. I have shut it hard so many times that the hood is flatter than the fenders. I really like the Z 28 cowl induction hood blister and plan to mold one in this winter. I think it would be a nice touch to soft close the hood and trunk.
Lots of cars have such a feature, especially these days. Mercedes has had it on the S-class and BMW on the 7er back into the '90s. My '67 Fleetwood has it too, actually. I think most are vacuum/pneumatic driven systems. Newer high-end cars actually have a fully hydraulic system that fully opens and closes the the trunk with a ram. Friend's '10 E-class has it, I'm sure the S-class and BMW's similar offerings do as well. On the Fiero, that might be really neat - just push a button and the hood opens (and stays open) by itself. Google "soft close trunk" or "trunk assist" and maybe you'll get some ideas.
That is roughly how the system in my Fleetwood works, except instead of an electric motor it's a vacuum solenoid. Hey, it was 1967... Either way, it was a conventional latch that moved down to seal the trunk.
Lots of cars have such a feature, especially these days. Mercedes has had it on the S-class and BMW on the 7er back into the '90s. My '67 Fleetwood has it too, actually. I think most are vacuum/pneumatic driven systems. Newer high-end cars actually have a fully hydraulic system that fully opens and closes the the trunk with a ram. Friend's '10 E-class has it, I'm sure the S-class and BMW's similar offerings do as well. On the Fiero, that might be really neat - just push a button and the hood opens (and stays open) by itself. Google "soft close trunk" or "trunk assist" and maybe you'll get some ideas.
Hell even the new dodge caravans have them that will open and close the trunk with a button on your key fob, from full locked to full open and back. the older caddies had them that would let you pull the trunk down and just let the mechanism do the rest of the latching.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Or you could go with completely electric driven openers/closers. I have 2 linear actuators that even have switches already wired. There like shock absorbers. I had them originally on my GT40 to open and close the front and back clamshells. No locks needed. Theyre for sale cheap + shipping.
I have an auto pull down installed on my 86 decklid, I installed it years ago. I removed and modified it from an oldsmobile. I'll post some pics when I get a chance. -Jason
[This message has been edited by Fierofreak00 (edited 12-07-2013).]
Fierofreek I would really like to see how you mounted the puller. I am the most concerned with the front hood. Is there a better name for the front hood? Deck lid? Trunk lid?
You shouldn't have to drop the front hood for it to latch, something else must be wrong. I just rest the hood down then push near the latch with my hand and it latches down easily.
------------------ 86 Fiero GT 4spd - L67 swap: VS cam, GenV 98 GTP - Some mods
Hell even the new dodge caravans have them that will open and close the trunk with a button on your key fob, from full locked to full open and back. the older caddies had them that would let you pull the trunk down and just let the mechanism do the rest of the latching.
Steve
waiting to find one of these in the J-yard. I have 2010 in the driveway and from day one, I wanted to do this to the trunklid of my Fiero
Originally posted by qwikgta: waiting to find one of these in the J-yard. I have 2010 in the driveway and from day one, I wanted to do this to the trunklid of my Fiero
Does it have the foot operated button under the bumper or the key fob one? the one under the bumper kind of bothers me, do you have to have the key fob nearby for that one to work or can just anyone who walks buy use that button as well as what happens when you are driving down the road and something hits the button, does it open or does it have a safety to not allow it to open while in gear like our Fieros have?
I can see why you are waiting for a bone yard one, dam those parts are expensive.
Your right about not having to drop the hood to get it to close. The old gasket foam was hard as a rock. I didn't notice over time that I had to drop the hood from a higher point to get it to latch. You made me remember that when it was new, I closed it with a push of my hand. I tried to close it with no gasket and KaZam............it closed just like new! Now I have to put a little more arch back in and it will be ready for my Z28 cowl induction scoop!
The '87-'90-ish Firebirds, Trans Ams, and Camaro's had this as an optional feature for the rear glass. I've got one in a box in my shop that I plan to use on my project car too, though it came from a Caddy. If you end up finding one, I have the wiring schematic for the F bodies.
That's what popped into my mind when I read the thread title also. My parents 89 Camaro convertible had the motorized latch on the rear deck lid (no rear glass on a convertible). I never saw the motor/lock structure part of it but I can't imagine it being all that large. I would think you could fit something like it up front, alhtough I'd imagine it would take a little fab work and cutting.
Steve I have such a pile of projects for my car already. Winter started early so perhaps I can get a lot of them done. I worked on the drivers power window today. The gas tank gets dropped tomorrow. My side scoops arrived this last week and my cowl induction scoop , high flow fuel pump, regulator and pressure gauge should be here tomorrow. I have a headliner to do, larger gas tank to make, hood and side scoops, paint and FAST EZ 2.0 FI to install. It's an early Christmas for me.
I sure wouldn't expect you to go out in those conditions just to do me a favor. LOL I forget other places get cold too. Spring will do just fine. I like the idea of actuators. I'll do a little web searching to get some ideas for using them. I have way to many things to get done this winter as is. I started on my bigger gas tank project today. Like most things it's going to be a little more complicated than I had hoped for but it's doable. My Z28 cowl induction scoop arrived today. It's going to need a few more layers of fiber glass before it gets put on. You get what you pay for seems to once again reared it's ugly head. The finish is good and it is straight! Thanks again,