Last fall we were talking about a bonnet support or stay system that would hold the hood open at a wider angle. After a lot of hours and prototypes to get the geometry just right I have a new design you might like. Here are the benefits to the XJ6 owner:
1) 15 minutes to install
2) Completely reversible
3) Securely holds the hood open at the maximum angle allowed by the hinges
4) Very easy to opperate
The factory hood stay design holds the hood open at 34" measured at the corner of the hood. This new design holds the hood open at 50" a 47% increase.
The assembly consists of three pieces that need to be fabricated. Two of them can be made with common hand tools. The third has a simple milled slot that requires a milling machine. Very few Jaguar enthusiasts own a milling machine but every machine shop has at least one so it should be a simple matter to find someone to produce the pieces. All of the material and fasteners are available at Lowes or Home Depot for less than $2 plus a special knob that is available for $3 retail.
Below are photos of the plans. Then I'll post again and hopefully get the printable pdf file posted. Also, I'm going to post an 8 minute YouTube video that shows you how it operates. I have been testing the prototype for about a month now. I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.
Very well done. I saw a similar device decades or so ago on another forum.
I removed the "monkey motion" version early on to get a wider opening to work under. I use a chunk of pipe to protect me from errant breezes.
Your version could be made sans a mill. I'd miss the power "hack saw" that I gave to my son. An HF sourced device that resembled a band saw, but that could operate in a vertical or horizontal position.
As to the log slot in one part. drlll a series of holes and then clean up with a sharp chisel and file. Drill press nice, but a hand drill and vise will do. My hand grinders and cut offs and possibly my belt sanders could come in play..
pjprofili, the closer it gets to fully closed the more it travels. When the hood is closed it is a very tight space and getting it to fold up and not run into the radiator support or hood itself was a challenge. In building my test sets this length slot seemed to work best. I am very interested in people experimting with the design and improving on it. If you build something that works better or is easier to build be sure to post your results.
I put your dimensions into a CAD drawing and got a machining quote for $19 for Cold Roll Steel and $ 27 for Stainless Steel, for one set (3 pieces) of 20 sets. I think you have a winner. Hardware, plus shipping and a little for a night at the Pub.
Good update for S3 owners.
Rgds David
Wow. That technology is great. Things certainly have changed. Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth I graduated with a degree in Industrial Design. We drew everything by hand in pencil and then they made blue prints (which were actually blue). That process used ammonia and smelled to high heaven. Then I went into sales and marketing for 40 years so technology left me back in the stone age.
I have a question. I have two series 3s so I know it works on that model. Are the hood stays the same for series 1 and 2? Anybody have experience with all three series?
Thanks to everyone for the kind words regarding the design.
... Are the hood stays the same for series 1 and 2? Anybody have experience with all three series?....
I can't speak for Series 1, but I drive a Series 2, which hood stay I have ditched in favor of Nothing as the hood stands quite still and stable, not touching the bumper without it (I did keep it though, Just in case).
There's a derelict Series 3 out back which I just checked, and the hood stay is identical.
And, you can add me to your list of customers.
(';')
I would be happy to buy one too. My S3 came with no engine and the hood was off. I can see on your video that I would not have been happy with the factory hood opening if I knew something would allow me to open it wider.
Dave
