Thanks to everyone for your interest. There is someone planning on a production run. Stay tuned for details. Stainless does sound sexy, doesn't it?

Jeff

 

Me too

 

I would opt for stainless over mild steel also.

 

It appears that SS is the way to go, as steel would require some sort of finish protection, having plating of any kind is more that SS per unit. I found all the hardware at local ACE hardware. Machining for a low volume project will be 8 to 13 Business days, as they will fit it in between normal work.

I Have Committed to 20 sets and probably use e-bay to list, as I have already account.
Will notify Forum Members one week in advance of listing date and time, so can honor those that have committed in advance.
I have posted information on Forum Classifieds under XJ6 exterior parts. I will update Classified information as information on availability for shipping occurs.
Rgds David

 

David, I threw my hat in the ring for a set of bonnet stays, but being pretty new to the Forum I don't know where to find the "Forum Classifieds". Can you help me out? Thanks
Dave

 

If you look at menu on opening page of the forum after you login, just below Forum.com on top left corner, you will see: Forums - Gallery - Tools - Marketplace - New Posts .
Click Marketplace, then click Members Marketplace, then Click Parts ---- specifically - XJ6 - Exterior Body... I didn't know until today how to find it myself.
Rgds David

 

Jeff very kindly sent me his Stay and I installed it today in my car to study it.

Overall, the solution is perfect. I do get 50" inches at maximum open. No more stitches in my skull.

In my car, I had to install the Knob towards the center of the car, because otherwise it makes contact with the giant spring as you close the bonnet, (see picture). Nothing to it, all you do is invert the assembly so the Knob is towards the center.

Also the radiator-side bracket only aligned with the bolt hole closest to the spring. I don't know if this is due to any difference between 1987 cars and 1984 cars, but it looks like there is.

the second picture shows a comparison between the factory Stay and Jeff's Stay.

 

Jose,

Thanks for fit check and picture of correct installation.

I added the second angle support, as too difficult to deal with angle iron and one attach screw. See picture for final product out for machining.

Note to all that have request a stay: 12 of 20 units have been committed for. If there is more requests, I will increase initial batch this Tue. Still looking at Mid-June shipping.
Rgds
David

 

David, adding a second side to the rear bracket is a great idea. Much easier to keep it aligned and more durable in the long run.

Jose, sorry I wasn't more clear at the outset. Yes, the knob goes on the side towards the center off the car. You can sort of see it in the second segment of the video but I should have mentioned it as well. If on the other side it hits the hood spring.

Jeff

 

Just posted on the marketplace post, put me down for one !
Cheers,
Brian

 

David and Jeff,

I experimented with reusing parts from the original stay and I came up with the same length as shown in the picture below.

Still missing: the knob and threading the knob's bolt hole. Spent the entire day cutting and drilling off those giant rivets in the factory stay.

I tested the one I made and I get 50 and 1/4" inches!! haha!. No issues with the grille or the bumper.

 

My hood is still in the body shop being painted. And my car is a 1975 XJ6C with the Euro front bumper. It seems like all of you that have been talking about Jeff's stay are later models? Does anyone anticipate me having a problem with my Series II?

 

Up above, Elinor compared a Series3 and a series2 and said they are the same. Still waiting to hear about series1.

 

I'm getting my hood back from the paint shop tonight, so I'll be able to figure out what kind of room I have on my Series II with the Euro bumpers.

 

All in International Price for New and Improved XJ6 Bonnet Stay $62.00 including shipping.

Very costly postage: Alternative approach:

If there is interest in Southern Hemisphere, I could ship 5 sets of machined parts only in one box for same postage. All hardware should be found locally at a reasonable hardware store. 5 sets machined parts plus Flat Rate International shipping (tracking - Insured - 5-6 days) = $175 ... $35 ea. Final distribution by mail or at favorite local Pub.

Rgds David

 

in my mind I had it at $65.00 per kit so David's price is right on the money.

I completed mine today using parts from the factory stay and hardware from ACE.

I got lucky, there was a guy at ACE this morning who also works at a hot rod shop and he inmediately understood the idea. He found all the hardware needed and instead of tapping a thread for the middle bolt, he used a bumper bolt.

 

David,
I'm in for 1 kit. At the cost you've quoted ($65). Please advise how I should proceed. Being in Canada, I suppose credit card? Ian

 

Let me check the Canadian postal rate, I just was thinking of EU and Australia. PayPal or E-bay is best, once I get all in rate for you.
Thank you
Rgds
David

 

All Forum Members

The XJ6 New and Improved Bonnet Stay links are back from machine shop ready to ship.

Purchase Instructions have been added to "Forum Marketplace"

Members on reserved list will have their units shipped first

Kit includes all Hardware, Assembly Drawing and Installation instructions

Thank you Jeff, for your ingenuity and persistence to make something better, and you got it right. This is an area where all XJ6 owner/maintainers in the past have got their heads bumped!!!!

Rgds David

 

All in International Price for New and Improved XJ6 Bonnet Stay $62.00 including shipping.

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.

Very costly postage: Alternative approach:

If there is interest in Southern Hemisphere, I could ship 5 sets of machined parts only in one box for same postage. All hardware should be found locally at a reasonable hardware store. 5 sets machined parts only, including Flat Rate International shipping (tracking - Insured 6-8 days) = $175 ... $35 ea set. Final distribution by local mail or at your favorite local Pub.

Rgds David