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The first step is to true up a block of aluminum, measure and drill mounting holes and cut the initial flanges.
The first step is to true up a block of aluminum, measure and drill mounting holes and cut the initial flanges.
0 2011/05/14 08:53:23
During the first fit of the trunk lid, i discovered that the gas strut, while easily attached to the aluminum hinge, had no place to attach to the body. Rather than bend up a kludgey metal tab, and since any "billet aluminum" parts are always revered by all, i decided to design and build a "simple" strut mount. While a nice diversion from the true task at hand, like everything else i do, it took way more time than i thought! After i made the sketches, i started with my little billet piece.
During the first fit of the trunk lid, i discovered that the gas strut, while easily attached to the aluminum hinge, had no place to attach to the body. Rather than bend up a kludgey metal tab, and since any "billet aluminum" parts are always revered by all, i decided to design and build a "simple" strut mount. While a nice diversion from the true task at hand, like everything else i do, it took way more time than i thought! After i made the sketches, i started with my little billet piece.
0 2011/05/14 08:53:23
Of course the biggest test was to see if it actually worked the way it was intended. I have learned that this is often NOT the case (as evident by my overflowing "scrap part" box). However, it worked exactly as intended and i was able to scratch on very little task off of the list!
Of course the biggest test was to see if it actually worked the way it was intended. I have learned that this is often NOT the case (as evident by my overflowing "scrap part" box). However, it worked exactly as intended and i was able to scratch on very little task off of the list!
0 2011/05/14 08:52:43
Fast-forwarding ahead several hours and here is the finished part compared with the design drawing (yes, it's a hand drafted drawing, my CAD system does not reside in the garage!). Overall, pretty much exactly what i drew.
Fast-forwarding ahead several hours and here is the finished part compared with the design drawing (yes, it's a hand drafted drawing, my CAD system does not reside in the garage!). Overall, pretty much exactly what i drew.
0 2011/05/14 08:52:43
Next, it is time to start shaping the bracket – some creative clamping is sometimes needed to keep from flinging the piece across the garage (ask me how I know that!!). Then some lightening slots to keep it from weighing the back of the car down:
Next, it is time to start shaping the bracket – some creative clamping is sometimes needed to keep from flinging the piece across the garage (ask me how I know that!!). Then some lightening slots to keep it from weighing the back of the car down:
0 2011/05/14 08:52:43
well, this is clearly out of order but, this is how it fit together before the bit of welding and grinding...somehow i have to figure out how to re-arrange photos in an album on this site! LOL
well, this is clearly out of order but, this is how it fit together before the bit of welding and grinding...somehow i have to figure out how to re-arrange photos in an album on this site! LOL
0 2011/05/14 08:52:00
after fitting the pieces together, a bit of welding, and a bit of grinding, the part looked like this:
after fitting the pieces together, a bit of welding, and a bit of grinding, the part looked like this:
0 2011/05/14 08:52:00
Now that the trunk had hinges and a strut to hold it up, it needed a latch. Not wanting to invent everything on this car, i cheated and raided the corvette parts bin for a late model electric latch assembly. unfortunately, the "latch" part could in no way be mounted to the underside of the trunk lid. that started another little "diversion"... here is the factory trunk latch with the "adapter plate" i cut out of 16 gage steel.
Now that the trunk had hinges and a strut to hold it up, it needed a latch. Not wanting to invent everything on this car, i cheated and raided the corvette parts bin for a late model electric latch assembly. unfortunately, the "latch" part could in no way be mounted to the underside of the trunk lid. that started another little "diversion"... here is the factory trunk latch with the "adapter plate" i cut out of 16 gage steel.
0 2011/05/14 08:52:00
and the finished part, primed and finally ready to be installed. Quite a bit of work for something as simple as a trunk strut mounting and latch system! I know, boring but it needed to be done!
and the finished part, primed and finally ready to be installed. Quite a bit of work for something as simple as a trunk strut mounting and latch system! I know, boring but it needed to be done!
2 2011/05/14 08:51:13