when i bought my 56 the round hood springs were weak so i replaced them with new ones.that did not help.i was thinking about installing those little hood pistons.has anyone ever used them and if so were you happy with them.

 

There are many threads on this ( including one I started ) and there really is no perfect fix from what I have found the very expensive billit ones are as good as you can get if you want front opening but do not cure all of the issues . If you are very peticular about gaps and closing the general feeling is to do a front flip . I want a front opening and am working on an idea but am along way from having a working setup .

 

I'll be watching EBEAR.

 

Yes I have the majority of it built but due to limited space did not have the truck inside this winter and no time but the initial idea and measuring have not run into any roadblocks yet . If everything works as planned it will be a direct bolt in with very little if any mod's needed to retrofit .

 

i do not want to do a front flip.i just want to hold my hood open witout it falling down.when i had a cap on one of my other trucks the little pistons that held the back windown gave out i went to a junk yard and got 2 pistons off of a camero's back windo and boy did they work great

 

I wouldn't mind experimenting with something like that but will need to pick up another project as both my trucks have the forward tilt hood..

 

if i can come up with something,i will gladly share with everyone.if anyone else comes up with anything let me know

 

I have an idea but only a spare hood to try it on. I'd have to simulate the cab..

 

i sure hopes that your idea works

 

Is your truck in finished paint..?

 

it is painted for now .later on i will have the body work done (there is not much to do) and have it painted to the other color that i have picked out.so for now it will stay "HILLBILLY RED".i am working on my 53 mercury convertible right now.and money is tight,so it takes a little bit longer to get things done

 

Too bad your so far away I need a hood .

 

I just went to a friends house and looked at the hood pistons on his 2002 ford f150.they look like they just might work.i went to a junk yard and found 2- 2004 f150 with good pistons.the hoods were closed so i opened them then i walked aroun for 1/2 hr just to see if the hoods were still open and they were.i asked the owner how much for a pair of them.he said give me $2 for a pair,so i took 2 pair for $4.i just bought 2 new springs (the round ones) afew months ago and they really dont work that.my friend is going to try and wind them one more time to see if he can make them tithter.we hoe that works.if not he is going to try and make those pistons work.i will let you know what happens

 

You are still using the original hinges with some added lift correct ?

 

right now i am only using the little rounds springs.most of the time they wont stay up.the pistons that i bought from a 2004 f150 are to strong for my 56 f100.the hood from the 2004 f150 is a lot heavier than my hood,so the springs are a lot thicker and stronger.they tried to make a bracket to make the pistons fit my hood.the pistons were so strong that they would have bent my hood.tuesday another guy that i know is going to try and wind the round springs one more time.i hope that he can do it and that it works.i will let everyone know what happens.wish me luck