Blaster DIY - gas spring hood lift kit

96superjet · Jun 29, 2017

Blaster peeps,

Plan on making my own gas spring hood lift kit. I've determined the 20" expanded and 12" compressed (8" travel) gas springs are what I need, but I haven't figured out what compression weight to choose. Options are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90 & 120Lbs.

I was thinking two 20Lbs gas springs would be appropriate. Thoughts? Also, if you install two 20Lbs gas springs do you really have 40Lbs of holding force (is it additive)?

Thanks in advance.

DAG · Jun 29, 2017

Each spring will share approximately half the weight. The only time this is not the case is if you stack the springs on top of each other but that's kinda hard to do with a gas strut

a1965gt · Jul 25, 2017

Yes combined (side by side) you will have a total of 40 lbs of lifting force. What size you need isnt just dependant on the weight of the hood but also the mounting locations and angle at which they operate.
Your best bet is to start with the 20's (save the reciept) return and exchange for stronger springs if necessary.
Or brush up on your trigonomety skills and design it on paper first. I created a hood strut design for some industrial equipment about 20 years ago...

jetx · Jul 27, 2017

I used a single 85lb strut on mine and it worked fine...I don't think two 20's will be enough

newbee · Jul 29, 2017

Yeah I used two larger ones on mine also. I liked using two to balance everything out vs one

dlsderoo · May 17, 2018

What did you guys come up with for a weight for a single shock 80 lbs???

Desk_jockey · May 21, 2018

I used a single 20 inch 60 lb strut. I went with a stainless model and stainless brackets. It works flawlessly.

dlsderoo · May 21, 2018

Where did you mount that lower bracket or how far away from the front ? Also you only used one strut? Do you have a link to that piston and brackets?

Desk_jockey · May 21, 2018

dlsderoo said:
Where did you mount that lower bracket or how far away from the front ? Also you only used one strut?

Yes, one strut. I can take some better pictures and measurements tonight if you would like. The only picture I have with me right now is this one where you can just see the lower mount.

Desk_jockey · May 21, 2018

The strut and brackets are from ebay. You can get the strut in stainless or regular.

This is the part number for the stainless strut:
Brand:Nitro-Prop Strut and Spring
Part Number:NP-SS-2000-60-6 814css

I used 2 of the same stainless brackets. Part number:
Brand:Nitro-Prop Strut and Spring
Product Type:Gas Spring Strut Shock Mount Bracket 10mm Ball
Manufacturer Part Number:AB-10-OSS 800bss

saary · May 21, 2022

Hello dear

Desk_jockey said:
Yes, one strut. I can take some better pictures and measurements tonight if you would like. The only picture I have with me right now is this one where you can just see the lower mount.
View attachment 354674

Hello dear.
Would you please provide me with the measurements if you still have the boat . I just received the same strut you have.
Thank you.

JaveStack · Jun 10, 2024

Desk_jockey said:
The strut and brackets are from ebay. You can get the strut in stainless or regular.

This is the part number for the stainless strut:
Brand:Nitro-Prop Strut and Spring
Part Number:NP-SS-2000-60-6 814css

I used 2 of the same stainless brackets. Part number:
Brand:Nitro-Prop Strut and Spring
Product Type:Gas Spring Strut Shock Mount Bracket 10mm Ball
Manufacturer Part Number:AB-10-OSS 800bss

Thank you from the future for posting these PN's

JaveStack · Jun 16, 2024

I know this thread has been dead for 2-4 years, but no one ever posted the measurements, so here are the measurements I used and their results:

I drilled the hood seal rail for 3/16” rivets placing the ball center 17” from the mounting face for the hood latch:

I think it looks about right, closes perfectly.

Blaster DIY - gas spring hood lift kit

Yes, my balls tickled from that landing