Author Topic: Billet hood hinges  (Read 2358 times)

Offline IRON MAN

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Billet hood hinges
« on: January 02, 2018 - 03:41:04 PM »
Has anyone mounted Fezler or Ringbrother's hood hinges on a T/A or AAR hood? I ask because OEM hinges and springs cause the fiberglass hood to bow....the springs have too much tension. Wondering if the billet hinges with gas struts will cause the f'glass hood to bow? Thanks :clueless:




Offline 70chall440

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Re: Billet hood hinges
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2018 - 06:10:32 PM »
Remove the OEM springs, I am using springs from a trampoline (got the idea from another member). Factory fiberglass hoods had smaller (less tension) springs but I think they were still too much. The trampoline springs are cheap and they make a lot of different lengths and sizes.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline IRON MAN

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Re: Billet hood hinges
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2018 - 07:52:46 PM »
70Chall440, Thanks for the quick reply. I remember the thread where he snagged the springs off his kid's trampoline. I do have the correct T/A hood springs (6-3/4") but was warned they will eventually bow the hood. Ringbrothers makes an e-body spring for the T/A hood. Last month they were discounted 15%, plus free shipping. Summit Racing sells the on their website. If someone has installed them and the gas struts didn't cause the hood to bow, I'd be a player for them. Plus they are kool looking.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Billet hood hinges
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2018 - 01:07:16 PM »
I agree those billet hinges are awesome looking but just too expensive for me. Sounds like you have a handle on it.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline AARuFAST

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Re: Billet hood hinges
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2018 - 07:52:29 PM »
This issue has come up few times.  I mentioned I use turn buckles from ACE Hardware.  Work great. Painted black or u can paint them the color of your ride.  I had to have my AAR hood repaired because the springs cracked the hood.
1970 AAR Cuda
1970 Gran Coupe Ragtop. 1 of 66
Gran Cpe Convertible 1 yr only.

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Offline 70chall440

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Re: Billet hood hinges
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2018 - 09:15:29 PM »
When I was fitting my AAR I visited this issue and where I landed was using trampoline springs (painted body color) and a home made hood holding device because the trampoline springs will help lift the hood but will not hold it open fully, thus the system I made will hold the hood open completely (or near completely) and has clips so it doesn't fall off.

Of current concern is more about a spring to pop the hood up as I do not wan to have to reach into the scoop to open the hood.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline IRON MAN

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Re: Billet hood hinges
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2018 - 09:24:58 PM »
I agree those billet hinges are awesome looking but just too expensive for me. Sounds like you have a handle on it.
I agree the Nordstrom pricing is a bit much. Summit Racing has sold over 22 pairs of Ringbrothers e-body air-frame hinges and has received FIVE stars out of FIVE stars possible. Hmmmm. Yet I can't find any testimonial verbiage. Also, googled until my fingers became numb.  The only negative seems to be the billet hinges may not raise the hood as high. ...could be as much as 10% lower hood height on certain models. No big deal. There is a YouTube video on the Ringbrothers hinges being installed on a 71 Hemi Cuda, but no comments on how it turned out. Hmmmm  I sure would like to hear from someone who has installed them on an e-body.

70chall440. Maybe a solenoid or a door popper to raise the hood will work on an AAR.
« Last Edit: January 03, 2018 - 09:29:12 PM by IRON MAN »

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Billet hood hinges
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2018 - 09:33:50 PM »
I saw numerous Ebodies at SEMA year before last that had billet hinges on them; not sure if they were Ring Brothers but I am sure some were. No one mentioned anything negative amount them and I didn't notice any of their hoods lower than normal, so I would say that they work. I really like them but just can't take the price.

thanks for the idea on the popper, I am looking at a spring that is similar to the original but softer.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline 'Cuda Hunter

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Re: Billet hood hinges
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2018 - 09:35:44 PM »
Got a link to the hinges?

The best way to find out is to purchase a set and then make sure you post up here if you like them!!   :bigsmile:
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Offline IRON MAN

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Re: Billet hood hinges
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2018 - 09:41:12 PM »
Got a link to the hinges?

The best way to find out is to purchase a set and then make sure you post up here if you like them!!   :bigsmile:

The link is google Ringbrothers which is offering a 10% discount now. I gotta ask, is your avatar from the movie "Snakes on a Plane"? I thought the mile high scene was a rib buster.

Offline ragtopdodge

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'70 318-auto Chally 'vert
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Offline 70chall440

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Re: Billet hood hinges
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2018 - 06:05:02 PM »
Those hinges are awesome but I just cannot spend $600+ on them.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)