I did a dummy thing

[Blitzboy54]

I have been happily chipping away at my build. Finding things to work on despite not having some key parts. I have moved on to the trunk rather aggressively. I installed the cubby and completed the carpet. It had not occurred to me that I ordered the gas strut kit for the trunk. Just like the hood I just figured I would get to it when I got to it and never really gave it any thought past that. I had no idea the struts mount to the back of the trunk which is now the front of my cubby.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=149539&d=1623797668

What I should have done was attach the strut kit then measure where they sit relative to the cubby wall and how much they move when actuated. Then I could have cut a holes/channels in the cubby wall to make room for the struts, unfortunately I didn't do any of those things and now I have finished the carpeting. These are the options I am considering.

1. Cut holes in the cubby wall and do my very best for it not to look like a junk show and hope they are in the right spot

2. Re design the strut setup entirely

3. Take the L and move on to a trunk prop.

I appreciate any input you guys might have

Thanks

[Papa]

First of all, your carpet looks great! I would drill holes in the cubby wall and run the struts through them. I'd make them large enough to give you some room for error and finish the holes off with grommets. Maybe even do oval shaped holes as the strut is going to need to move up and down with the hinge throughout the hinge's range of motion.

Dave

[mburger]

Ditto what Dave said. When done, you really aren’t going to see the holes/slots that much. I also see you installed the LED light strips. Very nice. I added LED light strips to both foot boxes, the cubby and the trunk. They are activated by a magnetic switch on the door hinges and by an under dash lip rocker switch to turn them on without having to open a door.
EDIT: When I say I or me, it usually translates to Henry. :-)

[shark92651]

I think this is easy to fix. With the trunk hinge all the way up, what is the distance from the strut attachment point to the back wall of your cubby? Give me that dimension and I will measure how high the strut is above the trunk floor at that point. You could peel the carpet down and re-glue it if you don't want to drill through it. As suggested above drill a hole large enough to allow for some movement (you could adjust the size easily enough with a step bit as you test it by moving your hinges up and down by hand). I checked and the gas strut barely moves UP as you close the trunk. Re-glue the carpet with a slit or a grommet, and it will look great. That area is really dark anyway when finished, especially with black carpet.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51249267617_a2ac281e52_z.jpg

[Blitzboy54]

Papa and mburger, thank you for the kind words and advice. I really appreciate it


I think this is easy to fix. With the trunk hinge all the way up, what is the distance from the strut attachment point to the back wall of your cubby? Give me that dimension and I will measure how high the strut is above the trunk floor at that point.

I have exactly 8.5 inches with the hinge all the way up. Thank you in advance for the measurement.

[CraigS]

Admittedly gas struts are easier but I lived just fine w/ a prop rod made from 3/8 round aluminum rod.

[frankb]

Blitzboy:
Since you already have the carpet in, and once you have decided the hole size, you may wish to consider using a hole punch like this:
https://www.amazon.com/LICHAMP-Manual-Knockout-Cutter-Conduit/dp/B0817325R4/ref=asc_df_B0817325R4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416692045096&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16128435220263145583&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028728&hvtargid=pla-875228521372&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=95471652698&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=416692045096&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16128435220263145583&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028728&hvtargid=pla-875228521372

These make smooth holes and will not fray your carpet.

[shark92651]

I have exactly 8.5 inches with the hinge all the way up. Thank you in advance for the measurement.

I measure 6 1/8" from the trunk floor to the bottom of the strut at that point.

[Fman]

If you need a plan B I have seen this installed and it works well. Latest word on street is ********** is actually shipping products in a reasonable timeframe now.

https://www.**********accessories.com/p-136-prop-rod-trunk.aspx

[Bob Cowan]

If you need a plan B I have seen this installed and it works well.

https://www.**********accessories.com/p-136-prop-rod-trunk.aspx

This is what I have. Works great. Inexpensive. Easy to install. And won't eventually need replacement like the gas filled rods will.

[Blitzboy54]

Thanks so much for all the input. I have a lot of great options now. You guys are the best

[David Hodgkins]

.../Latest word on street is ********** is actually shipping products in a reasonable timeframe now.

https://www.**********accessories.com/p-136-prop-rod-trunk.aspx

Not what I heard.

[Papa]

Not what I heard.

Maybe I got lucky, but I ordered parts Sunday before last and they were delivered Thursday. Perhaps it just depends on what's in stock, but wanted to share my recent experience.

[Blitzboy54]

Not what I heard.

I ordered seat belt bezels. He had the best price for what I wanted and I’m forever away from needing them. I ordered on Sunday, they shipped today.

Somethings up

[AC Bill]

Admittedly gas struts are easier but I lived just fine w/ a prop rod made from 3/8 round aluminum rod.

I don't think gas struts were even an option when I built mine? I managed for 10 plus years with just a prop rod.
I don't spend a lot of time in the trunk, other than when trickle charging the battery, and the prop rod does the job quite fine. Is it really worth all the fooling around you'll need to do?

[GTBradley]

I’m not too sure about the value of the gas struts. I have them and the cubby and they can limit what goes in there. I can tell you from experience an iPad leaning against the back wall will get pinched by the rotating strut and not allow the trunk lid to open - took a bit to figure that one out. I may eventually go to the rod support.

[Blitzboy54]

I’m not too sure about the value of the gas struts. I have them and the cubby and they can limit what goes in there. I can tell you from experience an iPad leaning against the back wall will get pinched by the rotating strut and not allow the trunk lid to open - took a bit to figure that one out. I may eventually go to the rod support.

I'm curious what it looks like any chance you could snap a picture and share it?

[RBachman]

Here ya' go. I have these on mine and they work great.
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/1377/, #4138T53. I tried the 30lb. ones and they were too weak. So I jumped to 50lbs. and they work very well.

[GTBradley]

I'm curious what it looks like any chance you could snap a picture and share it?

The first photo is inside the trunk and the second is in the cubby. The tape measure body is 3”. I hope that is what you were asking for.

149826 149827

[Blitzboy54]

The first photo is inside the trunk and the second is in the cubby. The tape measure body is 3”. I hope that is what you were asking for.

149826 149827

This was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[ggunter]

I had the same issue after putting it the cubby and then found I couln't use the gas struts with out modification so I ordered the trunk prop from ********** and it works very well. I ordered it and got it in two weeks. This was within the las two months. I know the issues he has been having but I couldn't find one else where so I chanced it and it worked ok.

[RBachman]

149837149838
This is the Cubby using the short struts in the trunk I mentioned above.

[Blitzboy54]

149837149838
This is the Cubby using the short struts in the trunk I mentioned above.

That's perfect. I think we have a winner.

By the way the color of your car is amazing

[RBachman]

That's perfect. I think we have a winner.

By the way the color of your car is amazing

You're welcome, and thanks!