Decklid stand off kit problem

Killer Karmann · Post by **Killer Karmann** » Wed May 22, 2002 6:17 pm

Don't kick the lid back to the most extreme position. If it's too far back all the mentioned trouble arrives, just kick it open approx. 1-2" from the body. It will deffinately get enough air!!

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"Limitations Produce Imitations" make it, "Your-LOOK"

JohnConnolly · Post by **JohnConnolly** » Wed May 22, 2002 8:11 pm

I need to check interest on a new product. We are testing a set of air struts to allow the decklid to stay up or down (no hands, or screwdrivers, or lame props), with the standoffs. It's aircraft quality, but $100 for a kit (beautiful, all stainless).

Anyone, Bueller?

John
Aircooled.Net Inc.

SuperBeetle1973 · Post by **SuperBeetle1973** » Wed May 22, 2002 10:36 pm

http://www.wolfgangint.com this product will allow you to use your existing deck lid spring with stand offs. do a search for "hoodlum."

[This message has been edited by SuperBeetle1973 (edited 05-22-2002).]

Bucko · Post by **Bucko** » Thu May 23, 2002 4:51 am

John Connolly,

Can you explain a bit more? I never installed the hinge kit thing because I did not like the look of the rear deck lid popped out; I felt it took away from the lines of the car. I know it helps to cool the engine, but it just didn't look right to me. Will this idea/product you are thinking of allow an owner to pop out the deck lid at the top, then push the lid back down against the car once we are at a show for instance, or are you just refering to the deck lid to stay open because the spring is removed?

I was always waiting for somthing like this, or for someone to make a different rear deck lid that had some sort of built in scoop at the top to allow more air in, but not ruin the "lines" of the car.

[This message has been edited by Bucko (edited 05-23-2002).]

JohnConnolly · Post by **JohnConnolly** » Thu May 23, 2002 4:11 pm

they are kinda like hood struts, or trunklid struts on a vanagon. Only aircraft struts (last 10X as long, instead of requiring replacement every 1-2 years). This means you open your deck, and let go and it stays open, no screwdrivers or broomhandles to keep it open. normally you lose your decklid spring when you use the standoffs.

John
Aircooled.Net Inc.

JordanK · Post by **JordanK** » Thu May 23, 2002 7:15 pm

As mentioned above, my decklid doesnt' close w/ the standoffs installed. I've been running w/out a rear bumper for a while, but does anyone have a better solution? I've played w/ the adjustment in the standoff kit, nothing works. I guess redrilling the brackets is the only way to go? I once saw a car that had the bottom of the decklid offset, the guy used two long bolts and just raised the latch plate about 2" from the body of the car. Any thoughts on that?

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Jordan
1963 Beetle, 5 spokes, 1776, dropped spindles, etc...
1973 Standard Beetle, stock.
1968 Fastback, stock for now

Holmes · Post by **Holmes** » Thu May 23, 2002 7:42 pm

I'm thinking about getting another set of decklid mounting brackets (The 'J' shaped metal pieces that bolt to the upper-inner engine compartment) and having them bent up about 2-3". I think this should allow the latch to hook onto the apron.

airc00led · Post by **airc00led** » Thu May 23, 2002 11:23 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by JohnConnolly:
I need to check interest on a new product. We are testing a set of air struts to allow the decklid to stay up or down (no hands, or screwdrivers, or lame props), with the standoffs. It's aircraft quality, but $100 for a kit (beautiful, all stainless).

Anyone, Bueller?

John
Aircooled.Net Inc.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

WOOT! sound defnitely cool. Can stay up or down? So I guess they are re-fillable air struts? Pump them up to get the deck lid to stand off and then let the pressure out to get it back to stock? Is there any way you can show a picture of the kit, or perhaps provide an more detailed explanation on how it works?

As you said a $100 a pop is kinda pricey. Its one of those things that you just dont *need* to spend a C note on. I supposed IF I had nothing else on my car that I could put the 100 in, then yes I would be interested in such a thing.

airc00led · Post by **airc00led** » Fri May 24, 2002 6:43 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by JohnConnolly:
This means you open your deck, and let go and it stays open,<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ahh I misunderstood...struts used like that I personally would not be interested in. I have the quick release pins installed in the hinges, anytime I would need to keep my deck lid open long enough that would require the boom handle, I just pop the pins an pull the whole thing off.

JordanK
I have seen or heard of 3 things to overcome this problem.

1. Extend the bumper
2. "notch" the bumper. I have see people cut out a curve in the bumper so the deck lid can open
3. use the cal look bumper bars

Bucko · Post by **Bucko** » Fri May 24, 2002 8:18 am

Hey JohnConnolly and airc00led,
The two of you should get together and create "airc00led's" idea! I like the idea of pumping out the back lid for driving to maximize the cooling of the engine, and then letting out the air for show, or parking. The idea of the deck lid always "out" at the top concerns me as to rain, critters, and junk getting easily into the back of the engine compartment.

What are the chances of someone out there capitalizing on airc00led's idea?

airc00led · Post by **airc00led** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 6:58 am

Holmes,

I just reinstalled the stand-offs on the lid of my 63. I found the right combo of adjustments so that the latch catches, and I did not have to bend it at all.

At the front hole in the stand off (where it mounts to the body) I put 4 flat washers in between the body and the stand-off. The hinge carrier is adjusted all the way forward, and the hinge in the carrier is all the way "up"

This setup worked for me, it clears the bumper (barely) the lid sits on the gasket as it should and locks correctly.

Holmes · Post by **Holmes** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 2:07 pm

So you are saying that the "single" hole in the triangle (The one closest to the body of the car) is the one where you put 4 washers? So basically, the washers helped to tilt the stand-off in an upward direction? I hadn't thought of that. I'll have to dust off the stand-offs and take another look at it.

-H

airc00led · Post by **airc00led** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 2:23 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Holmes:
So you are saying that the "single" hole in the triangle (The one closest to the body of the car) is the one where you put 4 washers? So basically, the washers helped to tilt the stand-off in an upward direction?-H<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Exactly. The washers tilted the mounts up just enough so that the latch would catch.

vwdreams · Post by **vwdreams** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 5:58 pm

My home made stand off kit for my ghia works like a champ. I had some 2/3 inch conduit cut (4) 1 1/2 half pieces and bought longer bolts. my home made kit cost $2.12. The latch still works fine I don't know if I got lucky or because it is a Ghia.

Holmes · Post by **Holmes** » Fri Jun 21, 2002 6:43 pm

Excellent, I'll have to hit the hardware store and get some washers. Thanks for the tip airc00led!

-H