Trunk lid supports in a 48 Ford coupe

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fast4wrd

New member
Has anyone replaced the trunk lid support arms and springs combination in a 48 Ford coupe with aftermarket ones? How were the results?
Has anyone used just the replacement springs on their current arms? There is a considerable difference in price, is it worth it to replace the complete arm and spring or just go with the springs. Would like to hear from someone that has already done this.
 
I replaced mine in my 46 coupe with new ones from Bob Drake
several years ago, the arm and spring, have been very satisfied
I didn't think it would be very easy to change the springs...Ernie
 
Hi,I replaced my arms on my 1946 convertable with Bob Drakes.They worked great and looked good.Not an easy job to change the springs. Dave C.
 
Generally replacing only the springs is a temporary fix. Often the pivot pins are badly worn and eventually break if you don't replace them when doing the springs.The new Drake arms are much improved over the first ones. I would buy the complete unit if it was me.
 
Since this article was first posted, I have improved its operation by making Part B longer and bending it a little more. I will take a photo and post tomorrow.
 
fast4wrd said:
Has anyone replaced the trunk lid support arms and springs combination in a 48 Ford coupe with aftermarket ones? How were the results?
Has anyone used just the replacement springs on their current arms? There is a considerable difference in price, is it worth it to replace the complete arm and spring or just go with the springs. Would like to hear from someone that has already done this.
Click to expand...

I just finished about 2 hours ago fixing the support arms on my 47 coupe. Took about 5 minutes on each side. I wish I could take credit for this method but I got the info from barner Mark Slight. I may not have followed exactly how he did it but the result is the same, the lit stays up with no problem. I took pics and plan to post the as soon as I figure that out. If you are looking for a point car this is NOT what you want. It is just a matter of placing a 3/4 inch nut between the end of the spring and the bracket where the hook normally hooks. Stand the nut upright where you can look thru the nut and tie it in place with a ty-rap. This puts pleanty of additional spring pressure on the arm to hold the lid up. I also just found that the screw that connects the lower arm to the trunk is adjustable. I had to move one of these up about half of its travel.
 
I forgot to say that these are new arms but I don't know where they came from as they were on the care when it got it.
 
Disregard, posting on an old old post so I can get my newbie 9 posts so I can contact a member, never heard of probation for a forum
 
The addition of a gas strut to one of the stock support arms and while not "stock" looking works very well.
 

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I was working in the trunk of my recently purchased 47 Convertible. The trunklid was open but no support rod. I heard a noise and somehow realized that the lid was closing, (Grace of God) and threw my hand up to catch it. It would have caused some headaches to this old 88 year old head if I hadn't caught it. I'm shopping now for a support rod.
 
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