'41 - '48 Trunk supports

meric42

meric42

Well-known member
Has anybody fitted reproduction trunk arm & springs Part #: 11A-7742400 to their '41 - '48 coupe, if so were they fit for purpose? I have fitted what appeared to be very good used supports (that I bought from a vendor at last years Grand National meet) but these will not hold my trunk lid on their own. Before I shell out the nearly $200 for a repo set I would like to be confident that they will work properly. :)
 
Try welding a 2 inch long piece of flat steel on each of the upper arms on yours to extend their length.
Higher lift angle makes all the difference.
Eases the strain.
Works on 39 coupes.
The early Drake repro ones for 39's did not hold the trunk lid up.
 
swoopNZ said:
Try welding a 2 inch long piece of flat steel on each of the upper arms on yours to extend their length.
Higher lift angle makes all the difference.
Eases the strain.
Works on 39 coupes.
The early Drake repro ones for 39's did not hold the trunk lid up.
Click to expand...

Thanks I will give that a try :)
 
I just ordered a set from Dennis Carpenter, (the number was # 11A-7744200) for $165 delivered cost. These are for my 47 Coupe. The ones for the sedans are a different length, I believe about 2" shorter. The shorter ones would not work too well on the coupe.
When they get here I will let you know how they work out.
 
Cool Hand Lurker said:
I just ordered a set from Dennis Carpenter, (the number was # 11A-7744200) for $165 delivered cost. These are for my 47 Coupe. The ones for the sedans are a different length, I believe about 2" shorter. The shorter ones would not work too well on the coupe.
When they get here I will let you know how they work out.
Click to expand...

Thanks :)
 
I bought new repro ones and installed them. I do not trust them as I have my battery located in the trunk and have had the trunk lid come down on me while laying inside. Now I support the lid with a 2x4 for safety reasons.
 
I young man smarter than me showed me a trunk support arm lock which is very easy to make, you need a piece of channel about 2&1/2 inches long the will fit over top arm of support. Drill a 1/4 inch hole and tap for 1/4 inch hood should bolt. You need to have the channel slotted about inch long to accept shoulder on bolt. When you raise trunk the channel slides down and stopes against lower arm and bolt keeps it from moving. When you want to shut the trunk, raise the channel and your are good to go. Downside is you are consistently touching up the paint and judges may not like it, will try to post picture if I can’t send email and I will get you s picture if interested.
 

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The trunk lid supports are different for the sedan, 99A 7044200/1, and the coupes and convertibles, 11A 7744200/1 for 41-48. Earlier cars,39-40 use a prefix of 91A. If you need new shoulder bolts, mounting bolts, and special washers, C&G has them in a kit for about $15. The price of the arms is about $150 for the pair, and worth the cost just to protect your head!
 
flathead48 said:
I young man smarter than me showed me a trunk support arm lock which is very easy to make, you need a piece of channel about 2&1/2 inches long the will fit over top arm of support. Drill a 1/4 inch hole and tap for 1/4 inch hood should bolt. You need to have the channel slotted about inch long to accept shoulder on bolt. When you raise trunk the channel slides down and stopes against lower arm and bolt keeps it from moving. When you want to shut the trunk, raise the channel and your are good to go. Downside is you are consistently touching up the paint and judges may not like it, will try to post picture if I can’t send email and I will get you s picture if interested.
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That band-aid looks "cumbersome" to me. How about simply drilling a small (1/8") hole through both arms in that same area and placing a steel rivet in there when you want the lid to stay up?
I've done that on a couple of client's 1940 Ford "drivers" and not only is it very inconspicuous, it works rather well.
 
Kube your system sounds easy but this lock I show is not cumbersome. It slides in place when you open the trunk and easily slides up when you wand to close it . I am sure there is as many possibilities as imaginations ,this is what I use not saying it is the best but just thought I share it.
 
I purchase a new set from carpenter 25 years ago and they still hold the trunk up, this is a safety lock I put on to protect my young grandson who likes to climb around the car .not a band aide fix
 
Mine also wouldn't stay up so I disassembled them, drilled out the pivot holes, welded them up, redrilled to correct size, made a new pivot stud that connects the two arms and they worked great
 
Kube said:
That band-aid looks "cumbersome" to me. How about simply drilling a small (1/8") hole through both arms in that same area and placing a steel rivet in there when you want the lid to stay up?
I've done that on a couple of client's 1940 Ford "drivers" and not only is it very inconspicuous, it works rather well.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I did with my 47 I wanted to attach the pin with wire.. in the meantime I leave it in a magnetic tray I keep on the toolbox.. so it is always handy.. :D
 

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Vintage Copper 47 said:
That is exactly what I did with my 47 I wanted to attach the pin with wire.. in the meantime I leave it in a magnetic tray I keep on the toolbox.. so it is always handy.. :D
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I rigged up a lock on my '41 sort of like the above. Worked fine until my son tried the close the trunk. Guess what happened to the trunk support!
 
If you want to upgrade from the stock supports you can try this aftermarket hydraulic spring to hold the hood or trunk lid up without locks, etc. and at $25 each it is a hundred bucks cheaper than the new stock ones that I bought. They are available at Speedway and probably any other supplier too.
 

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Cool Hand Lurker said:
If you want to upgrade from the stock supports you can try this aftermarket hydraulic spring to hold the hood or trunk lid up without locks, etc. and at $25 each it is a hundred bucks cheaper than the new stock ones that I bought. They are available at Speedway and probably any other supplier too.
Click to expand...

not stock though :eek:
 
Vintage Copper 47 said:
not stock though :eek:
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Like I said "if you want to upgrade from stock". I also said that I had bought stock ones.
The jist of this whole thread was on how you can alter the stock supports. The hydraulic ones that I mentioned can be setup to hold the trunk or hood in a higher position for easy access. Original owners of these old cars were smaller than us and did not need the extra room like we do.
 
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