trunk lid spring support for 1940 Ford Coupe

S

steve fritz

Well-known member
Can anybody recommend a supplier for a pair of trunk lid spring supports???
Are the BOB DRAKE items good? Any body else reproducing them??
Thanks, I need a good pair for my project car, my originals are shot.
 
steve fritz said:
Can anybody recommend a supplier for a pair of trunk lid spring supports???
Are the BOB DRAKE items good? Any body else reproducing them??
Thanks, I need a good pair for my project car, my originals are shot.
Click to expand...

Drakes were terrible at one time. Then they were great. Not certain if they still are.
 
I have at least one extra set of Drakes supports that I never used on my converts. I would say I purchased them about 6 years ago.
 

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Not sure if the 40 convert. and coupe trunk springs are interchangeable.
The trunk lids are not.
 
Follow up on this question.....I bought the Bob Drake trunk lid supports and installed them today. They seem to be very well made and work fine with one exception. When you open the trunk lid, the spring mechanism, "locks" the lid support arms in the open position. So when you want to lower the lid again, the springs remained in this locked position, and will not allow the lid to be lowered. Then what you have to do , is manually push the supports out of this locked position, in order to get the lid to lower.
Anybody else experience this and have you figured out a fix for it???
Steve
 
Steve, If possible, please post photos of your springs including that lock support mechanism you mentioned.
It sounds like it's different from the stock springs. Thanks, JIM
 
steve fritz said:
Follow up on this question.....I bought the Bob Drake trunk lid supports and installed them today. They seem to be very well made and work fine with one exception. When you open the trunk lid, the spring mechanism, "locks" the lid support arms in the open position. So when you want to lower the lid again, the springs remained in this locked position, and will not allow the lid to be lowered. Then what you have to do , is manually push the supports out of this locked position, in order to get the lid to lower.
Anybody else experience this and have you figured out a fix for it???
Steve
Click to expand...

Yes Steve, unfortunately you are not alone. I'd installed a set of these on a clients '40 coupe last year and experienced the exact same dilemma.
It appears that while Drake redesigned the supports some time ago to actually support the trunk lid (his early supports did not) he may have gone a bit too far and as such, at least some sets, won't allow a smooth lowering - that is, without manual aid.
 
My 40 conv had a set of what I was told were Mr 40. They were too strong on the conv lid and kept a load on the hinges and latch when closed and was actually pressing up on the lid at the hinges. Maybe someone put the strut kit for a coupe on my conv? as the coupe lid is longer and heavier. I am switching back to the org arms as soon as I find the lower brackets (or buy Carpenters kit to get them). Anyone parting a coupe or conv and will selling the brackets? Thanks
 
STEVE O said:
My 40 conv had a set of what I was told were Mr 40. They were too strong on the conv lid and kept a load on the hinges and latch when closed and was actually pressing up on the lid at the hinges. Maybe someone put the strut kit for a coupe on my conv? as the coupe lid is longer and heavier. I am switching back to the org arms as soon as I find the lower brackets (or buy Carpenters kit to get them). Anyone parting a coupe or conv and will selling the brackets? Thanks
Click to expand...

I had a similar experience with the struts sold by Mr. '40s on my coupe. A nice set of stock hinges work just fine, although my lid is lighter because the original latch and license frame have been removed. They sound much better too! :cool:
 
KUBE.....what did you end up doing to alleviate this problem?? Is it fixable?? I would think if the notch was made somewhat shallower, that is , not as deep, the two arms of the hinge would not tend to lock into each other. So then , a little downward pressure when you go to close the lid , would allow the arms to rotate into the closing position easier.
Any ideas or experience fixing this??
Steve
 
Did you run into any adjustment issues? I am putting new trunk lid adjusting arms on my forty convert also. One side is not level with the body.
 
More on my trunk lid install. The original adjusting arms allowed the lid to set perfectly on the body, they just didn't hold up the trunk. I could go back the those if anyone knows how to stiffen them up. Thanks
 
Lorink said:
More on my trunk lid install. The original adjusting arms allowed the lid to set perfectly on the body, they just didn't hold up the trunk. I could go back the those if anyone knows how to stiffen them up. Thanks
Click to expand...
I'd suggest you compare each new support to the respective old one very carefully. Angles, bends, lengths... if they all match the authentic support(s) then it's time to check the adjustment of each support installed.
To rebuild your old supports is easy. After disassembly, you'll need to weld up elongated holes that will surely be present and drill / ream on proper location to the correct diameter. Then, replace the rivet.
I've had better fortune with authentic supports than the repops.
 
I would stay far away from any of those strut kits for a deck lid. They exert far too much pressure on the lid when closing it. Over time your trunk lid will not fit properly.
 
Kube, thanks for the info. I'll pull off the new ones and compare with the new set. Might have a few more questions on the rebuild of the old springs if it come to that. Thank again.
 
Steve this is what is happening to my deck lid on my 40 convertible. New set of support arms from Drake. When I put them on the new arms pushed the deck lid up above the level of the body, which before was perfectly even with the body. Do support arms for a coupe look different than those for a convertible?
 
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