New hood hinges for 73-80?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Cousin

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2019
Posts
276
Reaction score
809
Location
West Alabama
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
I’ve heard of upgraded hinges that include gas shocks for square bodies but I’m unable to find anything online. The person that saw this said it was on the book of faces but has not been able to find it again. Has anyone seen this?
 

RecklessWOT

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Posts
2,556
Reaction score
4,764
Location
New Hampshire
First Name
Kevin
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V10 Suburban Silverado
Engine Size
350 TBI
So are these things just for style? I know about the old style hoods buckling/cracking at the hinge, but I can't imagine switching to a gas strut vs spring making that much of a difference, changing/bracing the hood is probably the best bet. I feel like my standard hinges work just fine, and couldn't imagine wanting to spend a single cent to change the thing that holds my hood up to a more expensive thing that holds my hood up, unless I had an all out custom truck with like 20 grand under that hood I needed to show off. And even then who is seriously gonna say "wow sweet engine, but oh no look at those yucky stock hinges"
 

80BrownK10

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Posts
1,878
Reaction score
1,247
Location
Greenwood, SC
First Name
Nate
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
I’ve heard of upgraded hinges that include gas shocks for square bodies but I’m unable to find anything online. The person that saw this said it was on the book of faces but has not been able to find it again. Has anyone seen this?
Probably some custom setup from pulled junkyard parts
 

Cousin

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2019
Posts
276
Reaction score
809
Location
West Alabama
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Thanks Eskimomann, looks like wamrod is probably what I heard about. Appears to be more of an ‘assist’ than a ‘replace’. It should be easier on an old man’s worn out shoulders.
 

80BrownK10

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Posts
1,878
Reaction score
1,247
Location
Greenwood, SC
First Name
Nate
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Thanks Eskimomann, looks like wamrod is probably what I heard about. Appears to be more of an ‘assist’ than a ‘replace’. It should be easier on an old man’s worn out shoulders.
The springs are removed it looks like. There replaced by those gas struts.
 

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
7,256
Reaction score
15,848
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
Thanks Eskimomann, looks like wamrod is probably what I heard about. Appears to be more of an ‘assist’ than a ‘replace’. It should be easier on an old man’s worn out shoulders.
They would be a WHOLE lot easier on this old man's worn out wallet!!
 

RoryH19

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2015
Posts
1,668
Reaction score
1,082
Location
Texas
First Name
Rory
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10 Silverado SWB
Engine Size
350 TBI
Wonder if these would prevent the buckling these hoods are known for?
 

Big Chip

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2017
Posts
4,656
Reaction score
6,734
Location
Michigan
First Name
Kevin
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C35
Engine Size
454
The problem with the hoods bending is actually caused by the hinge itself. Is the pivot points are worn out or dry the hinge will bind up. I replaced my old hinges when I replaced the hood using the same springs and it’s a night and day difference.

If you have a problem with the hood not sitting down at the rear but you can push it down where everything lines up without moving the hinge, it’s time to throw the old hinges away. Also, if you can lift it up further when it’s open and being held up by the springs, get new springs.
 

Cousin

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2019
Posts
276
Reaction score
809
Location
West Alabama
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
3 good points Big Chip. Thanks
 

bluex

Full Access Member
Joined
May 9, 2013
Posts
1,970
Reaction score
2,570
Location
Spartanburg SC
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C15
Engine Size
350
A solution to not bending a 73-80 hood also lies in how you close it. Don't grab it an pull straight down. You have to push towards the windshield as you pull down. That gets the hinges moving in the right direction with less stress on the hood.

The other is to oil the hinge pivots anytime you open the hood for maintenance or upgrades.
 

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
7,256
Reaction score
15,848
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
Paul is exactly right, the correct way to close your hood!!!!!!
 

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
7,256
Reaction score
15,848
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
Paul, don't push your luck too much!!!
 

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
15,942
Reaction score
25,308
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,132
Posts
949,981
Members
36,237
Latest member
fr3ak5how
Top