Rear Trunk Shock Kit

[914kit]

Anyone installed the rear trunk shock kit sold at pelican parts?
does it interfere at all with the targa top?
does it require any welding?

[jtencer]

I'm pretty sure it's just a bolt on, no welding required. What does Pelican say?

John
'72 914

[Rich Hilgersom]

I have a setup close the Pelican kit. It also was meant to bolt on. It does not interfere with the top.

Normally you would drill a few holes in the upper hinge and mount the supplied bracket with the strut nipple on it. Then drill though the rain channel on the side trunk for the other one. You must also trim an inch off the top firewall lip for it to sit flush.

I was not about to drill my rain channel so I welded the lower bracket. For the hinged I first tried to weld the bracket, It works but not the cleanest look. I did the other side by grinding off the nipple mount, drilling a small hole (just smaller than the nipple) on the hindge, then I butterfly welded the nipple onto the hindge and ground the weld flush.

I went to the extreme to move the lower brackets around so they are not symetrical but the trunk fits perfectly.

Its nice not to hear the creaks and groans of the old setup and I was able to toss the old tension rods out.

-Rich

[This message has been edited by Rich Hilgersom (edited 05-23-2001).]

[scg]

I just did this about a month ago -- really easy! There was no welding and the top fits fine. A drill and a Dremel were all the tools needed. The screws in the rain channel have nice rubber grommets. As long as you repaint all the bare metal that you get from the *minor* cutting and drilling, you should be fine.

As an added bonus, the trunk torsion bars are really easy to take off if you don't want to sell them (zip ties and Dremel = BANG!)

I may have some pictures at home that I'll attempt to post here if you like.

Scott

[Tiramisu]

Scott,

I am going to install the Pelican kit soon. I would be great to see those photos if you have the time. Thanks

[Va914]

Is the kit needed? Can generic shocks from the FLAPS be used? I know kits are easier but I have more time then money right now.

Thanks

[scg]

Here are the shots from a less than perfect camera. I've got to buy my own digital camera, but I'll have to wait until after I've got the car back together . . . and put a few k-mile on it!

The whole setup:


Upper attachment detail:


Lower attachment detail:


The two slots that need to be cut:


{other image deleted so post would appear. other slot is smaller -- everyone's trunk is a little different}

And the two screws in the rain channel:


No Comments On The Garage! We're moving next month! If I don't get the car up and running, my wife has threatend to leave it behind (and the teen of the new owner is salivating !

Scott
2.7 914 on the road in June -- or else!

[This message has been edited by scg (edited 05-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by scg (edited 05-25-2001).]

Whoa! Those look like the early Mariner 9 pictures of Mars. Ugh!

[This message has been edited by scg (edited 05-25-2001).]

[kena]

Originally posted by scg:
Here are the shots from a less than perfect camera. I've got to buy my own digital camera, but I'll have to wait until after I've got the car back together . . . and put a few k-mile on it!

The whole setup:


Upper attachment detail:


Lower attachment detail:


The two slots that need to be cut:


{other image deleted so post would appear. other slot is smaller -- everyone's trunk is a little different}

And the two screws in the rain channel:


No Comments On The Garage! We're moving next month! If I don't get the car up and running, my wife has threatend to leave it behind (and the teen of the new owner is salivating !

Scott
2.7 914 on the road in June -- or else!

[This message has been edited by scg (edited 05-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by scg (edited 05-25-2001).]

Whoa! Those look like the early Mariner 9 pictures of Mars. Ugh!

[This message has been edited by scg (edited 05-25-2001).]

Is it ok to cut out the upper firewall for the strut. Does this create a potential leak problem,etc. I was thinking of mounting the upper part of the strut to some of the rear trunk bracing material just past the firewall so it wouldn't have to be cut. Good or bad idea?