Correct order for installing lift springs and hood hinges

Lsxtrucker · February 21, 2020

So some of you are probably aware I had a little "incident" requiring me to replace both hood lift spring hinges and the hood hinge supports on both sides. I'm just wondering what order you would assemble it to prevent any further headaches or injury.

So far I've marked with a sharpie where the hood hinge supports attach to my hood (three bolts each side) so it'll line up near where it belongs.

I was planning on removing the one bolt and nut on each side of the hood near the windshield cowl that holds the hood to the truck. Then having a neighbor help me lift off the hood I will flip it over and install my new hood hinge supports (three bolts each side)

I'm wondering should I wait until the hood hinge supports and hood itself are installed before installing the hood hinge that contains the spring (and lifts the hood) on each side? Or when the hood is off should I install the hood spring hinges?

My theory would be it might be easier to install the hood without the hood spring assemblies installed yet so it could sit flat instead of in a lifted position. But I very well could be wrong

The other option would be to install the hood spring assembly on each side while the hood is off (but would require my helper and I to lift the hood on in a raised position, then attach the hood hinges with the springs to the hood hinge supports in a "hood raised" position.

I want to prevent a mistake or any major problem from doing this incorrectly. Also do you know if the hood hinges with the springs attach with the bolt side in or the nut side in?

If anyone has access to information that says how this is supposed to be done and would share an image it would be greatly appreciated. If not, what order would you go about doing this? Hood hinge supports first (with the one bolt on each cowl side going in first, then lift hood to install spring assemblies, or install spring assemblies whole the hood is off or do I have this all wrong. Hopefully I made sense out of this because the parts come tomorrow.

Thanks very much.

Edited February 21, 2020 by Lsxtrucker

sefiroxx · February 21, 2020

Hinge to truck, then hood.

I have removed, installed many.

Get a couple of large bath/pool towels and a neighbor.

Wad the towels up and place in the corners, between the hinge and windshield roughly where the corners of the hood would be.

Two of you lift hood, angle it, rest on the towels. Neighbor moves to front to hold hood up.

You can then work at the corners, lifting and shifting to match the hole - the other corner will slide in the towel. Once one bolt is in, do the other corner. Install remaining bolts - hand tighten.

Move the towels to cover the fenders at front corners and drape in. Slowly close to check alignment, towels separating hood and fender.

Open, adjust, repeat

Lsxtrucker · February 21, 2020

Thanks very much for replying. I managed to get the new hood spring hinges on with the old 3 bolt supports. When the hood flew back it bent the heck out of the spring lift hinges, the supports survived with minimal bending. I ordered 2 new lift hinges and 2 new supports so your instructions are what I needed to the the T. So I guess I have some new hinge supports for whenever I source a replacement hood down the road.

You are greatly appreciated. Glad you understood my writing which was all over the place.

Attached a pic of the hood lifted without my broom stick. I'm a happy country boy.