Anyone build, design or make a gas strut conversion to raise the rear trunk?

Thanks!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-914-rear-t...g-/293664404020

That kit appears to get in the way of storing the Targa top

http://camp914.com/products.html

Camp914's kit is the way to go, but IMHO the stock springs are better. My 914 has stock and the wife's came with the camp914 kit, the struts are sort of in the way, you have to go in straight on with placing the top in the trunk, I've rammed the strut a few times. Stock you can be a bit sloppy with your approach and still get it in there.

That sounds so sexual......

And the struts will eventually need to be replaced... For us with the 3.2 fuel rail, we were forced to dump the stock springs with this setup. Same thing with some of the other conversions like a SBC.

As a resident of "the frozen North," I curse the wanker who invented the pneumatic strut every winter. Try loading the back of an SUV with overhead rear cargo door in sub zero temps and see how well you like them.

I installed the CAMP 914 strut kit on my car and never looked back. No more worrying about monkeying with those dangerous torsion rods. Also, I have never found it to be difficult to stow the top in the least. And those struts work smooth as silk.

Ansbacher

@ri914 see photos. They allow for top storage. Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Thank you to everyone on the suggestions. Having cut through the trunk rods with a grinder wheel I can agree they can be dangerous.

I order a set from Camp. looking forward to the install.

Not sure everyone knows this, but was reading the rod end of the strut should be installed so it's lower than the housing. However, in most photos I've seen, the ends are swapped. Maybe the reason some don't last as long?

https://www.asraymond.com/gas-spring-proper-orientation.html
and
https://youtu.be/Dqh8Iy750Ho

Sherwood

All,

i know this is an older thread, but does anyone know the status of Camp 914's web site? i was wanting to purchase a gas shock kit for the rear trunk but i am not able to access the site.

are there any re-sellers of this product or something similar?

thanks for any help!

@Kemo

I spoke with Craig recently and he still has the rear trunk shock kit. Call him at (503) 799-5794

I agree with Bruce. I did this modification last month to my car and Craig was terrific to deal with and shipped immediately. Price was outstanding.

Don't do it!!!!!!! Strains the rear expensive deck lid and makes it impossibly hard to put the top in the trunk



quote name='ri914' date='Dec 27 2020, 08:46 PM' post='2878469']
Anyone build, design or make a gas strut conversion to raise the rear trunk?

Thanks!
[/quote]

The DAPO (who shall remain nameless) installed a set of gas struts on our factory six.

I don't like them. He cut the pinch weld between the trunk and the engine compartment, he drilled holes in the trunk hinges and the lip.

I think they are a butcher job and get in the way of the storing of the top.

And the ones on our six now have the lid hitting me on the head, so I have to carry a prop stick anyway.

I am going to remove them and install replacement torsion bars.

Thank you for this post. One of my 914s has a fiberglass rear trunk lid and a lightened GT style engine lid and I've used struts for both. Switching all three creates more clearance for the rear trunk lid against the rubber gasket and more clearance under the engine lid for the 3.2L's MAF sensor. The explanation of why the rod end should be down, in the link, makes a lot of sense but it is counterintuitive to what I had thought.

BTW, there is plenty of clearance with my Camp914 kit installed and if my aim with stowing the targa top is that far off, I'm nicking something anyway.

Use a socket (that fits the rod ends) and an extension and lever the rods off of the wheels, prop the trunk open before you cut the rods. Helps to pack rags in between the rods and the front trunk wall. When installed the rods store quite a bit of energy.

thanks for all the replies...seems like some like it and some dont. on mine, the torsion bars had ripped one side of the hinge mount off and the PO put it back in there with some screws. I think ill order the JWest kit to fix that.

I have a set on the shelf and will be installing after paint, hopefully will be fine

With new paint and all, you might consider installing the bases first. Welding and working around fresh paint could be disastrous. There’s usually some rust to contend with.

Thanks for the heads up, rust is 0, but a good idea to install, remove for paint and reinstall after