Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Talk about the E-Type Series 1

Topic author
Knightrider
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed May 28, 2025 7:03 pm
Location: High Wycombe, UK
Great Britain

#1 Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Post by Knightrider » Wed Sep 17, 2025 8:12 am

My left-hand bonnet balance link is broken so I will be looking to replace them when I refit my bonnet. Before I order, I was wondering if anyone has retrofitted a gas strut to the series 1 cars to make life easier? Most of the available struts/brackets seem to be specific to the series 2?
Simon
1966 Series 1 2+2

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mgcjag
Moderator
Posts: 9173
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 pm
Location: Ludlow Shropshire
Great Britain

#2 Re: Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Post by mgcjag » Wed Sep 17, 2025 8:53 am

Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Gfhug
Posts: 3847
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2014 3:08 pm
Location: Near Andover, Hampshire,in D.O. Blighty
Great Britain

#3 Re: Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Post by Gfhug » Wed Sep 17, 2025 10:10 am

One thing to remember is that the attachment point on the bonnet is a strengthening plate. I’ve not read all the Jaglovers Steve has referred to, maybe it is mentioned there also.

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Knightrider
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed May 28, 2025 7:03 pm
Location: High Wycombe, UK
Great Britain

#4 Re: Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Post by Knightrider » Wed Sep 17, 2025 11:33 am

Useful thread - thanks. A bit more involved than I want to go I think - I'd rather not do anything irreversible. I guess I was hoping someone had developed a bolt-on adapter!

New balance links it is...
Simon
1966 Series 1 2+2

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mgcjag
Moderator
Posts: 9173
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 pm
Location: Ludlow Shropshire
Great Britain

#5 Re: Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Post by mgcjag » Wed Sep 17, 2025 11:37 am

Did you see the last post on JL.... its one drilled hole and a large washer.....Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Knightrider
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed May 28, 2025 7:03 pm
Location: High Wycombe, UK
Great Britain

#6 Re: Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Post by Knightrider » Wed Sep 17, 2025 1:19 pm

Using the clutch master arm? Neat idea, but as Geoff has said wouldn't the bonnet need strengthening?
Simon
1966 Series 1 2+2

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

User avatar

mgcjag
Moderator
Posts: 9173
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:15 pm
Location: Ludlow Shropshire
Great Britain

#7 Re: Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Post by mgcjag » Thu Sep 18, 2025 7:48 am

Bonnet strengthened by the large washer...or asmentioned in the link use a plate with rivnuts or even rivets rather than weld....very simple diy solution....Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Knightrider
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed May 28, 2025 7:03 pm
Location: High Wycombe, UK
Great Britain

#8 Re: Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Post by Knightrider » Thu Sep 18, 2025 9:33 am

I'll look into it! On series 2 cars, there is only a strut on one side - is the other side just the hinge pin, or is there a balance spring as well?
Simon
1966 Series 1 2+2

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Gfhug
Posts: 3847
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2014 3:08 pm
Location: Near Andover, Hampshire,in D.O. Blighty
Great Britain

#9 Re: Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Post by Gfhug » Thu Sep 18, 2025 9:43 am

Only the strut on one side

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links


Topic author
Knightrider
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed May 28, 2025 7:03 pm
Location: High Wycombe, UK
Great Britain

#10 Re: Retrofit gas strut to series 1 2+2?

Post by Knightrider » Thu Sep 18, 2025 1:02 pm

I've just found this old post as well:

viewtopic.php?t=4512#p110010

Looks like the strut is mounted to the original balancer bracket? Quite a nice solution with no permanent changes - not sure if the strut is the same as the series 2 or a different length to make it work though.
Simon
1966 Series 1 2+2

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
Hide post links
Show post links

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic