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I have put together a turnkey kit that replaces the function of the prop rod on coupes using gas struts like most modern cars have. The prop rod seemed to always get in my way when I was doing projects in the rear of the car and to be honest I just wanted to make what I consider to be the gem of the car (the mid engine) stand out even more when the rear hatch is open.
After many, many, revisions and tests I have finally come up with what I believe is the best solution for our coupes given that I did not want to drill holes to put brackets on the car. The kit comes with the 4 brackets powder coated black, 2 gas struts, and black anodized hardware. I will send each kit out preassembled with the hardware that holds the ball studs on each of the 4 brackets so that all you need to do is install the 4 brackets using a 4mm Allen wrench and pop on the gas struts in the kit.
Assembly is very straight forward. You remove 2 bolts in 4 locations on the car in order to then attach the 4 brackets I have provided onto those OEM locations. The places you will attach my brackets are still held in place by 2 other bolts in each of the 4 locations which means nothing moves or needs to be re-aligned during or after install. I have embedded a video of the install below to give you an idea of how easy the install is. This kit can be removed later to put the car back to the way it came from the factory. There is no cutting/drilling or any other measures that are permanent involved.
I am offering the kit initially in a group buy in the hopes that there are enough coupe owners that want this to get a small discount on getting more made. I am thinking of doing the group buy through the 18th. After the group buy ends my guess is that it will be about 3 weeks before the kits from the group buy start shipping (mainly because of the powder coat). Pricing will be $295 plus shipping for the initial group buy and then $350 plus shipping after that.
UPDATE 1:
I have set up the website finally. (this was the best domain I could find
) The site should calculate your shipping based on the box size and weight and give you options depending on where you live. By using Shopify I am able to get better shipping rates for you guys as well.
Please send me a PM if you have any issues getting through the checkout process or the website gives you any issues because of the country you are shipping to.
www.petrolfab.com
UPDATE 2:
If the struts touch the plastic shroud above them you can resolve that by adjusting that trim piece. That piece has a ton of play in it from the factory so it varies greatly from car to car whether the struts clear by a good bit or if they touch based on how it was either assembled at the factory or put back on by the last person who worked on the car. There is a 10mm bolt head on each side and a torx in the middle of the piece. You can loosen these and push the trim piece up and towards the front of the car to create clearance to the strut. I didn't have this issue on my car but after hearing from a couple other members I went and played with that piece in order to find a solution for everyone.
Video of opening and closing the hatch with the kit installed
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The kit includes the 4 brackets pre-assembled with black ball studs and hardware along with 2 gas struts
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Close up shot of driver's side forward bracket installed
![Automotive tire Vehicle Hood Steering wheel Automotive design]()
Close up shot of passenger side forward bracket installed
![Hood Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive design Automotive exterior]()
Close up of driver's side hatch bracket installed
Install Video
After many, many, revisions and tests I have finally come up with what I believe is the best solution for our coupes given that I did not want to drill holes to put brackets on the car. The kit comes with the 4 brackets powder coated black, 2 gas struts, and black anodized hardware. I will send each kit out preassembled with the hardware that holds the ball studs on each of the 4 brackets so that all you need to do is install the 4 brackets using a 4mm Allen wrench and pop on the gas struts in the kit.
Assembly is very straight forward. You remove 2 bolts in 4 locations on the car in order to then attach the 4 brackets I have provided onto those OEM locations. The places you will attach my brackets are still held in place by 2 other bolts in each of the 4 locations which means nothing moves or needs to be re-aligned during or after install. I have embedded a video of the install below to give you an idea of how easy the install is. This kit can be removed later to put the car back to the way it came from the factory. There is no cutting/drilling or any other measures that are permanent involved.
I am offering the kit initially in a group buy in the hopes that there are enough coupe owners that want this to get a small discount on getting more made. I am thinking of doing the group buy through the 18th. After the group buy ends my guess is that it will be about 3 weeks before the kits from the group buy start shipping (mainly because of the powder coat). Pricing will be $295 plus shipping for the initial group buy and then $350 plus shipping after that.
UPDATE 1:
I have set up the website finally. (this was the best domain I could find
) The site should calculate your shipping based on the box size and weight and give you options depending on where you live. By using Shopify I am able to get better shipping rates for you guys as well.Please send me a PM if you have any issues getting through the checkout process or the website gives you any issues because of the country you are shipping to.
www.petrolfab.com
UPDATE 2:
If the struts touch the plastic shroud above them you can resolve that by adjusting that trim piece. That piece has a ton of play in it from the factory so it varies greatly from car to car whether the struts clear by a good bit or if they touch based on how it was either assembled at the factory or put back on by the last person who worked on the car. There is a 10mm bolt head on each side and a torx in the middle of the piece. You can loosen these and push the trim piece up and towards the front of the car to create clearance to the strut. I didn't have this issue on my car but after hearing from a couple other members I went and played with that piece in order to find a solution for everyone.
Video of opening and closing the hatch with the kit installed
The kit includes the 4 brackets pre-assembled with black ball studs and hardware along with 2 gas struts
Close up shot of driver's side forward bracket installed
Close up shot of passenger side forward bracket installed
Close up of driver's side hatch bracket installed
Install Video
