Ok. These are the instructions. No one has died or suffered catastrophic injury using them so I assume they are easy to follow. Here we go.
1-Open trunk
2-Remove trunk side panels
3-Have someone hold the trunk lid open or use a 2x4. Using a 2x4 will allow the trunk lid one last vengeful bop.
4-Remove the bolts from the trunk lid and slowly rotate the hinges toward the rear of the car. Remember the spring has some tension in it at this point. Don't get your fingers pinched.
5-Remove the spring.
6-Remove the nut from behind the hinge and carefully work it out of the body. Slowly. Take a toothbrush or wire brush and clean out the tube.
7-After applying a LIGHT coat of oil or lithium grease on it, install the aluminum dowel (The part Bill will supply or make it yourself if you can, using the measurements from Procraft's sheet above) with the large end facing the inside of the trunk and put a small drop of blue Locktite on the threads of the Allen head bolt. Install the washer and Allen head in from inside the fender.
8-Thread in one of the ball head bolts you got from McMaster-Carr to the big end of the dowel.
9-lnstall the trunk lid bracket using the beveled head allen bolts.. Remember to countersink the holes! See pictures. Don’t tighten them up just yet. Just snug so they will hold a location in step 12. (Once “centered” you can unscrew one at a time and put a little blue Locktite on each. I didn’t on mine, but you might want to.) (The flat sides of the brackets should be facing each other from across the trunk when you’re done.) Install a ball head bolt with the head facing outward, then secure with the lock nut from the inside
10-Make sure your assistant has a hold of the trunk lid…… Attach the gas piston, black cylinder end up, to the trunk lid bracket ball head. I smack it with my hand but you can use a rubber mallet. If you are using the 2x4 method, this is where you’ll get at least one additional vengeful bop.
11-Do the same on the other side.
12-Test fit.. Remember, you now have 60 pounds of force trying to open or close your trunk now. Hang on to the chrome trunk lift and keep your fingers clear of the sealing surfaces for this part.. Don’t ask how I know…… Slowly lower the trunk lid until it touches the body. Should be smooth and non binding. Open slowly and tighten the bevel heads holding the trunk lid bracket. Do this a few times to confirm smooth action.
Assuming all’s well, put your panels back in, pop a can of your favorite and invite your friends. People tend to like to play with it…