The Ford Barn

tubman · 04-19-2026, 01:59 PM

The hood on my '51 has always been hard to lift. In the last year, when the arthritis in my shoulders has gotten worse, I have been unable to open it and set the strut. A friend and I were discussing this problem this morning at breakfast, and decided maybe new hood springs might help. After breakfast, we stopped at my shop, so he could open the hood for me and we could check the springs. A quick look, and I could see there were no springs. I see them listed on Shoebox Central, so someone must have removed them at some time for reasons unknown to me.

Can someone out there post a picture so I can confirm that there really are hood springs and how they are attached? I think '50 and '51 are the same, but I believe '49's are different. Not being able to raise the hood by myself makes me hesitant to drive the car to any extant.

Shoebox · 04-20-2026, 11:30 AM

My '51 hood has been off for about 2 years, (soon to be going back on) but here are the springs and I know that the holes shown here are where they attach, but not sure on the exact arrangement. I'll have to figure that out when the time comes.

Tony, NY · 04-20-2026, 01:44 PM

Scroll thru the images of this "51. There are some under hood shots with springs showing. May help. https://classics.autotrader.com/clas...stom/102547059

tubman · 04-20-2026, 02:11 PM

Thanks a lot guys. I can see it now. It goes between the hole on the middle of the long front "arm" to the hole on the body brace in the lower right of "Shoebox"s photo.

From the description on "Shoebox Central", their purpose is to hold down the rear of the hood, and say nothing about assisting raising it. As I said, it's a heavy bitch. When I was looking for springs, I found plenty of springs for the same era trucks. The trucks have 4 heavy assist springs (two on each side). I have to wonder why truck drivers have help with a heavy hood and car owners don't.

farmertom · 04-23-2026, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Thanks a lot guys. I can see it now. It goes between the hole on the middle of the long front "arm" to the hole on the body brace in the lower right of "Shoebox"s photo.

From the description on "Shoebox Central", their purpose is to hold down the rear of the hood, and say nothing about assisting raising it. As I said, it's a heavy bitch. When I was looking for springs, I found plenty of springs for the same era trucks. The trucks have 4 heavy assist springs (two on each side). I have to wonder why truck drivers have help with a heavy hood and car owners don't.

I am trading my '37 ford fordor in on a '51 crestline victoria and now im concerned about the same with hood springs myself cause im not the one that opened. im in same boat with ya i have a frozen left shoulder. today ive been looking at videos of some '51 fords for sale usually have vids of hood open.its easier to see the hood spring arrangement on a car that has light colored paint in inner fenders. Tom.

tubman · 04-23-2026, 11:10 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by farmertom

I am trading my '37 ford fordor in on a '51 crestline victoria and now im concerned about the same with hood springs myself cause im not the one that opened. im in same boat with ya i have a frozen left shoulder. today ive been looking at videos of some '51 fords for sale usually have vids of hood open.its easier to see the hood spring arrangement on a car that has light colored paint in inner fenders. Tom.

I have the springs coming from "Shoebox Central". After reading about them and looking at the pictures, I don't think that they will help at all in raising the hood. As a matter of fact , if you look closely, they will probably make it even harder to open. I'll let you know when I get them installed.

I have already installed a knob on the steering wheel to help with turning.

TJ · 04-23-2026, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

I have the springs coming from "Shoebox Central". After reading about them and looking at the pictures, I don't think that they will help at all in raising the hood. As a matter of fact , if you look closely, they will probably make it even harder to open. I'll let you know when I get them installed.

I have already installed a knob on the steering wheel to help with turning.

Is it a "suicide" knob or a "necking" knob?

nelsb01 · 04-23-2026, 02:16 PM

Yes you are correct. The springs just help align the hood hinges and do not control or assist with opening and lifting the hood. In other words, the hood will be the same weight and not any easier to open and lift.

To show you how things change --- 2019 Ford Ranger had hood hinges with hood supports. In 2025 they are deleted and you have to use the old-fashioned hood strut to prop the hood up.

tubman · 04-23-2026, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

Is it a "suicide" knob or a "necking" knob?

What's the difference?

sugarmaker · 04-26-2026, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

What's the difference?

Wait for it......wait for it!

farmertom · 04-26-2026, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

I have the springs coming from "Shoebox Central". After reading about them and looking at the pictures, I don't think that they will help at all in raising the hood. As a matter of fact , if you look closely, they will probably make it even harder to open. I'll let you know when I get them installed.

I have already installed a knob on the steering wheel to help with turning.

AHH,yes i have one of those spinner knobs mounted at about 2oclock on my lawn tractor and probly put one on the '51.

Tom.

Tony, NY · 04-26-2026, 10:32 AM

Those knobs were/are illegal for road vehicles in New York. I don't think a cop would even care these days.

Tom F OHIO · 04-26-2026, 11:56 AM

Didn't people get their wrist broken with these knobs somehow.

04-19-2026, 01:59 PM	#1
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,132	'51 Ford hood springs The hood on my '51 has always been hard to lift. In the last year, when the arthritis in my shoulders has gotten worse, I have been unable to open it and set the strut. A friend and I were discussing this problem this morning at breakfast, and decided maybe new hood springs might help. After breakfast, we stopped at my shop, so he could open the hood for me and we could check the springs. A quick look, and I could see there were no springs. I see them listed on Shoebox Central, so someone must have removed them at some time for reasons unknown to me. Can someone out there post a picture so I can confirm that there really are hood springs and how they are attached? I think '50 and '51 are the same, but I believe '49's are different. Not being able to raise the hood by myself makes me hesitant to drive the car to any extant. Last edited by tubman; 04-19-2026 at 07:20 PM.

04-20-2026, 01:44 PM	#3
Tony, NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Capital of Corruption , NY Posts: 877	Re: '51 Ford hood springs Scroll thru the images of this "51. There are some under hood shots with springs showing. May help. https://classics.autotrader.com/clas...stom/102547059

04-20-2026, 02:11 PM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,132	Re: '51 Ford hood springs Thanks a lot guys. I can see it now. It goes between the hole on the middle of the long front "arm" to the hole on the body brace in the lower right of "Shoebox"s photo. From the description on "Shoebox Central", their purpose is to hold down the rear of the hood, and say nothing about assisting raising it. As I said, it's a heavy bitch. When I was looking for springs, I found plenty of springs for the same era trucks. The trucks have 4 heavy assist springs (two on each side). I have to wonder why truck drivers have help with a heavy hood and car owners don't.

04-23-2026, 02:16 PM	#8
nelsb01 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Up North Posts: 870	Re: '51 Ford hood springs Yes you are correct. The springs just help align the hood hinges and do not control or assist with opening and lifting the hood. In other words, the hood will be the same weight and not any easier to open and lift. To show you how things change --- 2019 Ford Ranger had hood hinges with hood supports. In 2025 they are deleted and you have to use the old-fashioned hood strut to prop the hood up.

04-26-2026, 10:32 AM	#12
Tony, NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Capital of Corruption , NY Posts: 877	Re: '51 Ford hood springs Those knobs were/are illegal for road vehicles in New York. I don't think a cop would even care these days.

04-26-2026, 11:56 AM	#13
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 690	Re: '51 Ford hood springs Didn't people get their wrist broken with these knobs somehow.