Since everyone has been asking how to do this, I decided to do a writeup with pics on what parts you need, and how to do this. It is very easy, and should only take you 20-30 mins at the max, once you have all the needed parts. Click on a pic to make it bigger.

I'll start with the bonnet.

You will need these parts:

2 x VL wagon tailgate struts
2 x VL wagon tailgate ball joints
2 x VR / VS front guard joints

These parts should cost you $30-$40 from a wrecker. When asking for the VR / VS front guard joints, try to get them in the same colour as your guards are to match.

Pop your bonnet, and remove the coolant overflow bottle. Then remove the 3rd bolt from the front of both of your guards, and replace them with the VR / VS front guard joints, with the ball joints facing your motor.

http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bonnetstrut3_thumb.jpg (http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bonnetstrut3.jpg)

Now take the 2nd bolt out of both of the bonnet hinges, and replace them with the VL wagon tailgate ball joints. These should be the same thread as the existing bolts, and should screw straight in.

http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bonnetstrut2_thumb.jpg (http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bonnetstrut2.jpg)

Once you have done that, simply push the strut on both ends, put the overflow bottle back, and if you want take the old bonnet stay out and thats it!!! This is how it will look!

http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bonnetstrut1_thumb.jpg (http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bonnetstrut1.jpg)

http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bonnetstrut4_thumb.jpg (http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bonnetstrut4.jpg)

Now for the boot.

You will need these parts

2 x strut ball joints with nuts on the back
1 x small strut

All i did was go to Supercheap and buy a small strut for $20, and matching balljoints with nuts on the back. Then I drilled a hole in the middle of the right side boot hinge, and put one of the ball joints there.

http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bootstrut1_thumb.jpg (http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bootstrut1.jpg)

Then I drilled a hole in the lip on the edge of the right suspension mount and put the other ball joint in there.

http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bootstrut3_thumb.jpg (http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bootstrut3.jpg)

Then it's simply a matter of putting the strut on both ball joints like this!

http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bootstrut2_thumb.jpg (http://www.walkinshaw.net/articles/struts/bootstrut2.jpg)

This should hold your boot up with a spoiler now!

If you have any questions, PM me, or e-mail me craig@walkinshaw.net

Good Luck!

really good write up mate. well done!

the other option for the bonnet struts is to use the vl ball joints x2, and just use a nut on each to screw them into the gaurds!

really good write up mate. well done!

the other option for the bonnet struts is to use the vl ball joints x2, and just use a nut on each to screw them into the gaurds!

nah then u rip holes in ur guards. just a word of warning ive seen it done!

nah then u rip holes in ur guards. just a word of warning ive seen it done!

If u use proper washers, i can't see how unless murphy's law is against u being able to rip that through your guard!

I think that the VR / VS bonnet ball joints look better anyway....

My 2c :)

Mate is wrecking a VN wagon so I suppose I can't use any of the struts or ball joints from that?

Dunno... I haven't tried those ones... so not sure mate! Sorry!

thanks for the info mate now l can do mine

I did the mod about 3 years ago for the bonnet and its great.

Just watch the gaps and alignment of the bonnet as the struts tend to warp it at times. Definately a 2 man job as you need someone to hold the bonnet up while your working on it.

Gotta find another strut for the boot.... the ****ing thing has fallen on my head or back that meany times it aint funny. Always happens when your adjusting an amp or something then *crack* you get the boot latch hitting your spine smack in the middle on the bone.

why didnt you put the boot strut under the shelf like they do on the vr/vs coms? would have been much nicer and no be able to see the strut as much. ill see if i put my spoiler on and see if i do it

i am gonna attempt this vith VR/VS ball mounts and VN/VP struts on the bonnet. I'll let you guys know how I go!

i am gonna attempt this vith VR/VS ball mounts and VN/VP struts on the bonnet. I'll let you guys know how I go!

The VS Struts are slightly shorter, and you will find that you need to drill a hole in the guard between guard bolt 3 and 4. It works ok if you put it place of guard bolt 3, but the bonnet doesn't open fully. :)

ey just wonderin where ud get the VR/VS front guard joints from?

ey just wonderin where ud get the VR/VS front guard joints from?

I just got mine from the local holden wreckers :)

yeah thanks. but i was wonderin where abouts on the car is it...sorry im a bit new at this
cheers

On the front guards, under the bonnet where the struts connect to...

so simple... :( . thanks bro

kool! always wanted to do this, nice write up mate

No probs :)

just did mine looks trick and worx well to

hey mate if i wanted to get the smaller strut at the wreckers would say 1 off a
vs fit a vk commodore cause i think vs sedans av'em so i might get it with the joints that i need as well! even cheaper this way went to supercheap they wanted like $30 for a small 1 c how much wreckers want monday boot keeps hitting me in the head damn thing!

VK1981 - Have you got a 1981 model VK or was 1981 the year you were born?

81 year i was born lol anybody now about the boot strut lol?
anyway wat u talkin about ur from TAS!

hey mate attempted this today, but i encountered a problem. i went to the wrecker and got some ball joints for a vl wagon (already had the wagon struts lying around), and the thread on them is too short to catch on to the bonnet, like it catches on about 2mm or so, and then starts eating into the thread and doesnt catch on. anyone else have this problem?

goin to atempt boot strut from wreckers goin out & about 2morrow might pic 1 up from the wreckers & try the boot install out first as it is cheaper & needs doing

might try it mounted in the back seat/ parcel tray cause it would look better hidden away then bolted to the floor putting another hole in her! let u know how i go

hey mate attempted this today, but i encountered a problem. i went to the wrecker and got some ball joints for a vl wagon (already had the wagon struts lying around), and the thread on them is too short to catch on to the bonnet, like it catches on about 2mm or so, and then starts eating into the thread and doesnt catch on. anyone else have this problem?

Im surprised noone else has mentioned a problem like this. I put struts on my previous vl and i didnt notice until my panel shop guy said that the ball joint on the bonnet hinge had come loose, mainly cause there was little thread that actually screwed in. So he took the original bolt from the bonnet hinge and welded the ball joint onto the head of that......simple :)

I didnt have that prob at all....

it sticks up higher on the boot where i fitted the strut pics comin soon got it in the behand the backseat so it can't be seen

hey mate did my boot install yesterday but i bolted it on the other side of the hinge & in the back of the seat so u can't see it but it dnt keep it all the way up only about an inch or so off, see how it goes if it stuffs up ill redo it later should be ok! next time could u take closer pics of the ball joints with out the small strut fitted as it says will post pics of my install!:o hav'n trouble with url upload thingy how do i find that out?

I've fitted this to a few cars... never had any probs... very very simple to do.

It may be that the strut you got is too big, and isn't compressing fully, pushing the hinge and boot lid up?

to do it in the parcel shelf frill the hole at the top middle of the hinge near the back beam about quarter the way can always drill it back later as i hav'nt worried as i reckon they warp the boot due to the pressure in the strut & hits up higher or needs to be re-aligned like my front windows! the other hole i drilled about 3 but ended up in line with the strut in the backseat metal frame theres a weld seal drilled just above the top metal parcel tray! stil holds it up might try'n drill te hole out more see if it opens the extra inch or two then it will be fine might sit the boot more level dnt reckon it will thou anybody else noticed it sitting up higher?

hey mate attempted this today, but i encountered a problem. i went to the wrecker and got some ball joints for a vl wagon (already had the wagon struts lying around), and the thread on them is too short to catch on to the bonnet, like it catches on about 2mm or so, and then starts eating into the thread and doesnt catch on. anyone else have this problem?


Apparetly theres 2 types of ball joints - one has longer thread than the other and you need the long ones - not the short ones.

i tried falcon bonnet struts, but they are too short so i gonna find vl wagon ones.....
i got the vs guard ones, i gotta get the ones out of the tailgate yeh? the ones from the chassis or the tailgate? or ill just get both,

is there a shorter strut for the bonnet so the end of strut only goes like halfway down engine bay?