Trunk support

[350-G]

So I picked up a couple firebird rear spoilers from the junk yard. Built a spacer to raise it up to fit the cutlass. When I installed it the trunk became very heavy when lifting. Will the lifting rod setup be enough to lift and support the added weight? or should I add support shocks to help with the added weight?

 

[Ribbedroof]

You could try adjusting the rods (if they're not on the last slot already) to provide more torque to the hinges

 

[350-G]

Did not know there was an adjustment for the rods. Learning something every day on this project. Thanks

 

[Hozem396]

There are usually 2 or 3 notches (in some cars more) up under the trunk for the rod's adjustment. When I worked in a dealership, the cars with spoilers that needed to be installed also came with new rods that would hold up the trunk. Maybe the next time you grab up some spoilers you could grab some of the trunk rods too!

 

[Rktpwrd]

Maybe the next time you grab up some spoilers you could grab some of the trunk rods too!

The OP said he grabbed the spoilers off of some Firebirds. The Firebirds of that vintage used gas struts to support the back hatch so unfortunately your suggestion doesn't apply here.

However, his Cutlass is likely one of the same years as the Hurst Olds' which came factory with a similar style spoiler.

That being said, I doubt GM designed a different spring rod and notch setup just for the Hurst cars. So as the other members suggested, he should have an additional notch or two to increase the tension on his existing rods like the Hurst cars likely did.

I too modified a Firebird spoiler and added it to my Cutlass, but I never cared for the spring rod setup, so I removed the rods and installed gas struts instead. Much quieter than the creaky rods, and smooth as silk. If you go this way, you may have to experiment a bit with the Lb rating and length to get it just right.

 

[350-G]

Thanks Rktpwrd, the 90's firebirds were both hatch backs. I see that some of the earlier model g-bodies came with a shock that mounted at the back of the trunk swing arm. They are fairly cheap and would be out of the way. thinking I'll start there and see how they work and go from there.
That's if they fit the same on my 83 cutlass.