I used parts purchased from McMaster-Carr and my local Ace Hardware store. By trial and error, I found that 20lb gas springs worked best for me. The whole project cost me less than $45. If you want to build your own, here are the supplies and part numbers I used:

Parts list:

2 Gas springs - 9416K191 (threaded ends 8.27" stroke length, 20 lb Force, M6 male thread - $11.39 ea) 4 Steel 10 mm Ball Socket - 9416K71 (for M6 thread fixed-force gas spring - $1.25 ea) 4 Steel Ball Mounting Hardware - 9512K73 (10 mm ball stud W/5/16"-18 male thread - $1.00 ea) Four feet of 3/4" steel tube from hardware store Four foot length of aluminum channel from hardware store Six inches of steel flat stock One foot of aluminum flat stock Pop rivets and rivet tool Access to a small welder Some black spray paint

Here are some diagrams with dimensions of the components - diagram 1 - diagram 2

It really works! The right picture shows how the braces attach to the car. Aluminum pop rivets were used.
Red arrows points to where original bolts were removed. I ground the welds off with a Dremel tool and a cut off wheel.

Last update: 25 Jan. 2002