Winter Storage Hood Prop Suggestions/Advice

[BigLo]

Winter weather has been hanging around and with not driving it much lately, I hooked up the trickle charger to keep the battery from draining. I didn't have anything better to use to prop the hood so I'm currently using a ~10" 2x4.

Anyone have a better suggestion? Knowing how heavy these hoods are, I don't want to damage or bend it or mess up the radiator shroud by not having it propped in the best spot.
I have it propped in the middle on the plate where the hood latch is attached as it looked like the strongest spot to. (see attached pic).

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[ORRadtech]

Why do you want to prop it up?

 

[BigLo]

Why do you want to prop it up?

The trickle charger leads that attach to the terminals get knocked off when the hood is closed, so that's why I have it propped.

 

[ORRadtech]

Fair enough.
I don't see anything wrong with the piece of lumber that you're using. Fords prop rod holds it off to the side so I doubt what you have will cause any issue at all. If you're really that concerned turn the wood sideways to spread the load a bit.
Really though, unless you're looking for something more aesthetic, it's a non issue as far as potential hood or close-out panel damage.

 

[Sparky1337]

See post #5 from Skye.

General recommendation is to skip the alligator clips and wire through the fuse block so the battery management system (BMS) is aware. This would provide a better connection and solve your problem of needing the hood open. The hood weight on the 2x4 will probably have some sort of indent in the plastic (if it’s anything like the 15-17’s) after some time. Especially if you leave it all winter.


https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/battery-tender-on-pdc.223016/

 

[Jccams]

Hard wired mine in, cord can exit near headlight and hood closed.

 

[T Fades]

just curious, why not have the 2x4 laying down to distribute the weight better?

 

[Samiamthemustangman]

If you lay the hood down without slamming it, it should have just enough room for the wires to not get pinched. This will also give you immediate access to open the hood without messing with the driver door

 

[BigLo]

just curious, why not have the 2x4 laying down to distribute the weight better?

OR mentioned doing that too, but probably going to take the route Sparky mentioned and move it to the fuse block so I can close the hood and forego the prop.

 

[warnerwh]

I just set the hood down gently at which point it doesn't latch. Doing that leaves plenty of room for the wires.

 

[2015 Silver GT]

Prop the hood up with a bunch of old towels.

 

[Joe Gonsalves]

There is plenty of room to drape the extension cord over the headlight and still close the hood. I shove the extension cord's socket down in the gap by the washer fluid bottle, and use a towel to cover the headlight so the cord won't scratch it up. I close the hood down to the first latch. Then I cover the car with the car cover. Of course the battery tender is hardwired and not clipped on.

 

[GTP]

After installing hood struts I decided that the best place to store the prop rod was in the OEM location.

(You'd be surprised how often I still use the prop rod.)

 

[ORRadtech]

After installing hood struts I decided that the best place to store the prop rod was in the OEM location.

(You'd be surprised how often I still use the prop rod.)

I'm unsure how that is germane to this conversation. But I do agree, I left my prop rod in place although I don't believe I've used it since I installed the struts.

 

[ORRadtech]

I believe that hardwiring the maintainer in would be the OPs best option. Where the hood rests becomes moot at that point.
Still, propped the way he showed it should cause zero issues.

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