# Picking your brains - I has a question/project **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [January 19, 2011, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317 "2011-01-19T10:18:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/1 "2011-01-19T10:18:12Z")
Not sure if this is the right place to put this, if its not please move it (it does deal with automotive) Im working on a little project and I need something. OK so think of a screen door and how it gets pulled closed, the piston / cylinder thing right. Does anyone know of something like that but working in the reverse order and about 6" to 7" long? A screen door “piston” pulls the door shut but I need something to “push open” Im at a loss here. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/2 "2011-01-19T10:19:25Z")
so you need a strut a lot of trunks,hatches,hoods on cars use these. I think the ones on a VW jetta are pretty small. [http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/replacement\_sm/vw~trunk\_strut~replacement.html](http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/replacement_sm/vw~trunk_strut~replacement.html) ---
**Author:** ![Geoff](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/geoff/32/6104_2.png) [@Geoff](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Geoff)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/3 "2011-01-19T10:19:27Z")
A linear actuator? Edit: Or what Twom just posted ^ ---
**Author:** ![Z28pr0jekt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/z28pr0jekt/32/5393_2.png) [@Z28pr0jekt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Z28pr0jekt)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/4 "2011-01-19T10:22:17Z")
such as hood struts that lift and hold hoods/trunks up after you pop them? Edit: beat me to it lol ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/5 "2011-01-19T10:56:59Z")
Depending on the application you could use hood struts as mentioned, but they will depend how the force is being applied to them, and how much force in order to operate correctly. If you have the ability to use an electric source, you could use a servo or linear actuator, etc… Give some more detail as to what you’re trying to do. ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/6 "2011-01-19T11:19:07Z")
My friend bought a van (work vans without windows etc) and (long stroy short) wants me to build a shelf that lowers from the ceiling(like a hidden compartment). Think of the van having a “drop down ceiling” In the ceiling is this compartment that needs to be lowered. Its about 12" by 16". Could be manual or electric. The “strut” would be attached to the plywood shelf (wrapped in fabric etc) and part of the van within the ceiling. It would be flush when closed but when operated it would have to drop down. The “strut” would be in the four corners or atleast 2 sides. Electric might be the best way to go since it could all be done by a switch. If not electric it would need something like a lock to keep it shut ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 11:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/7 "2011-01-19T11:47:23Z")
Is pedo-bear going to drop from the ceiling? ---
**Author:** ![Shifty](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shifty/32/4959_2.png) [@Shifty](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shifty)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/8 "2011-01-19T12:05:03Z")
try looking up: “single action cylinder” ![http://www.horrorseek.com/home/halloween/wolfstone/Pneumatics/pnucyl_SingleActingSpring.gif](http://www.horrorseek.com/home/halloween/wolfstone/Pneumatics/pnucyl_SingleActingSpring.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/9 "2011-01-19T12:13:58Z")
That would require having an air compressor in the van. Something tells me this is beyond the scope of the project. Linear Actuators with limit switches is probably the easiest way to go. How much weight do you plan on having this thing support? I think a well designed manual drop down might be good choice for this as well. Something that you can lock up and know that it would let go while driving. ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/10 "2011-01-19T12:38:12Z")
sounds like some “pimp my ride” kind of shit. ---
**Author:** ![NYstanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@NYstanger](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/NYstanger)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/11 "2011-01-19T12:43:07Z")
Sounds like a drug hauling van. lol ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/12 "2011-01-19T12:47:43Z")
good thing we don’t have anybody who works at the border on this forum… ---
**Author:** ![llink78](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/llink78/32/8037_2.png) [@llink78](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/llink78)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/13 "2011-01-19T12:53:45Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > good thing we don’t have anybody who works at the border on this forum… o wait… ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 12:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/14 "2011-01-19T12:53:45Z")
lol no no nothing like that^^^haha Compressed air wouldnt work. Those electric actuators are expensive and actually would work do to the motor increasing the size. The room we have is about 7 to 7.5" and it needs to drop about 5-6". Weight is probably about 10 to 15lbs Maybe manual is my best bet, which is fine. (more pimp my ride, less drugs) ---
**Author:** ![NYstanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@NYstanger](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/NYstanger)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 1:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/15 "2011-01-19T13:37:54Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > good thing we don’t have anybody who works at the border on this forum… > [@llink78](#): > > o wait… Why so serious? As for the build, there is not enough information given to guide you along. You say you want it flush with the ceiling and wrapped with fabric. But will this shelf have walls? Depth of it? Just the plywood itself? Need more specifics? Then by flush you mean basically a smooth transition? Is the top of the van roof upholstered or bare metal? To make it flush you’d basically have to build down the ceiling or cut a hole in the roof to go up into. Honestly unless you really simply the project into a budget build as a basic drop down shelf, it sounds like your in over your head with a whole “concealed” compartment. If you even have to begin asking how to go about it, chances are its above your skill level and will take way to long and probably turn out disastrous. ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 1:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/16 "2011-01-19T13:56:32Z")
quick pic ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/rugsr/QUICKPIC.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/rugsr/QUICKPIC.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![NYstanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@NYstanger](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/NYstanger)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/17 "2011-01-19T14:09:12Z")
So you are probably looking like welding up a giant skeleton frame to cover the whole ceiling to make the drop effect feasible. But a 7.5 inch drop is not exactly concealable either when you swing the rear doors open or where it would end in the drivers area. ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/18 "2011-01-19T15:25:05Z")
Near the drivers area is a wall At theback door it would taper up ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 1:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/19 "2011-01-20T13:52:22Z")
Dont know why I didnt google it earlier but this is what we are looking to do. Too bad they cost $1000 [http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-US&biw=1245&bih=563&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=PROJECTOR+LIFT&aq=f&aqi=&aql=f&oq=](http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-US&biw=1245&bih=563&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=PROJECTOR+LIFT&aq=f&aqi=&aql=f&oq=) I bet I could build this on the cheap side with a few hours a depot Whatcha think this is cool [http://www.weibellift.com/](http://www.weibellift.com/) ---
**Author:** ![suzukiriderman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/suzukiriderman/32/7421_2.png) [@suzukiriderman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/suzukiriderman)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317/20 "2011-01-20T21:51:26Z")
These are used on a lot of boats to lift the rear cover over the engine. [http://www.boatownersworld.com/uflex/ap500\_hatch\_lifters.htm](http://www.boatownersworld.com/uflex/ap500_hatch_lifters.htm) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/picking-your-brains-i-has-a-question-project/208317.md?page=2)