posted 02-17-2003 01:49 AM         

quote:

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Originally posted by steven:
I just bought a viper GTS and does anybody know how to open the hood on them I have look everywhere and can find it
Thanks

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Steven - finally a helpful answer for ya

No interior hood release! To open the hood, the external
lever is at the top of the upper driver's side opening
in the front fascia. Pull it and the hood should "pop"
up to the secondary catch. Slight downward pressure on
the hood while working the secondary release should allow
the front of the hood to raise up to it's limit. Then, go
to the back of the hood - by the windshield, and carefully
raise this up. You should see that big beautiful engine now.

To CLOSE the hood, reverse the above, carefully lowering
the hood into the guides under the door hinge area. The
front of the hood will be up at this point. When you are
SURE everything is lined up, gently but firmly press down
on the hood ~ approximately ~ over the hinge support area
of the hood and you should hear a nice healthy engagement
of the latches. Gently tug upwards on the front corners of
the hood just behind the headlights to make sure both side
latches have the hood secured. (Sounds complicated, but once
you do it once, it becomes obvious!)

Note - keep the latches and release mechanisms clean and
lubed! Too much pressure closing the hood or pressure in
the wrong places may stress the hood and cause cracking!
This is why I suggest seeing it done before trying it on
your own.

Very Important : you may have seen pictures of hoods raised
but sitting in the horizontal position - usually done for
cooling and heat dissipation when parked... well, nothing
wrong with this, but NEVER turn your wheels and
drive the car in this configuration! Even at super slow
speeds!!! NEVER !!! Don't do this or else the chunk
of the hood that gets bitten off of the lower corner will
serve as a great souvenir NOT to ever do it again! Going
straight isn't the problem - it's when you turn the wheel -
there isn't clearance and the tire will bind and bite the
hood on one side! (Score = Tire ONE - Hood Zero!) FYI !!!

Other questions could be answered at
http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/ubbthreads.php
and if you can, find your local VCA (Viper Club of America)
chapter. If you can see someone work the hood before you
try it, it becomes easier to understand the "procedure".

Good Luck and enjoy the ride!

quote:

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Originally posted by TriJim:
I would not even trust most dealers/salesmen since they would be lucky to sell one or two Vipers a year.

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I am reminded of the 2002 Viper GTS I sat in. The back of the seat was set so far back, you were almost laying down. Too uncomfortable and I couldn't drive it that way.

I asked the salesman where the level or control was and after fumbling for a minute or two, he informed me there wasn't one. This was a race car and that is the only position he said.

I searched and found it.

TRiJim is right, don't trust the saleman as I suspect half don't have a clue (at any manufacturer)

posted 02-17-2003 09:00 AM         

quote:

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Originally posted by YellowFever:
TRiJim is right, don't trust the saleman as I suspect half don't have a clue (at any manufacturer)

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I was looking at a Final Edition Viper GTS this past weekend. The salesperson was telling me about how they only made 50 of them and their dealership was lucky to get one of the red ones (!?!?!?!). He proceeded to tell me about how they didn't make too many of the Final Editions with the GTS body style (!?!?!). After we left, I told my girlfriend about how wrong the salesperson was, that all of the Final Editions are red with white stripes and they are all GTSs. She looked at me and told me not to buy that one.

------------------
Bill Gallagher
1999 Red
www.MagicTouchDesigns.com

• MTD Prowler Intake System 2.2
• MTD Bypass Kit
• MTD Suspension Frame Braces
• Other Modifications

Thinking I just didn't hear it right or he meant something else, I asked again. "You mean you don't have a hard top prowler model?"

"Nope, they are all gone, all that is left is the convertible ones."

Oh yes, and the convertible ones are only available in automatic (in case anyone is wondering).