[nadodave]

Thanks for the ratchet strap recommendation! I was about to start cutting up paint sticks - which also seemed like an elegant idea and not as risky as welding a bracket (I’m a lame welder). It took me all of 5 min to change both springs once I figured out where to anchor the strap. I had not looked forward to this exercise, but was tired of propping my hood with a broom stick!

Thanks again!