OK, just for the record, yes I have a knack for doing everything the hard way. This avoidance of the infamous prop-rod was the cake taker. I spent the better part of two weeks and many failed attempts at using anything but a prop-rod to hold up the trunk lid. Few even were worthy of calling a trunk-a-pult. So when gazing upon these pics understand that this was not easy or fun (most of the time).
OH Ya I'm still waiting for the club to get together before I take her apart.
Patrick