Hood/tailgate strut replacement FJ62

[John E]

I read up on the various efforts and products that folks have used to replace their sagging tailgate struts and hood springs and decided to replace mine as well.

I used 2 set of struts that I got from my good friends at Mcmaster-Carr.

1 pair of number 4138T55's for the hood and another pair of 4138T56's for the tailgate.

Both sets came with 8mm metric threaded ballpoints installed. I ran the 55's thru a die to clean up the threads and they fit an 8mm locknut perfectly. The slightly longer 56's threaded right into the existing threads on my 1988 FJ62 (11/87 build date).

I made some spacers out of a pair of S.S. washers for the hood mount and used the pre-existing holes on both fenders. Little tricky getting the washer and nut on but I ended up using a flare fitting wrench and a drop of Superglue to hold the nut and washer together while I worked them into place. To be fair I managed to drop 2 washers and 1 nut deep into the fenders before I thought about using the glue and the flare wrench.

The hood springs came off with a little grinding and drilling, I had to drill out the upper hood mounts just a bit to fit the balljoint threads.

The hood pretty much opens itself now and is just a touch higher, closes as it always has. The tailgate is now a couple of inches higher and it opens much easier. I used an adjustable stand to prop it open during installation. I tried using the shorter struts on the gate but they didn't raise it high enough for me so I ordered the longer set. Couple drops of blue Loctite finished off the gate struts.

Very reasonably priced at 15 bucks and change per strut plus shipping and tax. I live fairly close to one of M-C's warehouses so I normally get next day delivery. One caveat, the balljoints need a 13mm wrench. The stock struts use a 12mm.

Thanks to those who did the initial legwork sourcing the parts and figuring out the installation.

 

[TallCanDan]

Sweet. Got any pics of the rig?

 

[blainehale]

What "force" did you select for the tail gate struts on mcmaster?

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, I had been using Strong Arm 4526 for the rear hatch but they no longer have the right ball studs and they won't answer my emails to talk about their fiitment problems. Mike

 

[Godwin]

What "force" did you select for the tail gate struts on mcmaster?

I think at least 60 and maybe 90. I just replaced the upper tailgate struts on my 80 with McMaster-Carr units and the 90 lb struts were the ones recommended and work just fine.

I need to replace the gate struts on my 60 and I think I'll go with the 90 lb ones. I doubt a 60 series upper gate weighs much less than the one on an 80.

 

[gregnash]

Think if you look in the Upper tailgate strut replacement thread everyone recommends the 90lb struts if you go the McMaster-Carr route and 120lb struts for the hood.

 

[blainehale]

Thank you gentlemen. I shall order them and have a set by Saturday!

 

[Godwin]

Installation tip:

A ratchet strap looped around the top and bottom of the new strut, then hooked back on itself, can be used to compress the strut enough to simplify installation.

 

[FJ60Cam]

I just installed a set of the 90lb 4138T56's on the rear hatch. I got lucky - the aftermarket struts were a cinch to pop off the old ball stud. The new ball studs are easy to pop off as well and install on the old stud.

The 90 lbs is just about perfect (maybe a hair too powerful?), but I wish they were just a little shorter. It opens far enough where the rubber glass gasket hits the rain gutter. The parts listed above for the hood are definitely too short, though. I bought those, too, but haven't gotten to the hood yet.

Great find!

 

[Michael Hanson]

Update on the Stongarms, installed the 4526 units today.from Mr. Lou's everything fit fine and works great. I also like the made in U.S.A. I ordered 6 more sets. Mike

 

[FJ60Cam]

Good to know. The McMaster Carr's are also made in the USA (pic of hood strut).

 

[cruzerDave]

Well, THAT was a nightmare. I don't know if it was my just model (1988 FJ62) or maybe they were replacement struts, but there was NO WAY those studs were coming out of the old struts. And for those not paying attention to all the posts in this thread (like I didn't) the new struts (McMaster 4138T56) may advertise a 10mm ball, but that it on a std 5/16-18 thread, NOT the metric 8x1.25 you need, so you HAVE to pull the old studs or buy new ones. Having started the project I did not want to wait for new studs (found some here for anyone who decides to make their life easier: http://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/hardware-ball-studs/ball-studs-8mm-standard-types/) so I ended up unbolting the old struts, clamping them in a vice, and grinding 1/3 of the socket down until I could get needlenose pliers on the retaining ring that was in there, at which point the ball would pop out. Repeat for 3 more times in 30 degree weather. Grrr. Installation for me was easiest to pop in the bottom first, then hang on the top to pull it down & pop on the top stud. Those 90lb'ers really do the trick now though!