I stand on the shoulders of giants. this is brilliant. I know what I'm doing next weekend. no more cut up hockey stick holding up the door anymore. thank you for the legwork fellows.
My fix for the ever-elusive hatch struts (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter gabepari
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
890man
SILVER Star
I did the McMaster thing and didn't like it. The hatch lifted too high and two struts were way too much force. I ended up leaving one worn out stock one on to limit height and one new longer for added lift.
When I had my hood drop on my head too many times, I figured I'd replace those. This time I sourced them from ebay. I did both hood and tail at the same time. I couldn't be happier. Should have gone the ebay route from the beginning.
When I had my hood drop on my head too many times, I figured I'd replace those. This time I sourced them from ebay. I did both hood and tail at the same time. I couldn't be happier. Should have gone the ebay route from the beginning.
I did the some ebay struts the last time I fixed this - the units failed in a few years. I then went the McMaster route - much better but the hatch does hit my garage door opening. I don't mind the strong opening force. I've now padded that part of the garage opening with a bit of rubber.
I may see if I can find a clean way to limit the vertical travel - but that's a project for a different day.
I may see if I can find a clean way to limit the vertical travel - but that's a project for a different day.
890man
SILVER Star
My hatch was hitting the body. Not good.
Ghostrider I
I wear many "heads" as I have many vehicles.
I'll make it even more simple, "It's as easy from A to Z." Better known as AMAZON. Got mine for $19.99 AND free two day ship with Prime.
Link?
I should report, again, that the McMaster struts still get my vote.
Years later, mine are still working great.
Also, I am quite tall (6'3"+ with shoes on) and i no longer hit my head on the lift gate.
the studs are a bit long and have torn the gasket a bit. I should have trimmed them with dremel & cutoff wheel.
Years later, mine are still working great.
Also, I am quite tall (6'3"+ with shoes on) and i no longer hit my head on the lift gate.
the studs are a bit long and have torn the gasket a bit. I should have trimmed them with dremel & cutoff wheel.
890man
SILVER Star
Haha, I'm 6-4. A 6 in suspension lift keeps me from hitting the hatch. Actually, if the gate lifts much higher, won't be able to reach it.
Last edited:
The long ones are for the rear hatch...
You have to cut the old struts (around the ball ends) to reuse them. Let me know if you need more info on that as I just had to deal with it. I also had to bend the factory brackets “keeper” finger/hooks to make them fit. Otherwise the hood wouldn’t close all the way with out buckling.
I, too, did the McMaster struts about three years ago after an Amazon-procured set failed after only a couple years of use (worked OK in summer, became weak in the winter.)
The McMasters are still beaucoup strong, even in subzero temps, but as most others who've gone this route have pointed out, they do lift the hatch a bit too high (and hit my garage door opening, if allowed.) I hacked a solution for this by putting on a twisted parachute cord limiting strap along the length of one of the struts (I chose the left side, but either would do.) I thought the paracord would only be a temporary, "proof-of-concept" idea and wouldn't last and I'd need to find another material that was stronger to replace it. It's holding strong three years down the road. No fraying so far.
The McMasters are still beaucoup strong, even in subzero temps, but as most others who've gone this route have pointed out, they do lift the hatch a bit too high (and hit my garage door opening, if allowed.) I hacked a solution for this by putting on a twisted parachute cord limiting strap along the length of one of the struts (I chose the left side, but either would do.) I thought the paracord would only be a temporary, "proof-of-concept" idea and wouldn't last and I'd need to find another material that was stronger to replace it. It's holding strong three years down the road. No fraying so far.
Partsouq sells the real Toyota ones for an awful lot less than I've seen mentioned on here. No affiliation other than that they're how I could afford to put the real thing on my truck, and that I hate seeing people put chinese parts that fail in 2 years on their truck =(
ewillis
SILVER Star
Got a link? My china specials still work, but the cheap metal is already rusting.
Toyota part #'s are 68950-60030 (RH) and 68960-60020 (LH), partsouq shows them at $67-69 each plus shipping, but both out of stock.
I've gone with the cheap Amazon specials, I just replace them as needed every few years. They're cheaper than changing my engine oil and only take a few minutes and a ratchet to swap in. The brackets also get a bit of surface rust before I swap them out. May hit the next set with a few coats of black spray paint or something as the finish that's on there is garbage.
18.22'' Strong Arm 6781L-R Lift Support | 6781L-R-W
Strong Arm 6781L-R fits a wide range of vehicles, and includes a lifetime warranty! Free Shipping on orders $29.00 and over. StrongArm struts are quality you can trust!
www.liftsupportsdepot.com
I got these Strong Arm Liftgate struts in today and installed them on my '91 HDJ81. Installation was easy and it was refreshing to have the gate lift on it's own and stay open, even with the Gobi ladder mounted to the hatch. Paid $37.60 for the pair. The company was communicative as well, and also sent a video and directions for installation in emails prior to the shipment arriving. So far I'm happy with them; time will tell though.
just did the Mcmasters as well. great quality made in the USA .... the reviews on the amazon ones were not good.. 2 year lifespan..
AverageTanner
SILVER Star
Glad someone revised this thread... at 6'2" I bang my head on my tailgate any time I don't manually push it all the way up.
