My fix for the ever-elusive hatch struts (1 Viewer)

[pr0ject42]

Once you get past that moment of inertia (so to speak) when compressing these things, it doesn't take much pressure to keep them compressed.

If you think about the forces being exerted, what you would be worried about would be a sheer force against the bolts that attach it to the body, unless those start to loosen up, then you would have some prying action.

I think you would be over-thinking the issue. I know my tail gate doesn't fly open, but it does open itself quite nicely and closes with little effort.

If there is a difference, I feel it is so little that worrying about putting stress cracks in your body really should be the least of your concerns.

But, that is just my opinion. Combine that with $2.50 you might be able to buy a beer at your local watering hole.

 

[instigator]

okaly dokaly, 90 lbs it is then

 

[Tapage]

looks like they are strong enough for the engine hood .. ?

 

[Nay]

You can get direct bolt on struts out of Oz that run about $60 shipped and have the exact same dimensions as stock.

 

[bruff]

You can get direct bolt on struts out of Oz that run about $60 shipped and have the exact same dimensions as stock.

This is what I did and they are awesome. Just bolt-on!

 

[baggar11]

Nay or Bruff, do either of you have a link for the Oz ones?

 

[91Cruizer]

x3 the OZ ones. I got them off ebay. One of the best purchases I have made.

 

[TexasCrusher]

excellent idea!!!
ordering them now, no more hitting my head!!!
thanks!

 

[CPJONES1231]

www.liftsupportsdepot.com

 

[hewinutah]

I did this mod, the only diff was I had to grind off some of the bolt because they were longer then the one pictured. 5 Minutes with a dremel and they fit like a glove

Does anyone know what part number from www.mcmaster.com will work for the hood struts??

 

[folsom50]

I did mine yesterday, gotta thank the OP for doing the leg work and posting up this simple fix. I gotta say that I really like the extra height when the hatch is open too.

 

[BirfMark]

Ditto here - did this mod yesterday, and I'm glad I did.

I'm 5'10", and I could barely walk under it on a good day - cold weather, and I was definitely smacking my head.

I measured with the new struts, and with the lower tailgate closed, from the metal hoop catch, up to the pull handle on the upper gate, was 37" with these new struts. I didn't get a chance to measure with the OEM struts, but I can walk under the open hatch with several inches to spare now.

The hatch opens & closes very nicely - I was afraid it was going to either fly open or be difficult to close, but that's not the case. I think 90 pound struts are just right.

 

[smokejumper6]

A Lift Gate that LIFTS !

ALCON,

I just completed "Gabe's Lift Gate Mod" and it works great...a little extra spring, and a little extra height (no spoiler issues here).

TOYOTA struts new are about $126 each, BUT the McMaster-Carr struts (4138T579) from "Gabe's Lift Gate Mod" are about $16 each shipped. Soooooo, I figure I saved about $220.

THANKS GABE !! (here's a couple root beer fer ya!)

KLJ1

 

[SpeedAgent]

What kind of nuts are you guys using between the bottom braket and the body? I ca't find any nuts that will fit in this space. I've been to the hardware store twice today.

Cool quick story- so I ordered the struts from Mcmaster-Carr yesterday around 1:30. They were on my doorstep at 5:30. I didn't realize they were local. What great service.

Chris

 

[billmiranda]

So looking at: Lift Supports Systems | Hood | Window | Trunk | Hatch | Auto Parts By Lou

it appears that for the set of direct fit rear lift AND hood struts would run about $105.00.

Looks like a project for the coming weekend!

Bill

 

[pr0ject42]

I ordered some slim line nuts off of mcmaster at the time I got the struts. They came in a pack:

2 90257A045 TYPE 316 SS MACHINE SCREW HEX NUT, 5/16"-18 THREAD SIZE, 9/16" WIDTH, 7/32" HEIGHT

 

[IdahoDoug]

Just installed my struts from the gasstrutguys@bigpond.com in australia. Get them on the australian ebay site and they were $47 to my door. Took 3 minutes each to install - perfect fit with brackets on them that are correct. Great service. Took about 2.5 weeks even over the Christmas holidays. I just ordered their hood struts as well a couple days ago. Impressive.

DougM

 

[l1coeea9]

This is way cool. I need hood and trunk struts.............................................

 

[IdahoDoug]

Hood struts were $54 - about half price. Sure, they'll be a few weeks, but it's not like this is rush - just something I keep forgetting about until the hood almost closes on me....

DougM

 

[SpeedAgent]

Done! Works really well except that I can not open it in the garage as it goes too high-otherwise it is great and I would actually consider this an upgrade.

Chris