I like the looks of the extra headroom. I think I'll do this even if the spoiler hits. I don't remember how high the hatch lifted with the OE struts, but I've since put some on from napa, and I'm not impressed. They work the same warm or cold, but I've got to push the hatch up the last 4 or 5 inches, and my head still brushes at maximum extension. I think they were about $50 each too, so $14 and change from Mcmaster's sounds even better.
My fix for the ever-elusive hatch struts (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter gabepari
- Start date
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Can anyone tell me what size the screws are that fasten the brackets to the body/hatch? I misplaced one and went to buy a new one thinking they're 1/4-28x5/8. Alas, they are not. Me frustrated.
Toyota=metric. If it looks about 1/4 inch its probably M6x1 and 5/8 long would be about 15mm.
Question for you guys-I bought the exact struts from McMasterCarr that the OP gave the part # on, I got the first strut put on last night and it wouldn't hold the hatch up by itself and really didn't seem to be giving much assist at all to hold the hatch up, so I went ahead and got the 2nd strut installed on the left side, with both of them on it held the hatch all the way up and would assist up the hatch after the hatch was popped. After realizing that the hatch worked fine with both struts on, I went ahead and unbolted the first strut that I had installed to see if the 2nd hatch would hold up the hatch by itself and maybe the first strut was just a bad strut but NOPE it wouldn't hold up the hatch at all by itself either.
My question is that I saw where several people on this post said that one strut was actually enough for the hatch and held it up by itself but when I only had one strut on either side it wouldn't hold the hatch up at all by itself....did I possibly just get bad struts?, do you really need both struts and people were just thinking it should stay up with only one?, OR is it possible that it was pretty darn cold when I installed these and the cold temp didn't give the struts the full power?
Don't get me wrong the hatch is working great with both struts on and it was less than $30 to fix this and I really appreciate all of the help from the OP and others, I'm just curious if one strut should really hold up the back hatch.
Thanks
My question is that I saw where several people on this post said that one strut was actually enough for the hatch and held it up by itself but when I only had one strut on either side it wouldn't hold the hatch up at all by itself....did I possibly just get bad struts?, do you really need both struts and people were just thinking it should stay up with only one?, OR is it possible that it was pretty darn cold when I installed these and the cold temp didn't give the struts the full power?
Don't get me wrong the hatch is working great with both struts on and it was less than $30 to fix this and I really appreciate all of the help from the OP and others, I'm just curious if one strut should really hold up the back hatch.
Thanks
Akella
SILVER Star
How much are you guys usually pay for shipping for the struts?
My invoice from 06/15/2010 shows I paid $5.25 for shipping to Colorado from McMaster Carr. Total order price was $37.82, shipping included. That was for two struts, and two thin stainless nuts.
In my opinion, if the rear hatch only needed one strut, Toyota would have built it that way. Every hatch in the world has two struts on it if it's assisted.
Akella
SILVER Star
Thanks for info. They are not giving shipping price so I was debating, but if it is only about $5 i will place order now.
That said, I only replaced one of my struts (bought two) since that did the trick, and my rear deflector hit the roof otherwise. Over a year running one crappy-half-dead-OEM strut, and one McMaster replacement, and all is well even in sub zero temps last Winter.
Steve
hi
this works great,no grinding just use 4 flat washers on inside mount for bottom mount!!!!!!!!!!!!
this works great,no grinding just use 4 flat washers on inside mount for bottom mount!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would this conversion work on the hood?
The title says it all....
Would these struts work on the hood?
Anybody willing to try these on the hood. On the web page it looks like the p/n right on top of the one in the link would be a fit? Would 90 pounds be enough to cover the hood?
The title says it all....
Would these struts work on the hood?
Anybody willing to try these on the hood. On the web page it looks like the p/n right on top of the one in the link would be a fit? Would 90 pounds be enough to cover the hood?
Akella
SILVER Star
What a difference!!!
Just did mine few hours ago. Took me about 1 hour. What a difference
The best mod for under for $40.
Just did mine few hours ago. Took me about 1 hour. What a difference
The best mod for under for $40.
It's truly nice not to cut your head open on the gate corner.
This has to be one of the best mods I've done.
This has to be one of the best mods I've done.
Nice!
Just ordered mine which is about $120 cheaper than getting ones from Mr. T.
I'll spend for OEM, but not for these!
Just ordered mine which is about $120 cheaper than getting ones from Mr. T.
I'll spend for OEM, but not for these!
I bought a pair of mini vice grips for $1 to clamp on the inner shaft when raised. I keep them in the glove box. Work equally well for the engine compartment.
I must admit I like your fix WAAAY better -exept for the work/effort part.
I must admit I like your fix WAAAY better -exept for the work/effort part.
Just installed the McMaster struts. Have to give a big thumbs up on this one. Great fit and I only had to grind a little bit of the stud and nut away on the bottom. Works perfect. Thanks again for a very very inexpensive option. Took me about 20 min tops to get this done. My fat ass had no problem compressing the struts enough to get them to mount on the studs.
