SOR Re-Chromed Hatch Struts

[Engineer8000]

I am weighing getting my hatch struts re-chromed vs getting the re-chromed set from SOR. Neither option is low cost. Just wanted to know what experience if any people have had with the SOR struts. Thank you.

 

[firemanj92]

I bought the pricey, jeweled, little candies from SOR (I think they were a a lot less $$$ 5 years ago). No complaints. Between the re-chromed struts and the @Birdhead restored wheel, they were the final touches that just added that last lol.
SOR told me they have a guy that does them for them so they are the middle man fwiw.

 

[vfrer]

Curious... did you get a quote for re-chroming? $800 for a refurb set!! I'm always amazed at the ebay prices people ask for these in rough shape.

 

[firemanj92]

No quote for re-chroming for me, I was living in a state that the EPA ruled "everything is bad-(prop 65)" so chrome & platers have all but disappeared or charged by the bulk load.

 

[Gotta40]

No quote for re-chroming for me, I was living in a state that the EPA ruled "everything is bad-(prop 65)" so chrome & platers have all but disappeared or charged by the bulk load.

theres a plater guy up near lebanon tn that does decent work. had him do a few pieces for my patrol.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I would consider electro plating it myself. There are kits for doing it. $83 covers like 10 square feet, make a plastic trough out off split PVC pipe. Nickel is less toxic than chrome. I like copper but it patina's quickly. People gut them and put in gas struts.

Caswell Science Plating Kit - Nickel Plating

caswellplating.com

 

[Spike Strip]

Just throwing this out there, but City Racer sells some custom replacement gas struts that work very well, but certainly don't look anything like the OE Chrome ones.

I guess it depends on how much of a purist you want to be.

Rear Hatch / Lift Gate Gas Struts for Land Cruiser FJ40 – City Racer LLC Rear Hatch / Lift Gate Gas Struts for Land Cruiser FJ40 - https://share.google/btymllFv4XwsoBTlB

 

[dazerb]

x2 on CityRacer struts. They definitely look like they could fit right inside the original chrome sliders. Have not dropped that hatch on my head in years!! Are the originals going for that much?!! That could cover my 4+ tire carrier!!

 

[vfrer]

I bought these. they fit inside the original ones and then you don't need the spring and don't need to tighten them to keep the hatch up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXDVN4N8?tag=ihco-20

$800 for an original set seems very high but they are pretty. I got a shiny but slightly pitted set for under $100 recently. Was looking for a little while.

 

[Jdc1]

Have a set installed on our ‘72 build. Absolutely beautiful. Most anything coming from SOR is going to be quality(and spendy).

 

[firemanj92]

theres a plater guy up near lebanon tn that does decent work. had him do a few pieces for my patrol.

Good to know, I would like to get the rear lift-interior handle re-chromed.

 

[Engineer8000]

I am sending my stuff to a restorer/plater in TN. Strut stuff, ash tray, hood spear, wing window parts, inside door pulls and back hatch inside handle.

 

[Jwood]

I bought these. they fit inside the original ones and then you don't need the spring and don't need to tighten them to keep the hatch up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXDVN4N8?tag=ihco-20

$800 for an original set seems very high but they are pretty. I got a shiny but slightly pitted set for under $100 recently. Was looking for a little while.

This links to multiple sizes, do you remember which model you purchased?

 

[65swb45]

IIRC @kevos37 had a source for replating. @majdomo told me he got the gas inserts for his and is very happy with them.

 

[vfrer]

The link goes directly to the ones I purchased. There are some other threads out there describing this and also this video.

 

[Paul_A]

The strut inserts are one of the greatest upgrades I've done and no one can see it's not factory. Major improvement!