I was looking to keep the stock look, but improve the performance and usability of the stock rear hatch lift struts. After a bit of research and going to my local Auto Zone and measuring gas lift struts I came up with the following upgrade which only takes about 10 minutes and one or two $25.00 gas structs:
pick up a mighty lift gas strut (Auto Zone) part # D95982. Unscrew the mounting point on the gas tube end and cut off the screw stud. Cut the other end off just below the mounting hole, (approximately 1/2" from the strut end of the plastic mounting bracket. Now grind the remaining plastic to approximately 5/8" and taper it slightly on the strut side to make sure it will guide itself into the small tube in your stock tube when fully closed. Now take the spring and nylon spacer out and install the gas tube into the small tube of the stock strut and extend the stock strut and put the large cap back on. Your done! Mount the updated lift strut. One modified tube can be used with a stock spring loaded tube, but I did both which does makes it fully lift with not problems. With both modified it take a bit, not too much, of force when closing the hatch.
pick up a mighty lift gas strut (Auto Zone) part # D95982. Unscrew the mounting point on the gas tube end and cut off the screw stud. Cut the other end off just below the mounting hole, (approximately 1/2" from the strut end of the plastic mounting bracket. Now grind the remaining plastic to approximately 5/8" and taper it slightly on the strut side to make sure it will guide itself into the small tube in your stock tube when fully closed. Now take the spring and nylon spacer out and install the gas tube into the small tube of the stock strut and extend the stock strut and put the large cap back on. Your done! Mount the updated lift strut. One modified tube can be used with a stock spring loaded tube, but I did both which does makes it fully lift with not problems. With both modified it take a bit, not too much, of force when closing the hatch.
