03-03-2011, 06:57 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 6
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StrongArm 4286 Gas Charged Lift Supports review
I bought a pair of the StrongArm lift supports b/c my factory supports were getting weak. It would have trouble going up and when the window was lowered into the hatch, the hatch would drop down a bit. I was originally going to buy a set of Monroe's, but after reading poor reviews on Amazon, I decided to go with StrongArm. I got them off Ebay, from seller "mrlousstuff". It was $44 free shipping, but I had to pay tax since I'm in CA.
Tools used:
Ratchet
3" extension
12mm socket
Pair of flat head screwdrivers
Time: Less than 30 minutes
Here they are:
Since I was doing it myself, I used a ladder and a Lisle hood prop rod to hold up the hatch.
The lower mounting point. Remove 2 bolts with a 12mm socket.
The upper mounting point. Remove 2 bolts with a 12mm socket.
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03-03-2011, 07:06 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CA
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Junior Member
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I used a pair of flat head screwdrivers to remove the c-clip.
Upper part. Bolt, bracket, and c-clip.
Lower part. Bolt, washer, bracket, and c-clip.
Wiped the dirt off the parts and put back together. When I mounted them to the car. I had to stand on the ladder and push up with my shoulder on the hatch to make screwing in the bolts easier so the brackets weren't resting on the bolts.
I have a couple videos that I'm uploading to youtube. Its a new camera and I guess I shot it in HD so its taking awhile.
1st video shows opening the hatch with window closed. Then lowering the window into the hatch to test if they stay up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaXRNhhozcc
2nd video shows opening the hatch with window opened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1dt88PRw_E
When the hatch gets near the top, the stroke is controlled and it starts to slow down, which is a good feature. I read the Monroe's would go full power all the way. I noticed when opening the hatch with the window down, it doesn't go up all the way. It needs a little help near the top to fully extend. Its not that big of a deal to me since its near the top. You can see it in the 2nd video. It was worth the money to me since I don't need to worry about the hatch falling down on my head. Would definitely recommend if someone needs new supports.
Last edited by buish; 03-03-2011 at 08:43 PM.
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03-03-2011, 11:09 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,788
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Senior Member
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Nice write up!
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1996 SR5 4Runner V6 4WD Auto
Toytec Ultimate w/ OME 890's plus 1.5" daystar spacer
60028 OME shocks, Goodyear Duratracs 265/75 -16
B&M 70268 with Magnefine filter, 199mm TBU
236K miles
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03-03-2011, 11:13 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: California
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Senior Member
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Sweet find. Mine falls on my head when its cold outside. even with the window up.
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check out my build thread  My Build
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03-04-2011, 12:51 AM
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#5
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 150
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Member
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rubber grommets
did you replace the rubber grommets?
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2001 4Runner Sport, Black, 83K miles, Procomp 8069, Duratrac 265/75/16, Toytec Ultimate Lift, Custom Badlands bumper with Smittybuilt XRC winch, Budbuilt Skid, Hella 1000 BM, PIAA 510 fogs, IRS mod, Stubbs HD-SKO Sliders, Garmin Nuvi1490T GPS, B&M 70268
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03-04-2011, 01:14 AM
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#6
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Missoula, Montana
Posts: 821
Real Name: James
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Real Name: James
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Looks good. What kind of camera are you using?
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1997 SR5 5spd
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ISR - True Flow - Magnaflow - 285/75 BFG AT
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03-04-2011, 01:15 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Denver metro area-CO
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Real Name: Uhhh this is my real name
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nicely done and well documented.
This seems to be a common issue with our aging Runners, and nice to see the product named and install photographed so logically.
Well done!
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06 4th gen V8 4WD of course...
08 Honda Ridgeline RT
05 Scion xB-the toaster-daily driver
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03-04-2011, 07:24 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CA
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
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No, I didn't replace my rubber grommets. They did have some wear, but weren't to the point of falling apart. StrongArm does not come with any grommets, just the strut. If I did need to replace them, I would hope one of these fit. If I got time later today, I'll take one apart and get some measurements.
Grommets & Grommet Material
I am using a Canon S95. Its a point and shoot. I'm not into photography, so all the cameras I have owned are point and shoot.
The stock support is made by KYB.
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03-04-2011, 11:47 AM
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#9
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Broomfield, Colorado
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I just installed these last weekend! I agree that they work very well, and were easy to install. I actually got them from Amazon, I think they were about $55 for the set, with free shipping.
One note about the install- like you, I unbolted the mounts when I did the first one. However, on the second I just popped the c-clips and swapped shocks on the truck. It saved a bit of time, and I don't think there was a downside.
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03-04-2011, 03:42 PM
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#10
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: ABQ, NM, USA
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Nice write-up man. Mine are starting to go on my '97, so I might have to check these out soon.
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03-04-2011, 10:43 PM
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#11
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Reno, Nevada
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Reno, Nevada
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Ordered some today
thanks for the info, used the same ebay seller
ps I'm tired of hitting my head at the ski hill
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2001 4Runner Sport, Black, 83K miles, Procomp 8069, Duratrac 265/75/16, Toytec Ultimate Lift, Custom Badlands bumper with Smittybuilt XRC winch, Budbuilt Skid, Hella 1000 BM, PIAA 510 fogs, IRS mod, Stubbs HD-SKO Sliders, Garmin Nuvi1490T GPS, B&M 70268
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03-05-2011, 12:36 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2010
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I just did mine today, but I used the Monroe 901446 Max lifts, picked them up at Amazon for $20 a piece. Seem to work well. My gromets are completely toasted though, so i'll have to check the site you posted to find a replacement. Great write up though. Thanks
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03-05-2011, 12:37 AM
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#13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bim3
I just installed these last weekend! I agree that they work very well, and were easy to install. I actually got them from Amazon, I think they were about $55 for the set, with free shipping.
One note about the install- like you, I unbolted the mounts when I did the first one. However, on the second I just popped the c-clips and swapped shocks on the truck. It saved a bit of time, and I don't think there was a downside.
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I just went ahead and only undid the clips on each one and didn't have any real problems.
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03-06-2011, 05:59 AM
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#14
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got a question!
i have deadener all over the hatch of my truck so its much heavier, i have to push it up to fully open but the best part is that mines doesnt sound as bad as everyone elses where it falls on their heads..
when you ordered the shocks or first started looking for them, did you search by length?
maybe ill invest in some shocks but i might need a little more punch to mines.
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2016 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition
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03-06-2011, 02:43 PM
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#15
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Plymouth, MN
Age: 38
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Plymouth, MN
Age: 38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HanSolo
What are these grommets everyone is talking about? I replaced mine last year with the Strongarm ones and don't remember seeing any. They work fantastic though.
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I believe it would be the one in this picture (still attached to the bracket):
Quote:
Originally Posted by buish
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