Good replacement rear hatch struts?

[Outrider]

I replaced mine over 10 years ago, and the latest ones no longer hold up the hatch when it is below about 40 deg. F.

I did a search here, but none of the thread titles on the first page of results looked even related to "hatch struts" (typical of forum search engines, which generally suck hind teat).

Does anyone know of good bang-for-the-buck aftermarket hatch struts for a Gen 3 SR5?

 

[RodrickHeffley]

I replaced mine over 10 years ago, and the latest ones no longer hold up the hatch when it is below about 40 deg. F.

I did a search here, but none of the thread titles on the first page of results looked even related to "hatch struts" (typical of forum search engines, which generally suck hind teat).

Does anyone know of good bang-for-the-buck aftermarket hatch struts for a Gen 3 SR5?

I've heard good things about Strongarm struts

 

[Endlessblockades]

My 4 year-old Strongarms left the chat recently and my OEM cold-spec struts (that Leon/Spiker kindly provided the P/Ns for recently) are Out For Delivery as I type this. I was going to find the thread with the part #s for you but I came across this timely post....

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3788222-post34714.html

 

[brillo_76]

Oem rear door struts cold weather spec.

Sent from my SM-A536V using Tapatalk

 

[RodrickHeffley]

I've never heard of those cold weather struts before, this november I might go get myself some, the used OEM ones I got for like 15$ are better than the ones I had but still not amazing

 

[brillo_76]

If you ever get smacked in the head with the weak struts. You remember. I figured the cold weather spec ones will work in all environments and save a few goose eggs on the noggin.

Being folks are saying these strong arms are dying in a few years then we only have one option left.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Strongarm struts lasted 5 years then failed. Go with the cold spec OEM, I'm also ordering some either this month or next.

 

[JoeT4R]

Many will, as stated above, disagree with the Strongarm hatch struts. I personally love them and just installed them three months ago. The P/N is 6815 in case you wanted to know. You can find them on Amazon and other platforms across the internet.

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[Outrider]

OP here. Thanks for all of the info above. I just found the struts on Amazon with the part number given above:

https://www.amazon.com/4Runner-Liftgate-Supports-Lifting-version/dp/B00W8QBA30/ref=sr_1_2?crid=104LH79SU4LSH&keywords=strongarm+6815&qid=1678885673&sprefix=strongarm+6815%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-2

I presume the Strongarms bolt right up to the factory attachments, or do they require any special attachment brackets?

 

[JoeT4R]

OP here. Thanks for all of the info above. I just found the struts on Amazon with the part number given above:

Amazon.com

I presume the Strongarms bolt right up to the factory attachments, or do they require any special attachment brackets?

What you see in the photo is exactly what you get. Just the struts themselves. All you need to do is remove the c-clips and push the pins out, replace strut, reinstall pin then reinstall the c-clip. Many will replace the old, worn out, sometimes even non-existent bushings that were once there. I did not replace any bushings and I haven't had any negative results. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just a matter of personal preference.

If you decide you want to do bushings, you'll have to search around here on the forum. Some guys have used Hillman nylon bushings and then cut them to fit.

 

[3bears]

I used the strong arms and got about 4 years out of them. I do deal with extreme winter temps. I too had to make my own bushings as listed in above thread.
I just got my yota cold temp struts . COmes with all brackets and bushings. I paid 52 each plus shipping

 

[Spiker Engineering]

I used to be a fan of Strongarm 6815, but now they are made in China instead of in USA, like they were before.

So as [MENTION=373697]Endlessblockades[/MENTION] said, I went with the OEM Cold Spec struts. They are massive, with plenty of lift force. Being OEM, I hope they last longer than the 5 years that the 6815's did.

Also, they come with new brackets, bushings, etc, so that's a bonus.

 

[Endlessblockades]

Got my cold-specs last night and I am glad I spent the extra $ on the Toyota parts. Since the dealer was doing free shipping I treated myself to a rear wiper assembly (no pics - I put it on right away) to go along with the replacement rubber bumper I had laying around. Thanks again to Leon for the head's up on the struts.

 

[JoeT4R]

Got my cold-specs last night and I am glad I spent the extra $ on the Toyota parts. Since the dealer was doing free shipping I treated myself to a rear wiper assembly (no pics - I put it on right away) to go along with the replacement rubber bumper I had laying around. Thanks again to Leon for the head's up on the struts.

Much JDM, very OEM.

I kid. I do like the packaging on our rear wiper blades though. It's pretty cool I think.

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[Endlessblockades]

Much JDM, very OEM.

I kid. I do like the packaging on our rear wiper blades though. It's pretty cool I think.

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HAHA I am a sucker for that stuff.

I popped the struts in on my lunch break at work and forgot that I had used a 2x4 to prop up the hatch last time. Had to use my head as a hatch support and stand on tippy-toes while getting the bolts started. So nice that these are fully assembled and just need 4 bolts per side.

 

[GhostRing]

Much JDM, very OEM.

 

[Pyral]

I don't recommend the Tuff Support replacement struts. I got the normal strength ones and they can't lift the tailgate once the temperature drops. They have extra strong ones that could be better.

After experiencing that, I might look into rebuilding the original ones. The originals look more sturdy than all the replacements I've seen. If you live in a cold area, get the extra strong version from whatever brand you choose.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Many will, as stated above, disagree with the Strongarm hatch struts. I personally love them and just installed them three months ago. The P/N is 6815 in case you wanted to know. You can find them on Amazon and other platforms across the internet.

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Mine we great as well, they are very punchy and strong. I did buy the overcharge model which it seems like they do not sell anymore, or I cannot find it. The Strongarms lasted 5 good years, but my OEM struts before that lasted 19, so I'm going back to OEM. I think at the time of purchase the Strongarms were around 1/2 the price of the OEM parts but now the Toyota OEM struts have gotten cheaper (surprising) while the Strongarms have become more expensive.

 

[JoeT4R]

Mine we great as well, they are very punchy and strong. I did buy the overcharge model which it seems like they do not sell anymore, or I cannot find it. The Strongarms lasted 5 good years, but my OEM struts before that lasted 19, so I'm going back to OEM. I think at the time of purchase the Strongarms were around 1/2 the price of the OEM parts but now the Toyota OEM struts have gotten cheaper (surprising) while the Strongarms have become more expensive.

The 6815's are the "with added strength" version. If I get 5 solid years out of them like you did, I'll be happy with that. If/when the time comes, I'll consider going to the OEM cold-spec struts. When I did my researching I didn't come across the OEM cold-spec version, otherwise I likely would have gone with them. The price was a big selling point for me, too. Like $65 or something around there. They've been great so far though, even in sub-freezing temps, like 20 degrees or so.

 

[Outrider]

OP back again. Thanks again for all of the info. When I get some spare cash, I will order some OEM's.

For some background info, the reason for my OP here is that on a cold day (30 F), I had to take one of my dogs to the vet for getting spayed. I put her crate in the back of my T4R, and in the process of doing that and picking up her 54 lb to put in the crate, my tailgate kept dropping down and I very nearly clocked my forehead a few times.

Back in the day, I cheaped out on stuff, at the expense of extra labor. I probably had to do something to the mounting brackets when I put my existing aftermarkets in about 12 years ago. The older I get, the less HASSLE I will abide, and I really don't want to go searching for parts and maybe modifying them to fit. I want to bolt and go. Plug and play. Grumpy old man syndrome. Finally, if it comes a time to replace the new replacements that I will get, I won't want it to be from me, as I will be between about 62 and 70 then (if my T4R is still running by then). 5 year struts might make it. 19 year struts will definitely make it, and when I sell it, a properly working tailgate on a dinosaur will be a bonus in the sale.

Finally, on an unrelated note, my upcoming emission inspection will be my last on this T4R. Beginning in 2024, I will no longer have to have it inspected, as it will be considered an antique here in GA.