Lift Gate Support Strong-arm vs OEM issues

[greeney]

I figured a detailed photo is always helpful to somebody in the future who is replacing the back liftgate supports. Searching this forum I found useful information on getting spacers and washers to fit between the connection brackets. Problem I ran into was the difference in the top ends of OEM and StrongArm. The existing pin is made to seat into a square hole and won't work with the holes in the aftermarket one. And even if I was able to make a square hole in the new support, the bracket metal is thicker so the pin won't quite clear enough to put on a c-clip. Sooooooo....looks Like I've got to find a new bolt/pin of correct length to get through the hole and allow a c-clip.

 

[Rancho5]

I need to replace mine as well so I went to Amazon to look for options. The strongArm link below shows that the ends are very similar to OEM and will fit,. at least to my untrained eye. If they sent you a set with that silver end on it, I'd send it back and insist on ones that look like the Amazon picture. Maybe they sold you old stock, or a mistake?

https://www.amazon.com/StrongArm-4286-4Runner-Liftgate-Support/dp/B000ALBROC

 

[greeney]

Wow, just looked at that pix and you're right.

 

[T4topher]

Yea I can verify the strong arm’s that I got had the square hole and fit fine for me. Looks like they sent you the wrong thing.

 

[greeney]

Thanks for catching that. I called the company on the shipping slip and they said they know that there is a batch of 4286 Strong Arm lift arms they are having to send back to the manufacturer. I said I still need to buy some and they said don't order from the same Amazon source but places like AutoZone can get them. Just to make sure that the other sources aren't buying them through them at AMS Automotive. At least now I know what to look for if I find more.

 

[WWRD99]

I used the Monroe 901446 Max-Lift set back in April of 2017, they go up like a monster so I gotta watch my head, they have the correct square end to use the old bolt to mount it. I got mine on Amazon for 18 each. I see advance auto carries the strong arm for 35 each plus a discount if you order online. I'm not sure why they are double the price from the ones I got. Is the warranty better I wonder...side note these don't open as strong today as it's 6 degrees out but once it warms up it opens fine...maybe the strongarm ones don't vary on temp.

 

[thenightman]

Since it has been ridiculously cold in some areas recently, I would be interested to hear from people in those areas how the strong-arm supports are doing in those conditions.

 

[T4topher]

Since it has been ridiculously cold in some areas recently, I would be interested to hear from people in those areas how the strong-arm supports are doing in those conditions.

Supposedly strongarm has a ‘cold spec’ version and a regular version.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Strongarm 6815 is the strong version. I have a set of those in my truck, and they are amazing - the liftgate pops right up.

Oddly, while they were available last year on Amazon for about the same price as the regular strength 4286 units, they are now very hard to find at anything other than ridiculous prices. Not sure why.

https://www.amazon.com/4Runner-Liftgate-Supports-Lifting-version/dp/B00W8QBA30

Qty (2) Toyota 4Runner 1996 To 2002 Liftgate Lift Supports (Added Lifting Force) 719926120722 | eBay

 

[pluton]

Could it be the old 'jack up the prices during the winter when most owners will become annoyed at how slow their original OEM are opening the liftgate' trick?

 

[96RedRunner]

Thanks for catching that. AutoZone can get them..

Bought Strongarm's regular duty last year, matched perfect. Rockauto is cheaper than most places.

 

[TheDurk]

Since it has been ridiculously cold in some areas recently, I would be interested to hear from people in those areas how the strong-arm supports are doing in those conditions.

5°F today. My 6815s still pop it all the way up which the factory ones didn't do new.

EDIT: Last few inches were slower than usual just now, but it still went all the way up.

 

[Hammit]

I installed the regular duty strong arms a few days ago (didn't know there was a better version) and was pretty disappointed. From what I had read I thought they would have no issue going all the way up, I was wrong. granted we've been on either side of 0 degrees here for the last week or so but I am still unsatisfied. At least they hold it up though, not more lift gate smashing down behind me.


*edit* they lift up to about the last foot, if I lift it the rest of the way by hand it will stay in position. No doubt they will do a fine job once this cold snaps.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

I installed the regular duty strong arms a few days ago (didn't know there was a better version) and was pretty disappointed. From what I had read I thought they would have no issue going all the way up, I was wrong. granted we've been on either side of 0 degrees here for the last week or so but I am still unsatisfied. At least they hold it up though, not more lift gate smashing down behind me.


*edit* they lift up to about the last foot, if I lift it the rest of the way by hand it will stay in position. No doubt they will do a fine job once this cold snaps.

That's exactly the experience I had with the regular 4286's, so after clunking my head one time too many, I switched to the 6815's.

 

[greeney]

Regarding wrong item that was sent:
Not to beat this to death, but seller wants pictures and more explanation before processing my refund or exchange. This whole third party thing with Amazon is nuts, with 3 layers of distributors and China somewhere at the end. Made this detailed explanation pix. Sigh.

 

[T4topher]

Regarding wrong item that was sent:
Not to beat this to death, but seller wants pictures and more explanation before processing my refund or exchange. This whole third party thing with Amazon is nuts, with 3 layers of distributors and China somewhere at the end. Made this detailed explanation pix. Sigh.

Those don’t even look like strong arms.. wtf.. sent you the completely wrong product? Says rhino pac on the package..?? Don’t remember my package looking like that, I think it was a plastic sleeve. I got mine from rock auto though.

Edit: they are definitely trying to play you, AMS is a totally different brand than strong arm. Get your money back and order from rockauto IMO..

2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 3.4L V6 Lift Support | RockAuto

Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the list for the strong arms

 

[greeney]

you're right. I ordered from Amazon, the packing slip list AMS, and some other company called Import Replacement Parts is asking me for photos.

 

[TheDurk]

I just checked the image for the Amazon Strongarm's that I have:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W8QBA30/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also note that the item is sold out and back-ordered. The price for what they don't have is $185 and I paid $44 to the same seller (Lift Supports Depot) in September 2017. Something is fishy.

 

[TXAg91]

Lift gate Bolt/Pin Part numbers?

I bought the SrongArm 4286 several months ago. It was working great until the bolt/pin apparently popped out and it popped off and bound up my lift gate. Does anyone know where to find the part number or to buy new bolt/Pin/C-clamps to replace the missing one I lost?

Thanks.

 

[3bears]

I don't think either of the #s are available, but on you tube, and on this forum, is a video showing the install of strong arms and the home depot/lowes part #s that were used