Monroe Max-Lift for Hatch?

[Kanger328]

Hello. I just bought these because my existing struts for the rear hatch were worn out. The issue is that the new ones I bought don't lift the rear hatch all the way up on its own. Isn't it supposed to? It goes up halfway, then I have the push up the rest. I did notice that the body is thinner than the stockers. Should I return? Is there a better substitute? Here's the link to what I bought:

More Information for MONROE 901446

Thanks in advance!

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

Hello. I just bought these because my existing struts for the rear hatch were worn out. The issue is that the new ones I bought don't lift the rear hatch all the way up on its own. Isn't it supposed to? It goes up halfway, then I have the push up the rest. I did notice that the body is thinner than the stockers. Should I return? Is there a better substitute? Here's the link to what I bought:

More Information for MONROE 901446

Thanks in advance!

I bought those exact same ones and have not been too happy with them for the very reason you stated. I thought about just going with OEM ones but my dealership wanted $200 each. So I just learned to live with the Monroe ones.

 

[MountainBiker]

This is an ongoing, unresolved issue:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61645-monroe-max-lift-struts-rear-hatch.html

 

[Kanger328]

Thanks for the info fellas. Still looks like no real solution except to buy OEM, which are $$$. Suppose I'll keep researching.

 

[Stockwell45]

I'd find someone parting out a 4runner to get some used OEM one's from. Have the seller make sure they lift the hatch all the way and make it stay up.

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

I'd find someone parting out a 4runner to get some used OEM one's from. Have the seller make sure they lift the hatch all the way and make it stay up.

Good idea. I'm actually tempted to drop the $ to buy the OEM ones. I open my rear hatch a lot and plan to keep my truck until the wheels fall off. So it may be worth it for me. I feel the Monroes were only marginally better than the stock ones that had 160K miles on them before I replaced them.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Find some in a junkyard first for cheap $$$. $10 got me a set the other week. Almost brand new.

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

Find some in a junkyard first for cheap $$$. $10 got me a set the other week. Almost brand new.

Check out this link of Toyota junkyards:
All Toyota Junk Yards - YotaTech Forums

 

[Kanger328]

Check out this link of Toyota junkyards:
All Toyota Junk Yards - YotaTech Forums

Dude, this is awesome. Thanks! For now I'll be keeping my cr@p Monroe's. They were $30 for the pair, shipped and I'll have to pay again to send it back, so not really worth the return. I will be checking these places out for other things though!

 

[MountainBiker]

Good idea. I'm actually tempted to drop the $ to buy the OEM ones. I open my rear hatch a lot and plan to keep my truck until the wheels fall off. So it may be worth it for me. I feel the Monroes were only marginally better than the stock ones that had 160K miles on them before I replaced them.

I would've happily paid the price at the dealership, if they would lift the hatch all the way, even when cold. However, a few searches show that many that paid the money, ended up with no improvement! And as far as I can tell, once you've installed the struts, you can't return them for your money back just because they don't lift the hatch.

If you get good results with OEM struts, please let us know, as the majority of results that I could find showed little to no improvement (still required you to push the hatch up the last 6" or more)