ThePerfectK
New member
Now I'm excited, I would definitely consider a custom rebuild if it does not suck... keep the info coming, and thanks MountainBiker (et al)!
:drummer:
Monroe Max Lift Struts for the rear hatch
- Thread starter jsmithjr732
- Start date
Now I'm excited, I would definitely consider a custom rebuild if it does not suck... keep the info coming, and thanks MountainBiker (et al)!
:drummer:
MountainBiker
Member
I'll be sending my OEM struts to Strutwise soon, but I wanted to report on my current setup. I have a Monroe on one side, and a Strongarm on the other.
With this setup, I have to push the hatch up to full height when the temperature is below ~45 degrees F. But the good news: even at 0 degrees F, the hatch stays up! This is an improvement over my OEM struts.
With this setup, I have to push the hatch up to full height when the temperature is below ~45 degrees F. But the good news: even at 0 degrees F, the hatch stays up! This is an improvement over my OEM struts.
blizz86
New member
Not sure why you didnt just replace both of them with one brand instead of half purchasing shocks that should work together as a pair.
I just put in two Monroes and they lift perfectly fine (even with the window down).. they clear my head fine and the last few inches of opening need just a tiny bit of persuasion..
MountainBiker
Member
Because some people had success with Strongarm, some had success with Monroe. However, for every success (with either brand), there are at least two that are unhappy with the result. I needed to minimize my cash outlay to find which was better. The answer in my case, is that both brands have unacceptable performance. Can't lift the door in warm temps, even with the window closed.
You are one of the lucky ones
blizz86
New member
I bought them off of amazon and if you aren't satisfied you can return within 30 days.
I just bought these off RockAuto.com about a month ago. They're junk. Only opens my hatch halfway. Should have bought them off Amazon for easy return. With RockAuto...I would have had to pay shipping. Not worth it considering the pair only cost me like $30.
ThePerfectK
New member
Not impressed
Yeah, I meant to post some more scientific data here, but basically my opinion is this:
The Monroes are ok. They do lift better than my completely dead original 1999 lift arms, however that's not saying much...
At first it seemed like they lifted the gate all the way to the 80% point without my assistance, but then after the first few uses I had to help them up to 80%, and then it's almost a fight to get the gate to 100% open from 80%.
They are fairly consistent, I'll say that. This winter it got down to -1F or so, and they still worked the same as when it was 20F outside. Now that it's around 35 or 40F, they still work about the same, really, maybe a little better. Maybe when it gets warmer they'll really open the gate like I'd hope... but I'm not counting on it.
It's been so long that I don't recall how the originals performed new, so take that into consideration.
I also realize that my expectations may be too high - on my 2007 Toyota Sienna van the mechanical lift is pure win. Maybe if we rig up a more serious auto-opener a few of us would be all happy. Oh but it has to be small and look cool too, haha... designers, start your engines, I sense a kickstarter coming!
Cheers!
K
Yeah, I meant to post some more scientific data here, but basically my opinion is this:
The Monroes are ok. They do lift better than my completely dead original 1999 lift arms, however that's not saying much...
At first it seemed like they lifted the gate all the way to the 80% point without my assistance, but then after the first few uses I had to help them up to 80%, and then it's almost a fight to get the gate to 100% open from 80%.
They are fairly consistent, I'll say that. This winter it got down to -1F or so, and they still worked the same as when it was 20F outside. Now that it's around 35 or 40F, they still work about the same, really, maybe a little better. Maybe when it gets warmer they'll really open the gate like I'd hope... but I'm not counting on it.
It's been so long that I don't recall how the originals performed new, so take that into consideration.
I also realize that my expectations may be too high - on my 2007 Toyota Sienna van the mechanical lift is pure win. Maybe if we rig up a more serious auto-opener a few of us would be all happy. Oh but it has to be small and look cool too, haha... designers, start your engines, I sense a kickstarter coming!
Cheers!
K
Fireball
Member
PerfectK - thanks for the review and good info.
Unfortunately looks like I'll end up ponying up the big $$ for the OEM replacements. It's a tough pill to swallow, but cheaper than taking my wife to the hospital to stitch her up when the liftgate smacks her on the head when she's got an armful of groceries!
Trdparts4u.com has them for $160 a piece. Anyone know any place to get them a bit cheaper?
Unfortunately looks like I'll end up ponying up the big $$ for the OEM replacements. It's a tough pill to swallow, but cheaper than taking my wife to the hospital to stitch her up when the liftgate smacks her on the head when she's got an armful of groceries!
Trdparts4u.com has them for $160 a piece. Anyone know any place to get them a bit cheaper?
ThePerfectK
New member
I should probably point out something I didn't make clear:
With the Monroes, after I get 'em up to 80% or 100% (however hard I feel like fighting with them), they do not fall down. That's a major improvement over my dead OEM 1999 originals.
In other words, it frustrates me that I have to push up on the gate to get it raised, but at least with these new Monroes once the gate is up, it stays up. Then I have to put forth a little effort to get the gate to come down and close again, so at the very least I no longer get smacked in the head as you describe...
Despite my disappointment, I just wanted to give credit where credit is due - they don't suck as badly as I may have implied =)
Cheers!
K
With the Monroes, after I get 'em up to 80% or 100% (however hard I feel like fighting with them), they do not fall down. That's a major improvement over my dead OEM 1999 originals.
In other words, it frustrates me that I have to push up on the gate to get it raised, but at least with these new Monroes once the gate is up, it stays up. Then I have to put forth a little effort to get the gate to come down and close again, so at the very least I no longer get smacked in the head as you describe...
Despite my disappointment, I just wanted to give credit where credit is due - they don't suck as badly as I may have implied =)
Cheers!
K
Fireball
Member
So, I finally got around to installing the lift struts I bought from NAPA a few months ago.
Made by Stabilus, "Lift-O-Mat" $104.98 for the pair. Simple and easy swap, although the upper attachment point rubber grommet is reused, and mine were in pretty bad shape, so I might buy some new ones.
In the 90 degree summer afternoon, you can barely open the liftgate and the struts take care of the rest, opening all the way to the top and staying there. They seem pretty strong, but I guess time will tell how long they hold up!
Thanks,
Ben
Made by Stabilus, "Lift-O-Mat" $104.98 for the pair. Simple and easy swap, although the upper attachment point rubber grommet is reused, and mine were in pretty bad shape, so I might buy some new ones.
In the 90 degree summer afternoon, you can barely open the liftgate and the struts take care of the rest, opening all the way to the top and staying there. They seem pretty strong, but I guess time will tell how long they hold up!
Thanks,
Ben
The true test will be in winter/colder weather. My Monroes sucked in winter, but open okay now that it's warmer.
Fireball
Member
I agree. In hindsight, should've waited and purchased in December to see how well they worked and easily be able to return them if they didn't. Oh well - I've spent a few bucks at the local NAPA, so if they go to crap when the cold weather hits I'll try to talk them into giving me a refund.
I still have the OEM ones saved. They opened to ~75% mark just fine and stayed there. But I had to push it the whole way up, and they weren't a huge fan of staying in place at the very top of the travel.
Also I checked the parts catalogs online and can't seem to find the rubber bushings/grommets that go through the mounting points on the actual liftgate. So I don't think those are available as a separate item.
I still have the OEM ones saved. They opened to ~75% mark just fine and stayed there. But I had to push it the whole way up, and they weren't a huge fan of staying in place at the very top of the travel.
Also I checked the parts catalogs online and can't seem to find the rubber bushings/grommets that go through the mounting points on the actual liftgate. So I don't think those are available as a separate item.
Any follow up with these?
ThePerfectK
New member
Impressive resurrection of an old thread...
I don't drive this 4runner anymore, my brother in law has it... crazy how the years fly by. The funny thing is that just last weekend, I helped him move, and I found myself standing under the rear gate on my old 4runner, digging out boxes...
and I had to push the gate up that last 20%. I didn't recall this thread at all, but I did shake my head and think "why don't those darn struts push the door all the way up," haha... so I have no reason to believe that they are any better than I reviewed them before. They get the job done, and I'd probably buy 'em again, given the situation. Props to the hardware for lasting 4 or 5 years in New England winters, there is that on the positive side.
If I want an auto-lift gate (as I suggested in this thread), then I guess I'd have to buy a newer ride...
I don't drive this 4runner anymore, my brother in law has it... crazy how the years fly by. The funny thing is that just last weekend, I helped him move, and I found myself standing under the rear gate on my old 4runner, digging out boxes...
and I had to push the gate up that last 20%. I didn't recall this thread at all, but I did shake my head and think "why don't those darn struts push the door all the way up," haha... so I have no reason to believe that they are any better than I reviewed them before. They get the job done, and I'd probably buy 'em again, given the situation. Props to the hardware for lasting 4 or 5 years in New England winters, there is that on the positive side.
If I want an auto-lift gate (as I suggested in this thread), then I guess I'd have to buy a newer ride...
thegipper
New member
Strong arm makes a "heavy duty" lift support that I bought on Amazon for I think 50ish bucks for a pair of them.
My old ones wouldn't lift my tailgate in winter (Wisconsin). The strong arms worked awesome, almost too powerful even in winter. I've had them about a year now with no issues.
https://www.amazon.com/4Runner-Lift...r=8-7&keywords=4runner+strongarm+lift+support
My old ones wouldn't lift my tailgate in winter (Wisconsin). The strong arms worked awesome, almost too powerful even in winter. I've had them about a year now with no issues.
https://www.amazon.com/4Runner-Lift...r=8-7&keywords=4runner+strongarm+lift+support
Last edited:
M_stafford
New member
Monroe Struts
I recently bought the Monroe struts described and they work excellent.
They are much easier to install with two people, under 15 minutes. I have had them now 6 months without problem, they lift much quicker than the stocks.
I had horrible creaking though after installing them. Highly recommend white lithium grease to fix it!
I recently bought the Monroe struts described and they work excellent.
They are much easier to install with two people, under 15 minutes. I have had them now 6 months without problem, they lift much quicker than the stocks.
I had horrible creaking though after installing them. Highly recommend white lithium grease to fix it!
octanejunkie
Elite Member
THIS
Made in USA for $44 with free Prime 3-5 day shipping, plus they come with the upper brackets, which means no reusing the old crumbling stock bushings like the Monroes make you use
Made in USA for $44 with free Prime 3-5 day shipping, plus they come with the upper brackets, which means no reusing the old crumbling stock bushings like the Monroes make you use
