Rear Hatch Strut Options

[RC57]

I have a 99 4Runner LTD, 200k miles, with worn out bushings on the rear hatch struts. Toyota doesn't sell the bushings alone, only struts with bushings for $200+ each.

Does anyone know a source for bushings, or alternatively aftermarket struts that include bushings? All the aftermarket I've seen are sold without bushings.

The struts themselves are doing ok, however it wouldn't hurt to freshen them up too. They allow the door to sag a few inches. The biggest problem for now is disintegrated bushings.

-RC

 

[Range]

High Quality Automotive | Marine | Industrial Lift Supports

Forget the bushings. Just replace everything with a set of these. Toyota can suck a fat baby's di*k with their $200 lift supports. I have a set of these along with many other guys on this site and they're better than OEM. They're also just as good as the ones Gobi sells yet a hell of a lot cheaper and they're not sold by a bunch of gimps. I have a set and even with a ladder my lift gate springs upward fast enough to knock your ass out if you're standing too close.

 

[RC57]

Nice looking supports, great price. Do they come with bushings?

 

[I_bRAD]

If you pull the old ones and measure them you can likely get them for a few bucks at mcmaster carr

 

[RedSled]

Nice looking supports, great price. Do they come with bushings?

I also used these supports and they are great, none of the supports come with bushings, but you can make your own as someone on this site has pics. I can not find the post right now, but if you do a search you may come up with the info.

 

[I_bRAD]

are you guys going for the standard or increased force versions?

 

[RC57]

Back when I had access to a lathe I would have spun something up in a few minutes. No longer.

 

[Range]

are you guys going for the standard or increased force versions?

I have a 4th Gen so there's only one type available and they are the "Strong Arm Supports". I'm guessing they are the standard which are ridiculously strong to begin with. I may be wrong though. Either way, they are very robust and the spring rate didn't change with the weather.

 

[MONTYMTB]

FYI - If you get them from their ebay store, they offer free shipping:
Qty 2 Strongarm 4286 Rear Liftgate Hatch Tailgate Lift Supports Struts Shocks | eBay

 

[bugman-74]

I have the strongarm's on mine, and they are great. Pick up some nylon spacers and washers from Ace to make your own bushing. I had a buddy cut down the spacers on his lathe (1/2" long I believe), but it can be done by hand. There is a thread or two around here that talks about this.

 

[RC57]

I have the strongarm's on mine, and they are great. Pick up some nylon spacers and washers from Ace to make your own bushing. I had a buddy cut down the spacers on his lathe (1/2" long I believe), but it can be done by hand. There is a thread or two around here that talks about this.

Pic is quite helpful. Got an Ace around the corner.

 

[RC57]

Ace hardware didn't have the bushings I needed. Their selection had been hopelessly mixed and pilfered. I went to Lowe's and found what I needed. I cut the 1" length inner bushing down to ~11.5mm length with a hacksaw. It's a decent fit. The side washers I left as is, using one on each side. Here's some pics showing the parts bags, inner bushing before and after cutting, then installed.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[5vzfe817]

Winner winner!

...Ace hardware didn't have the bushings I needed. Their selection had been hopelessly mixed and pilfered. I went to Lowe's and found what I needed. I cut the 1" length inner bushing down to ~11.5mm length with a hacksaw. It's a decent fit. The side washers I left as is, using one on each side. Here's some pics showing the parts bags, inner bushing before and after cutting, then installed.

Thanks for the suggestions!

This was EXACTLY the thread I needed at the right time!:thumb: The top openings mic'd out to 0.470 and I used a tiny pipe cutter to score the bushing to ~0.472 straight. I then used a sanding block to trim it down. Looks way better than this pic shows (after all, it is zoomed in). Definitely would have preferred black nylon, but didn't realize there were even any bushings/problems (mine were beyond destroyed) until we (wifey joined me) were committed! Got the struts from RockAuto:
MONROE 901446 Lift Support $ 13.33ea *2 + shipping $33.55...ain't no way I am paying OEM prices for this and ~$2.50 for washers/bushings.

 

[00CaliRunner]

Monroe vs Strongman struts

Anyone have experience with either of the strongman struts, or monroe? Shaun & timmythetoolman just released a video on this repair, it looks like the stronger strongman struts are still $$$. I am wondering how the monroe hold up, as it seems the lower level strongman struggle in the cold weather. I have been needing this repair for sometime, however was able to revitalize my stock struts using a little white lithium grease, must have just improved the seal, and it will remain up unassisted in warm weather now, as long as the window is up.. Either way interested in the better strongman struts, or an equivalent.

Yet another helpful video from the TimmyTheToolman Team!

 

[WWRD99]

Anyone have experience with either of the strongman struts, or monroe? Shaun & timmythetoolman just released a video on this repair, it looks like the stronger strongman struts are still $$$. I am wondering how the monroe hold up, as it seems the lower level strongman struggle in the cold weather. I have been needing this repair for sometime, however was able to revitalize my stock struts using a little white lithium grease, must have just improved the seal, and it will remain up unassisted in warm weather now, as long as the window is up.. Either way interested in the better strongman struts, or an equivalent.

Yet another helpful video from the TimmyTheToolman Team!

I must have missed it but the last video I saw him do was on the hood strut install not the rear hatch struts or bushings?? I got the basic ones off ebay that work fine, they were 40$ or so...nothing fancy and work better since I replaced the bushings, didn't know they were binding.

 

[TheDurk]

I would love someone to explain what happened to the price of Stromgarm 6815s. In 2017, I got the PAIR for $44.

Shipped on September 26, 2017

Items Ordered Price
1 of: Qty (2) Toyota 4Runner 1996 To 2002 Liftgate Lift Supports (Added Lifting Force Over The OEM version)
Sold by: Lift Supports Depot (seller profile)

Condition: New
$44.00
[/QUOTE

Now it's $79 each!! WTF?

BTW, they work great, even at 10°F.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

I would love someone to explain what happened to the price of Stromgarm 6815s. In 2017, I got the PAIR for $44.

I have the 6815's, and they're awesome, I also got them for under $50. I believe someone researched the situation and posted here that Lift Supports Depot (who was selling them on Amazon for <$50) is currently out of stock, which is why the price is so high. But they expect to get a huge shipment soon, and the price will supposedly drop back to normal levels.

 

[00CaliRunner]

I must have missed it but the last video I saw him do was on the hood strut install not the rear hatch struts or bushings?? I got the basic ones off ebay that work fine, they were 40$ or so...nothing fancy and work better since I replaced the bushings, didn't know they were binding.

Yeah, the video was released just today. The lower end strongmans will probably work fine for me, definitely need new bushings, which they used the nylon spacer & washer method from the forum. Not an urgent repair, but watching his rear hatch just raise up gave me some envy.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I would love someone to explain what happened to the price of Stromgarm 6815s. In 2017, I got the PAIR for $44.

Shipped on September 26, 2017

Items Ordered Price
1 of: Qty (2) Toyota 4Runner 1996 To 2002 Liftgate Lift Supports (Added Lifting Force Over The OEM version)
Sold by: Lift Supports Depot (seller profile)

Condition: New
$44.00

Now it's $79 each!! WTF?

BTW, they work great, even at 10°F.

I have the 6815's, and they're awesome, I also got them for under $50. I believe someone researched the situation and posted here that Lift Supports Depot (who was selling them on Amazon for <$50) is currently out of stock, which is why the price is so high. But they expect to get a huge shipment soon, and the price will supposedly drop back to normal levels.

I did some digging on the $79 price in this link.

 

[Mark_BC]

For Canadians I have this site in my bookmarks, a guy in Surrey who refurbishes your OEM struts.

StrutWise Technical Services - Gas Lift Strut Service and Repair