Who's changed their lift gate struts?

[packweco]

I've got droopy lift gate syndrome now that it's cold.

I'm torn because normally I would order the OEM replacements for something like this, but they are $180 a pop!

Anyone have good luck with aftermarket ~$30 ones from the local parts store?

 

[Frontier719]

I've got droopy lift gate syndrome now that it's cold.

I'm torn because normally I would order the OEM replacements for something like this, but they are $180 a pop!

Anyone have good luck with aftermarket ~$30 ones from the local parts store?

Ya the aftermarket ones do the job. I did mine and they're super strong. You have to make sure the door doesn't pop up and hit you in the face but if you let it go up slowly, the aftermarket replacement struts hold the door up well

For engine/driveline components, always use OEM. But for this (since a failure won't cause life/death ) I say it's ok to use aftermarket cheapies

 

[RedSled]

I also just replaced mine,i got the heavy duty and they are great. You may have to do the bushing mod. Because they are not available anymore.
High Quality Automotive | Marine | Industrial Lift Supports

 

[AZ4Running]

Hey another Az 4runner guy, whats up. I like to do wheeling trips with local members if you are interested. Back to topic. I have not yet but need to since my rear hatch struts are doing the same as yours are, started with the cold weather. I will be getting aftermarket ones as well. I have installed many on different vehicles asll never had an issue.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I went with some clearance ones on Rock Auto once. Same as my old worn out ones. It lifts about 80% of the way and I have to push it up the rest.

 

[wake_rider]

Qty 2 Strongarm 4286 Rear Liftgate Hatch Tailgate Lift Supports Struts Shocks | eBay


Here you go. I put these on my truck a year ago and even in -10* F, they lifted like a champ. Takes about 8 minutes to install, total.

 

[HammerHead]

I will have to look into those, mine suk

 

[Dearth]

I'm trying to decide whether to replace mine or not. Seems like they fully lift with the window up, but, with the window, down, the struts don't lift fully.
Should I expect the gate to fully lift even with the window down?
Thanks!

 

[jgue467]

... It lifts about 80% of the way and I have to push it up the rest.

Yeah, my old ones only lifted about 90% so i thought new ones would do better, Nope same thing, its the overall design. Oh well....

 

[wake_rider]

I'm trying to decide whether to replace mine or not. Seems like they fully lift with the window up, but, with the window, down, the struts don't lift fully.
Should I expect the gate to fully lift even with the window down?
Thanks!

Those linked struts will lift it either way. A very controlled, full lift.

Yeah, my old ones only lifted about 90% so i thought new ones would do better, Nope same thing, its the overall design. Oh well....

See above. In a year and repeated use, I've never experienced anything but a full lock-out lift, and a controlled speed up the entire way.

 

[1blink]

I used frank from Strutwise in Canada. He rebuilt my oem struts, after shipping came out to about 150. Revalved for cold weather to compensate for the climate I live in now. 4 months and counting, very pleased so far. Picked up some junkyard spares for $10 to use during the exchange

 

[catalina34]

Qty 2 Strongarm 4286 Rear Liftgate Hatch Tailgate Lift Supports Struts Shocks | eBay


Here you go. I put these on my truck a year ago and even in -10* F, they lifted like a champ. Takes about 8 minutes to install, total.

Thanks, just ordered.

 

[sawguy]

I went with some clearance ones on Rock Auto once. Same as my old worn out ones. It lifts about 80% of the way and I have to push it up the rest.

Same with mine. I tried the 'strong arm' model and still the same.

 

[packweco]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone! Lots of good info.

Qty 2 Strongarm 4286 Rear Liftgate Hatch Tailgate Lift Supports Struts Shocks | eBay


Here you go. I put these on my truck a year ago and even in -10* F, they lifted like a champ. Takes about 8 minutes to install, total.

Think I'll go ahead and order these. Thanks for posting them up!

 

[Kanger328]

Whatever you do, don't get Monroe Maxlift. I got those and they don't go up all the way in cold weather (I'm in SoCal...so cold is like 50F). Also, pretty dang hard to close the hatch. I'm a big guy so it's not that bad...but watching girls try to close the hatch is pretty funny.

 

[rockyMTNvagabond]

Agreed on the Monroe. They are garbage

 

[jstack2]

had mine rebuilt and they are diesel!! This guy in cananda Frank does them, OEM rebuilt with new bushing and better valving for cold too....thing goes to the top and i have a Gobi ladder on the back of mine...:clap2:

StrutWise sells,repairs,refurnbishes custom designs gas struts worldwide.

 

[white_n_slow]

No problems with Vato-zone struts on a wide variety of vehicles. When I start to get the "wont stay up in winter" problem, I just replace one strut and I've never found a need to replace the other.

Call me cheap.

 

[acr_ted]

Here are the ones I used:

Amazon.com: Qty (2) Toyota 4Runner 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Rear Hatch / Liftgate Lift Supports Struts Strong Arm 4286: Automotive

They fit and work perfectly - installed really quick and they do lift the tailgate all the way up with no problems.

The old ones (the original '97 ones) started getting weak in the bitter cold we had here in Phoenix last month (all the way down to freezing!!) so I shopped around and bought the ones from Amazon.

Like others have said, OEM only for important parts, but off-brand is fine for things like the lift gate pistons.

Ted

 

[packweco]

Just installed a pair of strongarm struts. $40/pair with free shipping from the ebay ad posted by [MENTION=104905]wake_rider[/MENTION] . Night and day difference. Today is a cold day and they go all the way to the top with gusto.