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My 2001 Limited 4x had rear hatch struts that went kaput. You had to manually heft the hatch up and hold it there.
I had shoulder issues (still do, in PT) completely unrelated to this, but I used it as an excuse to fix the struts to my wife. I read around here, and found out that my hatch would open more than it had when the struts were new. OK. So I ordered:
Code:
Lou Fishman
Lift Supports Depot.Com
A Division of Mr. Lou's Stuff LLC
P.O. Box 130998
Carlsbad Ca. 92013-0998
fax | 1.760.431.9814
e | Lou@liftsupportsdepot.com
w | liftsupportsdepot.com
Name Code Qty Each Options
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lift Supports 6421/48154 48154 2 22.05
(Shipped)
Subtotal 44.10
Coupon discount (nye2012) -5.29
Subtotal 38.81
Shipping 9.88
Tax 0.00
Total 48.69
...after reading recommendations about the 2x2 being 2" higher, etc. So I wait, and they arrive. Small triangular box, each wrapped in plastic individually. So off I go to a friend's to "slap these babies in", I think I said.
We rig a piece of 2x4 to hold the door open and remote the driver's side. Comes off really easily. But as we go to do the passenger side, I said something stupid like "Don't you think we should keep it on, just in case there is an issue?".
So we take out a new one, block the door wide open with a 2x4, and guess what-the new ones don't fit! They are too long! OK. So I say something equally stupid, like "All we need to do is compress these a little, and they will snap right on". Well, the result of literally 2 hours of ingenuity and web searching is that you cannot compress these babies. So we're screwed. We cannot compress the new strut enough to get it into the snaps/attachment points on the truck.
So I FINALLY say something smart: "Do you think having the old strut on there is keeping the door from opening further?". The struts were installed in less than 60 seconds after the remaining old, short strut was removed.
So there is a moral to the story somewhere in there, but the good news is that the door opens so much now that I have to reach WAY up to grab the handle in order to bring it down-and I'm a solid 6'01" tall!
Thanks to everyone for the recommendation to/for Lou's, and the exact part you all specified (above) worked fantastic (as soon as I removed the old ones...)
At least you spent some time with your friend .....good time to catch up and kill a few beers !
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2000 Excursion, 7.3L, 315 General AT2, super chips 1705,EGT/boost/ trans temp. 4" lift, F250 Rough Country, Redhead, 2.5" front leveling springs, 2" rear F250 add a leaf
1988 Bronco 4.9L, I6, 5spd, 33" BFG A/T's Redhead..for the fire trails, Yes the 33's rub on tight turns.
1985 Bronco 4.9L I6 4spd....will be ready for the trails this spring
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Sean
2000 Excursion XLT V10 4x4 170K, front V's, rear mod'd C's,, 315's, winch bumpers F/R, Viair system, Piaa lighting, Hellwig rear, dual Optimas, oily K&N, RedHeaded, scratchy paint, love taps at each corner. Join the So Cal chapter here
It was too late to start drinking that night, as someone (who shall remain nameless) had us beating our heads against the wall trying to figure out the hardest way to do a 2 minute job...
...i did that to but i only spent 5 min trying to compress them lol
We had all manner of belts, tie wraps, tape, bolts, clamps, both of us holding it, you name it-we tried it. All the time searching the Internet, wondering why everyone else seemed to have no problems!
Welcome Pat and thanks for sharing. I think we all have a moment like that somewhere in life. Sounds like you weren't really buying struts but a few uninterrupted hours with a friend.
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2004 Excursion XLT, 4X4, V10, 3.73 - pulling a 30' Hornet Travel Trailer 154,000 mi - 09/2010 - new to me 163,500 mi - 02/2012 174,000 mi - 4/2013
Welcome Pat and thanks for sharing. I think we all have a moment like that somewhere in life. Sounds like you weren't really buying struts but a few uninterrupted hours with a friend.
^^^BINGO^^^^
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogus Exception
We had all manner of belts, tie wraps, tape, bolts, clamps, both of us holding it, you name it-we tried it. All the time searching the Internet, wondering why everyone else seemed to have no problems!
Oh, and thanks for not making me feel any more embarrassed!
I ordered the same struts from the same place, the part number on the bag matches, but my hatch wont close. The struts are too long! And not by a little, by a lot. Can you measure the body of the strut, and let me know how long yours are? I would really appreciate it. From the very top to the end of the barrel would be great.
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2001 Excursion Limited, 4x4 V10, Dynomax Xtreme muffler, 33x12.5 DC FCII's on 17x10 rims, Blacked out badges and grill. Custom audio 2x Audison LRx5.1k amps, 2x Hertz Mille MLK 2, 2 18W3s
Dual Marine DC 180 batteries with an isolator, 1500 watt Tripplite UPS inverter
I ordered the same struts from the same place, the part number on the bag matches, but my hatch wont close. The struts are too long! And not by a little, by a lot. Can you measure the body of the strut, and let me know how long yours are? I would really appreciate it. From the very top to the end of the barrel would be great.
@StupidLoud,
Sure thing. One question, though, do you have a 4x4 or 4x2? Believe it or not the doors aren't the same (for some stupid reason). Off the top of my head I think the ones that came out were 14's, and the new ones were 16's-but don't take any stock in that. If Lou won't tell you, I'll get out there soon and measure.
I would have rather gone your route than the way I did....let me just say I had a bump on the top of my head for a good 10 days from the hatch, and I am lucky I didn't knock myself out cold.
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Funny hatch strut story...
