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:

...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...)

pat
:)

 

At least you spent some time with your friend .....good time to catch up and kill a few beers !

 

Indeed, the best part.

 

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...

pat

 

Pat,

Welcome to FTE - and thanks for posting your story.
Funny how sometimes we over think things.

 

bwaaahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahah 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!

Oh, and thanks for not making me feel any more embarrassed! :)

pat
:)

 

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^^^^



WELCOME

>
.

 

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.

pat
:)

 

Did the same thing until the light bulb went off!

 

A bad day/night working on your rig is better than a good day at work! Especially with buddies!

 

@fordboy67: Amen, Brother!

Speaking of Brothers, any Traveling Men with Ex's on this form?

 

Awesome story!

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.

The new struts are great, aren't they!