Gas struts for rear hatch? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gringoloco · 11-14-2006, 11:18 PM

Anyone done this? I will be doing it soon, just hoping someone else has done the leg work already(part numbers, fabrication, PICTURES)

Thanks -Chris

cstanley · 11-15-2006, 12:29 AM

i've been wondering about this...ttt for ya.

Huck · 11-15-2006, 09:48 AM

Someone on the board did this a while back--rather simple upgrade but you do need to fab a bit for the mounting to the hatch. Keep in mind that the hatch is not framed in metal--so when you consider it's mounting--you will need to make up some metal bracing on the sides, as this area is very prone to breakage. Also, hatches are all 30+ years old and the older fiberglass gets, the more brittle it gets~~~. Reinforce the mounts and you should be ok.

LUV2XCLR8 · 11-15-2006, 06:57 PM

And do not forget to post LOTS OF PIC's

**pound41** · 11-15-2006, 09:21 PM

Some had a great thread on this several months back. The issues are supporting the struts in the fiberglass and the fact that the hatch intrudes into the top. Not flat like modern hatches

johnnywagon · 11-15-2006, 09:21 PM

A good auto parts store (like mine) should be able to help with the struts. We stock "StongArm" brand and they have several universal applications in thier catalog - based on extended & compressed lenth & force (lbs). Almost all use ball socket ends and they also offer a ball socket parts kit. One style offers eyelets (.402 dia) at both ends. Hope this helps.

gringoloco · 11-15-2006, 10:33 PM

Thanks guys. I'll do some more research, and if feasible, pics will follow. -Chris

11-14-2006, 11:18 PM	#1
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,920	Gas struts for rear hatch? Anyone done this? I will be doing it soon, just hoping someone else has done the leg work already(part numbers, fabrication, PICTURES) Thanks -Chris __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy

11-15-2006, 12:29 AM	#2
cstanley Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,229	Re: Gas struts for rear hatch? i've been wondering about this...ttt for ya. __________________ "Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/

11-15-2006, 09:48 AM	#3
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Re: Gas struts for rear hatch? Someone on the board did this a while back--rather simple upgrade but you do need to fab a bit for the mounting to the hatch. Keep in mind that the hatch is not framed in metal--so when you consider it's mounting--you will need to make up some metal bracing on the sides, as this area is very prone to breakage. Also, hatches are all 30+ years old and the older fiberglass gets, the more brittle it gets~~~. Reinforce the mounts and you should be ok.

11-15-2006, 06:57 PM	#4
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	Re: Gas struts for rear hatch? And do not forget to post LOTS OF PIC's __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

11-15-2006, 09:21 PM	#5
pound41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,269	Re: Gas struts for rear hatch? Some had a great thread on this several months back. The issues are supporting the struts in the fiberglass and the fact that the hatch intrudes into the top. Not flat like modern hatches

11-15-2006, 09:21 PM	#6
johnnywagon Sofa King. We, Todd, Ed. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Spokane, Wa. Posts: 631	Re: Gas struts for rear hatch? A good auto parts store (like mine) should be able to help with the struts. We stock "StongArm" brand and they have several universal applications in thier catalog - based on extended & compressed lenth & force (lbs). Almost all use ball socket ends and they also offer a ball socket parts kit. One style offers eyelets (.402 dia) at both ends. Hope this helps. __________________ ~John 71 Blazer One Ton 65 Chevelle Station Wagon x2 59 Belair 2 Door 71 Chevy Open Road Van RV www.myspace.com/johnnywagon

11-15-2006, 10:33 PM	#7
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,920	Re: Gas struts for rear hatch? Thanks guys. I'll do some more research, and if feasible, pics will follow. -Chris __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy



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