Gas shocks for rear hatch?

[Rock_Toy]

As some of you already know, the rear hatch actuator just went out on my 96 Super Sport. From what I have hard and seen, this is fairly common and most people don't bother replacing it due to the cost. Well, I have been thinking about it and my brother in law came up with a good idea. What if I was to replace the actuator with two gas shocks (one on each side)? Has anyone done this? If so, where did the you get the shocks?

[SquamInboards]

RE: Gas shocks for rear hatch?

There has been one on ebay that comes up from time to time. He might of sold it but I'd keep my eyes open. As far as the gas shocks, they would probably work fine. An obvious pro to the gas shocks is no more issues jumping the battery if it dies. An obvious con on the other hand is you have to put a handle on the nice clean deck back there.

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Gas shocks for rear hatch?

Napa or Mcmaster Carr supply

[Andrew]

RE: Gas shocks for rear hatch?

has anyone ever seen a heavy duty "push latch" u know the kind on the glass doors of a tv stand or stereo cabinet? not the magnetic ones (although they might work) but one of the mechanical ones....... if such a thing exists, then that would be ideal for this application.... that way u don't have to "ugly things up" with a handle.

if ur handy with fiberglass though, u could just cut out a notch and mold in a recess so that u can get ur hand underneath the deck....

[Rock_Toy]

Actually, there is no need for a pull strap or anything. Right now, I don't have the actuator in and its easy to just grab the hatch and lift it. There is actually enough space between the hatch and the deck to easily get my man paws in there and pull up on it. I am more concerned about finding shocks big enough to support the weight.

[Andrew]

any shocks for a full size suv rear hatch should do just fine....

[SquamInboards]

Make sure they are long enough though. I'd hold your hatch up to the height you want it when open and measure to the floor from there. The lower on the hatch you place the shocks the stronger they will need to be. The shorter the shocks, the more weight they will need to support supposing you are mounting close to the hinges.