Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:50:30 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Weird Hatch Struts? Hatch strut options!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
When you need something special leave it to McMaster Carr to help.
Start out here. http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/118/1202/=h5y7t8
9416K195 is a very good strut to begin with. 2 of these lifts the hatch with
ease and the length is perfect. Yes you do need to get ends. The ball socket
end from the factory strut screws right on. You can get the screw on eyelets
9416K84.
From the specs on these struts you can find the same lengths in different
weight ratings. Although a little bit shorter there are some very high
capacities available here.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Craig Cowan
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 1:29 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Weird Hatch Struts?
I have a Gary lee ladder, hi lift, 29" spare tire and steel rim, Jerry can,
shovel, and horse skull on the back of my bus. It"s heavy!
Currently with two good strong shocks, I can lift the hatch and it will stay
open I the spare tire is off. With the tire on, no hope.
My plan is stronger shocks. I've found some twice as strong as the strong
ones sold for a Vanagon, and I hope they'll work out well for me. They may
require modifications but noticing extreme. I'll keep everyone posted.
My real solution is to have a reliable engine and not have to open the hatch
often as a result.
-craig
On Apr 18, 2012, at 1:14 PM, Robert Stevens <mtbiker62@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> On Apr 18, 2012, at 10:53 AM, Loren Busch wrote:
>
>>> When my struts were getting weak I thought about that fix, it has
>>> been done in PVC. Then someone mentioned 'forgetting' the lock was
>>> installed and bending something trying to close the hatch.
>>>
>>
>> That thought crossed my mind when I installed the PVC but over the
>> years it hasn't been a problem for me or for anyone working on my
>> Vanagon. You would have to really put some weight on the hatch to bend
anything.
>
> That context/result is impossible for me to imagine, based on experience.
>
> I have a bike rack/gas can, bike on the rack, and prop the hatch up
> often when I'm out on the road, and have never had any problems with
> anything breaking/bending/etc. I do have a mechanic's strut clamp as a
> back up, that I place on the other strut sometimes, just to be sure I
> don't get clobbered by a falling hatch, which has not happened.
>
> bob
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