Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2017 22:00:59 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Hatchback struts
In-Reply-To: <CAJbRvRM-mfu-ZovdSZyvuahn3fYqTFtiyQL9-cO=7DP1yB4faw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
This is great info james, thanks very much for posting.
Just to be clear, when ordering you specify the ball and clevis end set up?
Cheers
Alistair
> On Apr 9, 2017, at 9:44 PM, James Vogl <jamesvogl@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I just installed a set of 250lb force struts from LiftSupportsDepot. Lou seems to be the owner and is fairly responsive via email. 250lbs seems to be about the max force they carry that will fit the Vanagon. (but perhaps he can get you something custom). The higher pressure factory strut I believe to be 140lbs. The heavy duty struts from GoWesty are 150lbs. Here's what I bought:
>
> Part #: ST200M1-250
> Force: 250lbs
> Extended length: 20"
> Compressed length: 12"
> Body connector: 10mm ball socket cup
> Shaft connector: 8mm eyelet hole
> Total cost: $60 w/ CA tax, free shipping
>
> These are nice beefy struts, with larger diameter body/shaft. They come standard w/ steel ball/socket ends on both sides, which are different than factory, but work fine for the ball side. You have to specify an eyelet for the shaft side (no extra charge).
>
> So, these *just* support my loaded (more on that below) hatch in the fully open position. It takes just a small amount of pressure to pull the hatch down from there, and it will not stay open at any in-between position. Overall, though, I'm super pleased. I can actually open the hatch now with all my crap on it, whereas before I had to remove everything!
>
> Still, I'd be nervous bent over the engine, so I'm thinking I'll use some sort of slip-over safety stop, like the tube-over-the-strut method. (These struts are larger in diameter, though, so the 3/4" PVC I was using on the stock struts won't fit. And a larger 1" PVC has too large an O.D. to fit in the channel when closed.) I was thinking a thinner-walled metal tube instead. Or...?
>
> With everything removed from the rack (but rack still attached), it does take some effort to close the hatch, but it's certainly do-able for someone of moderate strength/weight (I'm a small guy). Others may have more difficulty. In this config, the hatch will *just* stay open with only one of the 250lb struts installed. So, for the majority of the time that I don't have a full load, I may swap back one of my old stock struts on one side, for a happy medium.
>
> Back to my full load:
> 1 Gary Lee custom Multi Purpose Rack: ~30lbs (? - just a guess, don't wan to take it off to weigh it)
> 2 Yakima Boa Mounts + fork mounts: ~8lbs (?)
> 1 Scepter gas can + mount + 3 gallons gas: 30 lbs
> 2 bikes: 45 lbs
> 2 tie dow straps: ~2lbs
> Total: ~115lbs
>
> Removing the stuts, then supporting the hatch vertically with 2x4 at the strut connection point, the weight supported by the 2x4 is ~230lbs. So in my case, the total strut force to hatch weight ratio is about 2.2:1. This would vary depending how the load is dispersed.
>
> Pics: https://goo.gl/photos/hLRmCUX2ysAouMHD6
>
> James V
> 86 Syncro Westy
>
>
>> On Tue, Mar 28, 2017 at 9:05 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> My friend Simon bought some 1250 N struts from Germany for the similar reason. They're great, lifts his spare tire rack and bike rack ( with tire and bike) that I made for him.
>>
>> Without anything on the hatch it's hard to close.
>>
>> Unfortunately the German source has dried up, but I mention it so you will know that 1250N is strong enough for a good load on hatch.
>>
>> Oh, and before anyone asks, it's been almost three years now with the struts and no adverse effect noted on the hatch.
>>
>> I've been looking for similar struts but not found any yet.
>>
>> Alistair
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Mar 28, 2017, at 7:24 PM, Roman Haag <romanhaag@YMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> >
>> > I recently got a Gary Lee multipurpose rack, which has my spare, a gas can, and a hi-lift jack on it.
>> >
>> > I need some stronger struts and am having a hard time finding info about them. Does anyone hear have any experience with them and could possibly recommend me some?
>> >
>> > All of the GoWesty/Bus Depot ones sound good, but they don't really give nay specific information.
>> >
>> > I've found these but I'm not even sure they'll fit. I know the Vanagon ones compress to 11.75", as well.
>> > http://www.siraweb.com/gas-prop-c16-23835
>> >
>> > Any help is appreciated. I'd hate to be the guy responsible for our local Vdub mechanic getting hurt by a hatchback ;)
>> >
>> > Roman
>
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