My hatch opens really really slowly and doesn't go all the way up unless I give it a little help. I'm almost sure the reasn is that I've added some dynamat to it. Are there any beefier hydraulics out there that do the job? I really don't want to take the dynamat off, I like how my gate doesn't rattle. TIA

 

Sounds like a common problem and one that I have, too. I'll be watching this thread. Thanks for asking before I did!

 

hey no problem rick...my gate is also getting more difficult to open. As if the latching is getting stuck. Anyway, I was thinking what if I were to swap in some Land Cruiser parts in there or something designed to lift more weight.

 

Chances are that your struts are just worn out. I'm willing to be that some new OEM (or similar) struts will do the trick!

 

Yeah it is definately the struts, mine does the same thing but the OEMs were very expensive.
Anyone find a cheaper alternative to the dealer for these?

 

Funny thing is that I work for a Land Rover dealer here in Indianapolis. The same dealer owns a toyota store...so I can get them at cost. I still think it's gonna be expensive

 

Ok, I just checked and Autozone has them for 29 bucks a pop (generic), 1sttoyotaparts has them for 110 each (OEM), and I'm getting a Sachs hydraulic strut pricing checked out.

 

Also..It might be fun to check with Jason B. I wonder if he has these?

 

Don't bother with the parts store ones. I got a pair from HiLo and the were weaker than the 8 year old factory ones.

 

It's funny you mentioned that. This is one of my future project ideas. A new strut setup that will open the hatch with much more force, and cost half the price of the Toyota struts. I haven't attempted this project and am still fiddling with the hood shocks so you can get rid of your prop.

 

Dammit. I wish I would've read this earlier. I just bought a pair from Autozone. I hope they have a good return policy...

 

It's the dynamat that did mine in. I am sick of hitting my head on the hatch now. I posted in the want ads in an old thread for some. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47978

I probably have 25 pounds or more of sound deadening material on the rear hatch.

 

Not to hijack this thread, but here goes....

Does anyone know of part numbers for longer stuts? I'm 6'3" and my gate only opens to about 5'11". Mine lift with plenty of force for now, but I really need to heighten the door.
However, I'm not sure that the current hinge configuration will allow this. Has anyone tried this before???

 

I know....Just get a 3-4" lift,
Problem Solved

 

I'm guessing it would. Why don't you disconnect the top section of each strut and see how much further it will go?

 

Have the struts rebuilt. Far cheaper than new OEMs.
www.strutwise.com

 

I'm 6'3" as well and am sick of hitting my head...

 

thanks for the link. I'm gonna give them a call today and see what they can do for me

 

just got off the phone with Frank from strutwise. They are going to rebuild the ones I have for 60 bucks plus shipping. He said that they will be stronger than the OEM ones.

 

I had a friend that had checker struts put and and he has nothad any problems with them being weak. So I dunno........