What Goes Up.....

[Dirke]

Have you thought about going to the auto parts store to see if they have some different struts on hand that you could try? Once the hardware is on, it is an easy matter to replace struts. Of course if the first pair you try don't work, be careful not to scratch them when you take them off or they may want you to buy those too.

[Socal Tom]

OK, I think I have an idea. Place a bathroom scale on your counter ( level it first). Make a prop rod that will hold the hatch at the height you want it to be. Then Put the prop rod between the bathroom scale and the hatch, do your best to put the prop rod straight up. Now the weight on the prop rod ( as read by the scale) is basically the lift force you need. Do your best to mount the lift shock so it will be straight up an down when fully extended. If it has to be at a angle you at least know what the final upwards force needs to be.

Once you have the right lift force the rest should be reasonably straightforward.
Tom

So I used the bathroom scale trick on mine, it indicated 67.5lbs at about where I will be mounting my struts. I ordered a pair of 40# shocks, so we will see if I got it right or not.
Tom

[Socal Tom]

OK, I think I have an idea. Place a bathroom scale on your counter ( level it first). Make a prop rod that will hold the hatch at the height you want it to be. Then Put the prop rod between the bathroom scale and the hatch, do your best to put the prop rod straight up. Now the weight on the prop rod ( as read by the scale) is basically the lift force you need. Do your best to mount the lift shock so it will be straight up an down when fully extended. If it has to be at a angle you at least know what the final upwards force needs to be.

Once you have the right lift force the rest should be reasonably straightforward.
Tom

So I used the bathroom scale trick on mine, it indicated 67.5lbs at about where I will be mounting my struts. I ordered a pair of 40# shocks, so we will see if I got it right or not.
Tom

Well, it worked, but just barely. I had to mount them straight up and down. The bathroom scale bit will work, but I beleive it will only work for straight up and down mounting. If I had to do it again I would have made them 50# rather than 40# just to give me a little more wiggle room.