Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2017 12:58:24 -0400
Reply-To: Roman Haag <romanhaag@YMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roman Haag <romanhaag@YMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Hatchback struts
In-Reply-To: <CAJbRvRMGZKpR5Tqu+yODCubKX6EOMxOfQUqsThkk_Fs_UOZjtA@mail.gmail.com>
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James, they haven't given me any links or other info. All mine is second hand through a salesman.
Had some unexpected expenses this month so I may not get these as soon as I would like. But I'll definitely share.
Thanks for your help. These specifics are really what I have been looking for.
I think I'll weigh it today the way you (?) mentioned...with a 2x4 and s bathroom scale.
I'm interested in this number. So far I've only been speculating. I may have more weight on mine than anyone who has contributed here :o
Roman
Sent from someone's plumbing
> On Apr 10, 2017, at 12:43, James Vogl <jamesvogl@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Roman – Yes, the stock struts probably compress a little shorter to ~11.75"
> or so. When I was searching the LiftSupportsDepot, I was looking in a range
> up to 12.25" compressed, which I think would fit. 12.5" might be too long.
> Extended length is less critical, since it just determines how high the
> hatch open. I would think anywhere between 19"-21" would be fine.
>
> The strut body on the 250lb struts I bought have the same diameter as the
> one's you're considering of 22mm / ~.87 inches. These fit easily within the
> jam, and you might even be go up to ~1". The problem, in my case, was the
> outside diameter of the 1" PVC tube I was using was a bit too large
> (~1.3"?).
>
> I should mention that with the thicker 10mm shaft of the new struts, I adde
> a washer to push the eyelet/clevis side of the strut out from the mounting
> point (toward the center of the van) by a couple mm. This way, the shaft
> more easily clears the mounting area. Let us know how yours turn out.
> Maybe I missed it, by I didn't see which adjustable units you're
> considering.
>
> James V
> 86 Syncro Westy
>
>> On Mon, Apr 10, 2017 at 4:48 AM, Roman Haag <romanhaag@ymail.com> wrote:
>>
>> James, I just got word back that the adjustable struts are:
>> "The stroke diameter is 10mm and the cylinder diameter 22mm. "
>>
>> If my google-fu is correct that is nearly a 3/4" strut body. In your
>> experience do you think this will fit in the channel?
>>
>> Sent from someone's plumbing
>>
>>
>>> On Apr 10, 2017, at 02:02, James Vogl <jamesvogl@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>
>>> Glad it was helpful, Allistair. My guess is that there's a higher force
>>> option out there, and I know there are some fully-custom and reduceable
>>> force set-ups available, but at under 30 bucks each, these turned out to
>> be
>>> a nice option at a really good price.
>>>
>>> To clarify on the connector ends:
>>>
>>> The ones I bought come standard with steel 10mm ball cups at BOTH ends.
>>> (these are different than the nylon sockets/clips on the stock struts,
>> but
>>> they are compatible and recommended/required on 200lb+force struts).
>>> Anyway, since, this cup/socket works with the ball on the hatch side, you
>>> just have to have them change out the other end to fit over the "van"
>>> side's clevis/pin connection. So, I was instructed to state in the
>> comments
>>> section at checkout: "Please customize: Eyelet Hole=8mm for the shaft",
>> and
>>> voila. Lou also suggested that I shoot him an email about the
>> customization
>>> after the order, just to be sure. (just use the contact link on the
>> website)
>>>
>>> Again, here's the struts I bought
>>> https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/lift-supports-depot-
>> st200m1-250-gas-charged-lift-support-strut61083w/
>>>
>>> If you do a search on that site for STOCK Vanagon struts, you will see
>> the
>>> specs for the stock struts and you can compare.
>>> https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/shopby/1986/volkswagen/
>> vanagon/campmobile-van-camper-3door/
>>>
>>> Hope this helps. Let me know if I can answer any other questions.
>>>
>>> James V
>>> 86 Syncro Westy
>>>
>>>> On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 10:00 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> 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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