Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

Has anyone done it by piecing together the parts like the suburban guys do? I know the shocks for the suburban will be considerably longer, however the parts breakdown given in the thread in the suburban forum is no more than $50-$60. So I can't see paying 3X that for the Motor City K5 Kit being it looks like a couple of plates with ball studs and a couple of gas shocks. Just curious if anyone had done it themselves (by sourcing their own parts) with any success and obviously if you could provide some pointers or PN to shocks that would be needed. Thanks.

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

Subscribed

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

There is a company that makes a kit, I bought one but haven't had the time to put it on.

http://www.motorcityk5.com/i-13109-l...72-blazer.html

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

Right I have since ordered a set. Once I get it I'm going to try to figure it out. Because it is literally like $60 in parts that you pay $170 (shipping), there kit is nice because they powder coat and CNC the brackets which is probably what a large part of the price is. It's a nice kit but can very much be done on a DIY budget.

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

I think the install will literally take 20 minutes btw....free up a half hour and get r done haha

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

i question if the fragile hatch can hold up to the constant pressure of those?

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

Well I believe that's why the kit is designed with brackets to spread the load using both bolts as opposed to the suburban guys who just thread a studded ball right into the hatch/truck. The brackets distribute the pressure. Also I would think the pressure that is "constant" is only when it is down. I wouldn't try putting it all through one stud for sure. I was always planning on making a plate that bolted using both holes.

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

That kit is awesome, I hate my hatch struts

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

That could be... just looking at some modern hatch assemblies some shoot up as soon as you release the catch... thus they are prob under pressure all the time... where others take a little help to get started... and those most likely are not under constant pressure...

Just need to figure out which this is

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

Subscribed. I did the thread for the Suburban gas strut conversion, but now I have a Blazer. This could save me the research. :lol:

The LMC truck rep noticed my conversion at a show and asked me the details. They now sell the kit using my specs. I don't get a penny commission. haha.

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

eta: these are for subs.. sorry about that

just found this recently, video floating around that shows install..

$100 at brothers

https://www.brotherstrucks.com/67-72...tinfo/SLGK772/

good luck!

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

Debattista,. I did a conversion on mine
. I had to make steel plates that screwed into the holes that we're part of the top anchor for the struts. It works smooth and quiet. Just about done with my 72 Highlander plaid restoration. If I can figure out how to put pics on I will post some and the brackets. Glove

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

I noticed the kit Motor City K5 sells that's what they did also. I was going to make them but figured by the time I made it I would have thought I wasted more than $150 dollars of my time hahaha and I would have still had to buy the struts themselves.

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

Old thread, but has anyone ever came up with a good diy for this setup? thanks!

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

I measured and did the math but determined that given the geometry available and the gas struts available, the hatch won't open as high as it does with the factory struts.

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

how high is that? Given the lift on mine, maybe it's enough

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

old post alert

Has anybody found a DIY approach for this? Also - for those who have purchased the kit from MotorCityK5 - were there part numbers on the struts or can you share dimensions on them collapsed vs. extended?

Re: Rear Hatch Gas Shock Conversion??
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRWF1jhWct0

Brother's installation video