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Replacing Tail Gate Gas Struts
- Thread starter Olazz
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Andrew Prince
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Apparently you can get them refurbed by a specialist in gas struts - mostly seen this written up in SA (on LCCSA) so don't know where you'd start over here.
Don't know if the hassle of finding a specialist and getting the struts over to them would outweigh buying replacements from Toyota?
Don't know if the hassle of finding a specialist and getting the struts over to them would outweigh buying replacements from Toyota?
Gav Peter
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We've used a company called Gas Strut Engineering based in Bedfordshire in the past...
Sexy stainless steel struts mmmm
They were about the right size & fully adjustable at just under 50 quid each 
They might be able to assist...
Sexy stainless steel struts mmmm
They were about the right size & fully adjustable at just under 50 quid each They might be able to assist...
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Gav Peter
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Hey 'Lazz, good to hear 
I was about to post the link to the website but not necessary now
Did you go bling bling or did they have something more down to earth? We used the stainless ones as the equipment we were making went into a food production facility - they like their stainless steel in those places
Cheers
Gav
I was about to post the link to the website but not necessary now
Did you go bling bling or did they have something more down to earth? We used the stainless ones as the equipment we were making went into a food production facility - they like their stainless steel in those places
Cheers
Gav
Olazz
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Gav,Gav Peter said:
Not sure what they will fabricate for me yet. I've had to send them the strut, as the OEM strut is riveted to its mounting brackets, top and bottom.
They said they would look at it a make a heavier duty pair and reuse the existing brackets!
The charge for this excellent service... £30 each!
Will post pic when I get them back.
Olazz
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Picking up this thread again.
Having originally spoken at length to GSE ( thanks Gav for the tip ), I held fire on getting replacements as I wasn't totally happy with the "OPEN" height of the tailgate with the OEM struts, and I thought that a simple replacement wouldn't quite achieve what I wanted.
Having removed both of the struts ( I hadn't appreciated how heavy the tailgate actually is ), it is able to open much higher than the struts allow, as the door hinges do not "lock-out". This got me thinking.
I did quite a bit of playing about and measuring with the RTT on the rack, to get an idea of what would work; when in use, the RTT cover unzips and lays on top of the tailgate in its open position. One of the minor irritations, besides the poor opening, was that if the RTT was open and the tailgate was up, the extra weight of the tent cover caused the gate to sag/close slowly, with the inevitable need to constantly push the gate back up.
The old OEM struts were measured and are charged at 300n (i.e. able to exert 67 ftlbs force) They cannot be recharged as they can't be taken apart. Rather than just increasing pressure, I decided to get slightly longer struts; this will allow the gate to open a little higher. The new struts will be charged to initially 400n, (90 ftlbs). This should be enough as it's an increase from 600n to 800n combined. However as the new struts can be dismantled, they can be charged to up to 600n (135ftlbs) if necessary
GSE, have been really amazing in dealing with this for me. They have taken the original struts, have drilled out the OEM brackets and fitted them (with new hardware) to the new struts. For such a small job they couldn't had been more accommodating and helpful... what a refreshing change to deal with a business with that attitude.
I will collect the new struts tomorrow and post pics of them against the OEM version, and the height of the gate when open.
Will keep you posted and hope that my decision to go for longer struts doesn't backfire and I end up with them not fitting, unable to close the gate or it opens too far and high!
Having originally spoken at length to GSE ( thanks Gav for the tip ), I held fire on getting replacements as I wasn't totally happy with the "OPEN" height of the tailgate with the OEM struts, and I thought that a simple replacement wouldn't quite achieve what I wanted.
Having removed both of the struts ( I hadn't appreciated how heavy the tailgate actually is ), it is able to open much higher than the struts allow, as the door hinges do not "lock-out". This got me thinking.
I did quite a bit of playing about and measuring with the RTT on the rack, to get an idea of what would work; when in use, the RTT cover unzips and lays on top of the tailgate in its open position. One of the minor irritations, besides the poor opening, was that if the RTT was open and the tailgate was up, the extra weight of the tent cover caused the gate to sag/close slowly, with the inevitable need to constantly push the gate back up.
The old OEM struts were measured and are charged at 300n (i.e. able to exert 67 ftlbs force) They cannot be recharged as they can't be taken apart. Rather than just increasing pressure, I decided to get slightly longer struts; this will allow the gate to open a little higher. The new struts will be charged to initially 400n, (90 ftlbs). This should be enough as it's an increase from 600n to 800n combined. However as the new struts can be dismantled, they can be charged to up to 600n (135ftlbs) if necessary
GSE, have been really amazing in dealing with this for me. They have taken the original struts, have drilled out the OEM brackets and fitted them (with new hardware) to the new struts. For such a small job they couldn't had been more accommodating and helpful... what a refreshing change to deal with a business with that attitude.
I will collect the new struts tomorrow and post pics of them against the OEM version, and the height of the gate when open.
Will keep you posted and hope that my decision to go for longer struts doesn't backfire and I end up with them not fitting, unable to close the gate or it opens too far and high!
Olazz
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Re: Replacing Tail Gate Gas Struts... Results
Ok here are the pics of the new struts showing the new fixing hardware to the OEM brackets
Here is the final position of the tail gate which now opens higher than standard
Click the pic below to see video of the tailgate opening.... now non-stop; no more banging my head
GSE of Bedford were absolutely outstanding with service. I couldn't get there yesterday before they closed, and they don't open on Sat. So they wrapped the package up and placed it behind one of their security gates for me to collect after hours.
I eventiually got there about 9pm; I parked at their front gates and walked into the main yard to find package hidden behind the main security gate as promised. On my way back to the car, Police screeched to a stop, trained their spotlight on me and jumped out to apprehend me! Luckily GSE had put my name on the package and I had ID. Despite the hassle, and their disappointment that I wasn't a burglar, it was first class policing by the plod !
Very pleased indeed am I
Ok here are the pics of the new struts showing the new fixing hardware to the OEM brackets
Here is the final position of the tail gate which now opens higher than standard
Click the pic below to see video of the tailgate opening.... now non-stop; no more banging my head
GSE of Bedford were absolutely outstanding with service. I couldn't get there yesterday before they closed, and they don't open on Sat. So they wrapped the package up and placed it behind one of their security gates for me to collect after hours.
I eventiually got there about 9pm; I parked at their front gates and walked into the main yard to find package hidden behind the main security gate as promised. On my way back to the car, Police screeched to a stop, trained their spotlight on me and jumped out to apprehend me! Luckily GSE had put my name on the package and I had ID. Despite the hassle, and their disappointment that I wasn't a burglar, it was first class policing by the plod !
Very pleased indeed am I
Nice going there Lazz. Bonnet next?
I found that when I had my tailgate up in heavy rain that water was finding its way into the seal near the hinge and was dripping down on me from the inside. Basically the back glass filled up like a paddling pool. If yours goes slightly over centre is there a chance that water might come over the back into the load area? OK easy answer don't leave it open in the rain - but it's a cracking place to sit when it's pouring.
Chris
I found that when I had my tailgate up in heavy rain that water was finding its way into the seal near the hinge and was dripping down on me from the inside. Basically the back glass filled up like a paddling pool. If yours goes slightly over centre is there a chance that water might come over the back into the load area? OK easy answer don't leave it open in the rain - but it's a cracking place to sit when it's pouring.
Chris
Matt Wright
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Looks very slick as well as being functional. And totally know what you mean about the RTT cover weighing the back done!
Nicely done
Nicely done
Olazz
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SimonD said:what is the name of the guy you were dealing with? i think he may be getting some more orders from the club
Speak to Mike at GSE 01234 221430.
He's kept the specs of mine as I told him more may come. If you ask for the same as mine, he will know exactly what's required and the measurements.
You'll have to send your OEM struts to them to keep the brackets.
warrenpfo
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To add to the topic. I just purchased some rear struts off eBay and have been impressed.
Came quick and well packaged
Fitted just one and compared the two
OEM has the silver sticker on it and the new one is slightly longer but only just.
The ends on the OEM are very loose with worn plastic bushes/spacers and I can compress them with ease. The new ones are bloody hard to even slightly compress.
On removing just one the tailgate wanted to just drop but on installing just one of the new ones it held the tailgate all on its own open.
Only time will tell but at £19 for the pair delivered from China I can't complain.
Bought here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171631866698?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Came quick and well packaged
Fitted just one and compared the two
OEM has the silver sticker on it and the new one is slightly longer but only just.
The ends on the OEM are very loose with worn plastic bushes/spacers and I can compress them with ease. The new ones are bloody hard to even slightly compress.
On removing just one the tailgate wanted to just drop but on installing just one of the new ones it held the tailgate all on its own open.
Only time will tell but at £19 for the pair delivered from China I can't complain.
Bought here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171631866698?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
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I've had a pair of these on for about a year now after nearly knocking myself senseless Christmas Eve 2013. They are far stronger and take a bit of pulling down but have remained good so far one year on. The only thing I have noticed is that a bit of rust has found them and they are a bit thinner but otherwise well pleased with them. No more headaches!! [emoji37][emoji4]
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