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<blockquote data-quote="musicman" data-source="post: 350531" data-attributes="member: 13889">@bigredxlt:Sure, I will post some closeup pictures. Several things to remember when applying gas struts. 1) Gas struts are available very inexpensively on ebay.&nbsp; I paid only $25 for the two 80 lb, 28&quot; stroke struts I used.2) Geometry and trigonometry definitely come into play.&nbsp; You want the strut pushing slightly downward and not completely compressed when the hatch is down.&nbsp;&nbsp; Ideally, you want to be nearly fully extended and close to 90 degrees from the open hatch angle when fully open. 3) size strut strength rating 10-15 lb more than you need to support the weight.&nbsp; That ensures the hatch stays up,&nbsp; but it doesn&#039;t take too much pressure to close.&nbsp;&nbsp; Once you start it down,&nbsp; the struts will close it and keep it closed. 4) Be sure to use trig to calc actual force required in the strut. Remember,&nbsp; it takes more force in the strut to lift it it isn&#039;t pushing vertically.&nbsp;&nbsp; Also remember that you aren&#039;t lifting the whole hatch,&nbsp; part of the weight is supported on the pivot point (hinge).</blockquote>

[QUOTE="musicman, post: 350531, member: 13889"] @bigredxlt: Sure, I will post some closeup pictures. Several things to remember when applying gas struts. 1) Gas struts are available very inexpensively on ebay. I paid only $25 for the two 80 lb, 28" stroke struts I used. 2) Geometry and trigonometry definitely come into play. You want the strut pushing slightly downward and not completely compressed when the hatch is down. Ideally, you want to be nearly fully extended and close to 90 degrees from the open hatch angle when fully open. 3) size strut strength rating 10-15 lb more than you need to support the weight. That ensures the hatch stays up, but it doesn't take too much pressure to close. Once you start it down, the struts will close it and keep it closed. 4) Be sure to use trig to calc actual force required in the strut. Remember, it takes more force in the strut to lift it it isn't pushing vertically. Also remember that you aren't lifting the whole hatch, part of the weight is supported on the pivot point (hinge). [/QUOTE]

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