Gas Shocks

[oldmanolds]

Do any of you gear heads know who sells small diameter gas shocks? I need  a pair to hold up my deck lid.I've been all over town with the local parts people, and nobody comes close.Thinking maybe marine or camper parts supply.What I thought was going to be an easy fix has turned into a *' scavenger hunt.  oldmanolds

[enjenjo]

In their parts and accessory Catalog, NAPA has tool box lid struts. They carry two different lengths, and several weight ranges. They also have the studs for mounting the struts.  Depending on the deck lid, and strut mounting, 30 to 40 lb seem to be about right. Once you have the mounting figured out, use a fish scale to hold the deck lid open, and see how much weight there is on the scale. Divide the weight in half, that would be the strut you need. If the srut weight comes out say 35 lbs, use a 30 and a 40. And go up if its an odd number,

[Leon]

I would recommend that if you measured 35 pounds, I'd use 40 on each side.  Reason being is if a wind is trying to blow the lid down, the extra will help hold it up, plus I've had a few gas shocks that seem to "loose" some capacity with age, cold, etc.  The little extra capacity is not going to be a problem.

[enjenjo]

There is value in your tip Leon. It kind of depends on the deck lid, how heavy it is. It is suprising how much difference 10 lbs of force makes on a light deck lid.

[Leon]

That's very true.  The last lid I did was the hatch on my teardrop and because of its weight, the softer springs I got for it were enough to hold it open under most conditions but was subject to being blown down.  I had to go one step heavier because of it andf it has worked great since, but because of the size I also don't have to worry about a heavier spring bending the hatch.  I also had to put heavier units on the lid for my pickup because it doesn't want to stay up as well in cold weather, but again, that is a heavy item.

[Ed ke6bnl]

camping world, had a large supply of length and pressure, might check them out.  they do mail order. Ed ke6bnl

[Fuzzy]

My Dad lives in Illinois,and I saw a large selection at Blaine's Farm & Fleet,if there is one near you.

Fuzz