Rear Hatch Support Arms: 2 Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blazerslave · 08-22-2004, 09:50 PM

1) Has anyone replaced the support arms on their hatch door with hydraulic ones? The original arms are pretty clunky and ugly . . . is there a better system for holding the hatch up?

Just in case . . . No! Sticks don't count!

2) If I end up using the original supports, can they be refurbished? Can they be disassembled and powder coated or chromed easily? What did they look like new? Mine look kinda dull gray.

HELP!

LUV2XCLR8 · 08-22-2004, 09:55 PM

WTF IS UP WITH YOUR SIG, I THOUGHT THE JAPS DID THAT

72BLAZERDUDE · 08-22-2004, 09:57 PM

I have thought about doing that to. Not sure if they will fit within the space or allow the hatch to go up far enough. If you have any good ideas let me know maybe we can brain storm together. I work at NAPA and if we can come up with a size that works I can probably get some to try.

blazerslave · 08-22-2004, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

WTF IS UP WITH YOUR SIG, I THOUGHT THE JAPS DID THAT

Dude,

Bluto Blutarsky . . . "Animal House" . . . it's in the speech he gives before they ruin the homecoming parade. Arcane reference. Sorry.

LUV2XCLR8 · 08-22-2004, 10:05 PM

O I C, KINDA LIKE "WHO SAID THIS", GOTCH BRO, WASN'T UPSET, JUST

blazerslave · 08-22-2004, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72BLAZERDUDE

I have thought about doing that to. Not sure if they will fit within the space or allow the hatch to go up far enough. If you have any good ideas let me know maybe we can brain storm together. I work at NAPA and if we can come up with a size that works I can probably get some to try.

I haven't really done any mearurements . . . given that the supports are fairly flat, I'm not sure if anything will work, but maybe some more research is in order. There must be something that can be done. Mine get stuck and I have to use my key to set it free.

blazerslave · 08-22-2004, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

O I C, KINDA LIKE "WHO SAID THIS", GOTCH BRO, WASN'T UPSET, JUST

No worries . . . it's a funny flick . . . check it out if you haven't seen it!

NuBomb · 08-22-2004, 10:10 PM

A few years ago I talked to a guy who has a 71 Jimmy with those little shocks on his rear hatch. He couldn't remember what they were listed to fit. I know this doesn't help, but it does show it has been done. I'd take some measurements of opened and closed positions and check the book. The book for those shocks used to have pages in the back listing the closed and extended lengths. Please let us know what you find.

K5Hokie · 08-22-2004, 10:30 PM

Blazerslave, "Don't stop him now, he's on a roll"

Your right, a great movie, and I don't think the reference is very arcane,

, just think one day a whole generation will think the Germans did bomb Pearl Harbor.

bouncytruck · 08-22-2004, 11:12 PM

I'd think the rear hatch might be too heavy for the hydraulic deals, but I guess my wife's Explore has them and the rear hatch on that certainly isn't light!

Animal House - gotta love it. Belushi was hillarious - many lines from that movie were quoted during my college career.

72BLAZERDUDE · 08-23-2004, 12:45 AM

The weight is not an issue. It is the length and the mounting points. We need some that will be able to push the door all the way up yet compress down pretty small. While my door is off I wil have to do some measurements on the supports and see if can come up with some possibilities. I will keep you posted.

blazerslave · 08-23-2004, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72BLAZERDUDE

The weight is not an issue. It is the length and the mounting points. We need some that will be able to push the door all the way up yet compress down pretty small. While my door is off I wil have to do some measurements on the supports and see if can come up with some possibilities. I will keep you posted.

Sweet! If we can make this happen I will be one happy camper!

Huck · 08-23-2004, 07:38 AM

One other though---and I like the idea of going to gas shocks---if we replace the metal ones, you will have to think through the mounting especially on the hatch itself as sections of it have metal backing reinforcement and others don't. If you simply try to attach a bracket to the 30 year old fiberglass, it will probably push through pretty quick. Didn't someone out west do a construct on one of those refab hatches? Perhaps he can tell us where the originals have reinforcement metal backing. Either that or we may need to make a hatch mounted bracket that is about a foot long--not really a big deal but I would hate to see someone puncture their good hatch with a gas shock unnecessarly. I think the top itself has sufficient meat to handle a gas shock mount without too much difficulty. thoughts____?

08-22-2004, 09:50 PM	#1
blazerslave Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Valencia, CA Posts: 96	Rear Hatch Support Arms: 2 Questions 1) Has anyone replaced the support arms on their hatch door with hydraulic ones? The original arms are pretty clunky and ugly . . . is there a better system for holding the hatch up? Just in case . . . No! Sticks don't count! 2) If I end up using the original supports, can they be refurbished? Can they be disassembled and powder coated or chromed easily? What did they look like new? Mine look kinda dull gray. HELP! __________________ "If you choose not to decide . . . you still have made a choice."

08-22-2004, 09:55 PM	#2
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	WTF IS UP WITH YOUR SIG, I THOUGHT THE JAPS DID THAT __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

08-22-2004, 09:57 PM	#3
72BLAZERDUDE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: WATAUGA,TX Posts: 660	I have thought about doing that to. Not sure if they will fit within the space or allow the hatch to go up far enough. If you have any good ideas let me know maybe we can brain storm together. I work at NAPA and if we can come up with a size that works I can probably get some to try. __________________ 72 2wd 307/AT/AC/TILT WHEEL 78 JIMMY HIGH SIERRA

08-22-2004, 10:05 PM	#5
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	O I C, KINDA LIKE "WHO SAID THIS", GOTCH BRO, WASN'T UPSET, JUST __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

08-22-2004, 10:10 PM	#8
NuBomb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canton, Georgia, USA Posts: 1,119	A few years ago I talked to a guy who has a 71 Jimmy with those little shocks on his rear hatch. He couldn't remember what they were listed to fit. I know this doesn't help, but it does show it has been done. I'd take some measurements of opened and closed positions and check the book. The book for those shocks used to have pages in the back listing the closed and extended lengths. Please let us know what you find. __________________ Jeremy (NUBOMB) 72K5 CST 350/350/205 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton North Georgia Group "... And the first rule to being a man is you gotta spend your life doing crap you don't wanna do." Red Forman.

08-22-2004, 10:30 PM	#9
K5Hokie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ararat, VA Posts: 77	Blazerslave, "Don't stop him now, he's on a roll" Your right, a great movie, and I don't think the reference is very arcane, , just think one day a whole generation will think the Germans did bomb Pearl Harbor.

08-22-2004, 11:12 PM	#10
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	I'd think the rear hatch might be too heavy for the hydraulic deals, but I guess my wife's Explore has them and the rear hatch on that certainly isn't light! Animal House - gotta love it. Belushi was hillarious - many lines from that movie were quoted during my college career. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

08-23-2004, 12:45 AM	#11
72BLAZERDUDE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: WATAUGA,TX Posts: 660	The weight is not an issue. It is the length and the mounting points. We need some that will be able to push the door all the way up yet compress down pretty small. While my door is off I wil have to do some measurements on the supports and see if can come up with some possibilities. I will keep you posted. __________________ 72 2wd 307/AT/AC/TILT WHEEL 78 JIMMY HIGH SIERRA

08-23-2004, 07:38 AM	#13
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	One other though---and I like the idea of going to gas shocks---if we replace the metal ones, you will have to think through the mounting especially on the hatch itself as sections of it have metal backing reinforcement and others don't. If you simply try to attach a bracket to the 30 year old fiberglass, it will probably push through pretty quick. Didn't someone out west do a construct on one of those refab hatches? Perhaps he can tell us where the originals have reinforcement metal backing. Either that or we may need to make a hatch mounted bracket that is about a foot long--not really a big deal but I would hate to see someone puncture their good hatch with a gas shock unnecessarly. I think the top itself has sufficient meat to handle a gas shock mount without too much difficulty. thoughts____?



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