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[GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #194412]

Sun, 30 December 2012 21:35

larry erd

Messages: 132
Registered: August 2010

Karma: 0

Senior Member

I am installing gas struts on the rear hatchs and
am not sure where to mount them on the door frame.
this is a kit for the GMC but no mounting info was included.
I only want to drill the holes once in my new paint. Anyone
know the formula to mount struts?
Larry Erd
77 ex-kingsley
lake wales, fl.
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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #194413 is a reply to message #194412]

Sun, 30 December 2012 21:57

Billy Massey

Messages: 916
Registered: January 2004
Location: Central Texas

Karma: 1

Senior Member

http://www.bdub.net/doorlifts/index.html

hth
bdub

On Dec 30, 2012 9:35 PM, "Larry Erd" <1ljerd@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I am installing gas struts on the rear hatchs and
> am not sure where to mount them on the door frame.
> this is a kit for the GMC but no mounting info was included.
> I only want to drill the holes once in my new paint. Anyone
> know the formula to mount struts?
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bdub
bdub.net

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #194414 is a reply to message #194412]

Sun, 30 December 2012 22:00

Ken Henderson

Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA

Karma: 9

Senior Member

http://www.mcmaster.com/#about-gas-struts/=ktqd2e

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/u40-kenhenders.html

Ken H.

On Sun, Dec 30, 2012 at 10:35 PM, Larry Erd wrote:

> I am installing gas struts on the rear hatchs and
> am not sure where to mount them on the door frame.
> this is a kit for the GMC but no mounting info was included.
> I only want to drill the holes once in my new paint. Anyone
> know the formula to mount struts?
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #194419 is a reply to message #194412]

Sun, 30 December 2012 23:47

Mr ERFisher

Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005

Karma: 2

Senior Member

collection of
http://gmcmotorhome.info/generator.html#lift

gene

On Sun, Dec 30, 2012 at 7:35 PM, Larry Erd <1ljerd@gmail.com> wrote:

> I am installing gas struts on the rear hatchs and
> am not sure where to mount them on the door frame.
> this is a kit for the GMC but no mounting info was included.
> I only want to drill the holes once in my new paint. Anyone
> know the formula to mount struts?
> Larry Erd
> 77 ex-kingsley
> lake wales, fl.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>

--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
�Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #194919 is a reply to message #194412]

Sun, 06 January 2013 02:14

John Heslinga

Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Karma: 4

Senior Member

Larry:

When I installed my struts for the rear hatches, I was not happy with the stress of the gas struts on such a small and weak part of the hatch. Here is what I did to install the struts. It uses aluminium frames on the hatch that take the brunt of the stress and the door goes along for the ride.

Just one more idea for you to consider. Complete install documentation in the following photo Gallery.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/hatch-struts-install/p47065-rear-hatch-struts-24.html

Best regards

John and Cathie Heslinga 1974 Canyonlands 260 455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS, Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd. Edmonton, Alberta

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #194935 is a reply to message #194412]

Sun, 06 January 2013 09:54

GeorgeRud

Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL

Karma: 0

Senior Member

I would second the idea of spreading the load of the strut on the door mounting. Though I didn't reinforce the door as much as the pictures show, I think some reinforcement is prudent.

You may also consider trying just one strut to see if that isn't enough to hold the door up. There's not really all that much weight or stress once the door is open. I initially mounted two struts, but then ended taking one off with no obvious problems so far.

George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #194940 is a reply to message #194919]

Sun, 06 January 2013 11:58

powerjon

Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004

Karma: 5

Senior Member

John,
You are correct to do what you did, very nice job. I have see it done the other way with weak results.

On Jan 6, 2013, at 3:14 AM, John Heslinga <rbeeper@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> Larry:
>
> When I installed my struts for the rear hatches, I was not happy with the stress of the gas struts on such a small and weak part of the hatch. Here is what I did to install the struts. It uses aluminium frames on the hatch that take the brunt of the stress and the door goes along for the ride.
>
> Just one more idea for you to consider. Complete install documentation in the following photo Gallery.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/hatch-struts-install/p47065-rear-hatch-struts-24.html
>
> Best regards
>
> --
> John and Cathie Heslinga
> 1974 Canyonlands 260
> TC4W "Too Cool For Words"
> Retirement Projects Galore
> Edmonton, Alberta
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #195022 is a reply to message #194412]

Mon, 07 January 2013 02:18

John Heslinga

Messages: 632
Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Karma: 4

Senior Member

Some additional information on Hatch Lift Supports if you are interested. I just uploaded pictures of the lift support(strut) installation for the Utility Hatch that that I did.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/power-hatch-gas-strut/p47097-utility-hatch-strut-9.html

One of the best things about using these struts is: all of the hatches stay closed even if you forget to lock them. Not that I would do that always but I have made that mistake and was pleased to find the hatches performed extremely well!!!

Best regards

John and Cathie Heslinga 1974 Canyonlands 260 455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS, Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd. Edmonton, Alberta

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #195052 is a reply to message #195022]

Mon, 07 January 2013 11:51

Dan Borlase

Messages: 743
Registered: May 2008
Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Nicely done John...I have done something similar on my 26'...I have been aggravated with the inside cabinet doors (I'm 6'4") and am contemplating switching hinges to piano hinges and struts...problem is I dont know where to find them, nor do I know the size I should use...any one done this with inside cabinets before ??

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #195072 is a reply to message #195052]

Mon, 07 January 2013 14:15

Bruce Hart

Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming

Karma: 5

Senior Member

I don't know the size gas strut that you need but you can get them from
McMaster Carr.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-struts/=kxojsi

On Mon, Jan 7, 2013 at 10:51 AM, Dan Borlase <bord@shaw.ca> wrote:

>
>
> Nicely done John...I have done something similar on my 26'...I have been
> aggravated with the inside cabinet doors (I'm 6'4") and am contemplating
> switching hinges to piano hinges and struts...problem is I dont know where
> to find them, nor do I know the size I should use...any one done this with
> inside cabinets before ??
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
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Bruce Hart 1976 Palm Beach 1977 28' Kingsley La Grange, Wyoming

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #195076 is a reply to message #195072]

Mon, 07 January 2013 14:55

Mr ERFisher

Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005

Karma: 2

Senior Member

this is what I did for the electrical door
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g3506-electrical-access-door-closer.html

gene

On Mon, Jan 7, 2013 at 12:15 PM, Bruce Hart <hartsgmc@gmail.com> wrote:

> I don't know the size gas strut that you need but you can get them from
> McMaster Carr.
>
> <http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-struts/=kxojsi>
>
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
�Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #195088 is a reply to message #195052]

Mon, 07 January 2013 17:13

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Dan,

Check Ebay item 380542105674.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Borlase

Nicely done John...I have done something similar on my 26'...I have been aggravated with the inside cabinet doors (I'm 6'4") and am
contemplating switching hinges to piano hinges and struts...problem is I dont know where to find them, nor do I know the size I
should use...any one done this with inside cabinets before ??

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #195113 is a reply to message #195088]

Mon, 07 January 2013 22:46

Dan Borlase

Messages: 743
Registered: May 2008
Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Thanks Rob...looks like what I'm looking for.

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #195117 is a reply to message #195113]

Mon, 07 January 2013 23:36

USAussie

Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia

Karma: 6

Senior Member

Dan,

I looked at them more carefully and they're not the same ones I have on the upward opening cabinets in Double Trouble; it has these:

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/metal-spring-loaded-cabinet-door-support/8129

However, the cabinet doors in the Avions are not as tall and probably not as heavy as the ones in a GMC.

Camping world also has these plastic ones:

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/plastic-spring-loaded-cabinet-door-support/49541

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/plastic-spring-loaded-cabinet-door-support/49542

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Borlase

Thanks Rob...looks like what I'm looking for.

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

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Re: [GMCnet] GAS STRUTS FOR REAR HATCH DOORS [message #195182 is a reply to message #195117]

Tue, 08 January 2013 11:41

Dan Borlase

Messages: 743
Registered: May 2008
Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Rob, thanks for your detective work. The cabinet doors in my coach are custom made from standard cabinate door materials (mdf) press board. This means that they are heavy. If I had it to do over again I would have used a much lighter material. ( I did not know about this forum, or any other GMCer at the time I rebuilt my 26'er). At present I have 3 standard (GMC) spring hinges and two additional spring supports just to hold them up. It does the job but the doors do not open any more than 70 degrees or so. That translates to a lot of potential head banging and accompaning language. The hinges them selves will not swing to a full 90 degrees. That is why I'm thinking of swaping out all the hinges and struts in favor of simple piano hinges and two gas struts. Expencive for sure, but my for head will thank me if I can get the doors to open a full 90 degrees or more. Like Dan says "life is good in a GMC".

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