MIkej2244

I have an 00 Durango and I leave by Saris Bones Rack on it all the time. Of course the lift gate struts are not strong enough to hold the gate up with the rack on it. I have posted this on some automotive forums as well but I thought I would try here since you guys all have racks.

Does anyone know if they make a Stronger liftgate strut? I am afraid it would have to be MUCH stronger. Or beter yet liftgate struts with a manual lockout...so I could open the liftgate, lock the struts to hold it up while I load my car. Instead of trying to hold it open with my head.

Little Darwin

I don't know about the struts, but I personally avoided that issue with my rack.

I use a hitch rack that easily tilts out of the way on my SUV.

I don't add weight to doors of any kind since several doors in my house started pulling away from the hinges because of the ex-wife hanging clothes on over the door hooks. I also had the hinges on an old car door start to pull out when I was using it to give myself very little extra leverage to get out of the small car for a couple of years.

Hinges are designed with a certain amount of tolerance for overloading, but I would expect your Durango's lift gate to wear out sooner if it continually has the extra weight on it.

Not a real answer to your question, but some advice to look for another option that would probably not cost any more.

MIkej2244

Good thoughts, but I need to avoid a hitch rack. I pull my boat about every weekend and a racecar and trailer a couple of times a month too. I do not want to have to remove it all the time and store it in the garage. I want one that stays put. I know I could go on the roof too, but I like the rack I have. Just hoping to find a liftgate strut solution. Thanks.

slowandsteady

You can most certainly get stronger struts. Why not just go to the local parts supplier?

MIkej2244

Local parts supplier carries replacements in stock, but they are not any stiffer. Will not hold up the rack.

Oh well...I think I will engineer some manual locking struts. If I canont find it, I can just build it.

slowandsteady

Did you explain to them that you need stiffer struts or did you just ask for replacements? And don't bother with Pep Boys, go to the local guy who doesn't need a computer because everything is in his head.

StokerPoker

The lift gate struts on my old Geo Metro were worn out when I got it so I replaced one with one from a Caravan. I had to make new holes to attatch it because it was much longer. when my brother tried to close it he had to hang from it to get it started. There may be an option that will work for you that doesn't require drilling. I know the Durango has a relatively heavy lift gate, but if you could find some the same length for a vehicle with a heavier lift gate they might work.
another option is a small pair of vice grips on the (brain fart) smaller piece that goes into th bigger piece. that should hold it up. Back when I was changing oil for a living I had to use that trick to hold many hoods up.

jbrians

many hitch mount racks come with a tang long enough to put a ball after the rack as well.

DieselDan

I have the same problem with a '95 Honda Odyssey. I've gotten no help from local or chain auto parts stores, and my local Honda dealer is a joke and a hypicritcal ripoff artist.