New decklid shocks

[magilla]

I just got two new decklid shocks from Pelican. They are the stock ones, not the heavy duty ones. I am unable to compress them by hand! Are they supposed to be that stiff? Any hints?

Thanks!

[Rot 911]

That is exactly how they are supposed to be. The sad thing is even with all that force, once you get them installed they will barely be able to keep the front lid open. I finally bit the bullet and bought the Weltmeister heavy duty struts which are able to handle the job.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Thassa true fact. It's an illustration of mechanical advantage. You'll never in this life or the next compress those struts by hand directly.

Stephan

[pwd72s]

Same story here...I actually placed the one shock on my floor jack, jacked it up against the springs perch on my 4X4 to make sure it would collapse before using it. Must be stiffer than original, because now when I pop the lid release, my car's engine lid raises on it's own. (Tailless lid, but steel...if it were aluminum I'd be nervous.) Suggestion..only install one, on the car's left side, see if that's enough?

[magilla]

Sounds normal, then. I have only 1 now, and it holds up the lid. I am adding an oem lid and tail to replace the all fiberglass setup I have now, so I wanted the extra strength. I also would like to have it open on it's own when I pull the handle, so I don't have to reach back and push it up. (I can do it, but my wife can't reach- how is she going to check the oil if she can't get to it???).

Thanks for the confirmation,
Magilla

[pbs911]

With a tail you will need the second shock. As for opening itself, Mine accomplishes this by the 2 small rubber mounts that are on the oposing forward edges of the truck lid. Before mine had these, I had to pull and reach around to the tail to lift. Now, I pull the cable and there is no noticable opeing lifting of the tail but I can just walk back and open the lid.

[ART C.]

I doubled mine up- kept the old one on and added the new one
now it will stay open!

[Jim T]

Originally posted by Stephan Wilkinson
Thassa true fact. It's an illustration of mechanical advantage. You'll never in this life or the next compress those struts by hand directly.

Stephan

Actually, that's not really true.

Put them on your car. After a few years, you'll be able to compress them by hand!

[Oldporsche]

I personaly think that the idea is good but the execution in practically doesn't work. Maybe something like the Pinto or one of these minvans would work a little better?

Good luck,
David Duffield