spta97 Posted September 13, 2004 Posted September 13, 2004 Hi all, This is my first post but I've searched and cannot find my answer. Does anyone know where to get the rear pistons that hold open the rear hatch? I called the dealer and they want $171 a piece! :o I'm not even sure what they are called so if anyone knows the exact name please let me know. I've searched the internet for "pistons" and "strong arms" and "rear hatch" but I cannot find anyplace that carries them. Perhaps there is another name? Thanks!
Fern Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 The part your enquiring about is refered to tailgate stays, or tailgate strut assembly. The price from Toyota is rediculous and it is not yet available in the aftermarket. Do a search on the web and you see some McGyver-types have modified aftermarket struts to accomodate the RX hardware which is unique to this vehicle... Hence Lexus and Toyotas part number is off the charts... Good luck, Fern
RX in NC Posted September 23, 2004 Posted September 23, 2004 You should also try your large local long-established junkyards. You'll be surprised what you'll be able to find there for very reasonable prices, and hatch struts such as these are a perfect part to get from a good quality junkyard. I think that's your best resource for a "non-essential" part like this one. Make some phone calls using your local Yellow Pages under "auto salvage". Good luck to you.
cephraim Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 Old topic - new solution! I had an ongoing search in ebay for liftarms for the 2000 RX300 and just got a hit on an aftermarket version! The ebay auction number is: 230104306909, but the seller also has their own website at: http://liftsupportsdepot.com Looks like about $68 delivered after coupon (save10) and with shipping for a pair! I just spoke with the owner of the business. He had them specially made by a manufacturer called "Piston". I guess he sent them some OEM arms and Piston made some aftermarkets to spec! Apparently, I am only his second customer on these. So, although he has a great return/warranty policy, he was a little concerned about me posting this note before I've had a chance to install them myself. But, I couldn't resist, given the pent-up demand in this thread! I'll post again when I've received them and had them installed (probably two weeks out, at the earliest.) Eph
tmastres Posted March 15, 2007 Posted March 15, 2007 Thanks for posing this, great info. Hope it works out
jgr7 Posted March 16, 2007 Posted March 16, 2007 Please let us know how they work. I have a Honda that needs some lifts for the rear glass and would like to know how this company is. There prices look very good. Jeff
cephraim Posted March 16, 2007 Posted March 16, 2007 Thanks for posing this, great info. Hope it works out Will do. I may actually try installing these myself. Doesn't look all that difficult...
howdy Posted March 17, 2007 Posted March 17, 2007 Old topic - new solution! I had an ongoing search in ebay for liftarms for the 2000 RX300 and just got a hit on an aftermarket version! The ebay auction number is: 230104306909, but the seller also has their own website at: http://liftsupportsdepot.com Looks like about $68 delivered after coupon (save10) and with shipping for a pair! I just spoke with the owner of the business. He had them specially made by a manufacturer called "Piston". I guess he sent them some OEM arms and Piston made some aftermarkets to spec! Apparently, I am only his second customer on these. So, although he has a great return/warranty policy, he was a little concerned about me posting this note before I've had a chance to install them myself. But, I couldn't resist, given the pent-up demand in this thread! I'll post again when I've received them and had them installed (probably two weeks out, at the earliest.) Eph Wow! Great find! Please post an update after installing.
cephraim Posted March 17, 2007 Posted March 17, 2007 THEY WORK! Very psyched! Ordered them Wednesday. They arrived by USPS Priority Mail in a poster tube today. Very simple installation! First I removed the left lift arm. In order to get the last bolt off, I had to prop the hatch open. Not very safe, but doable with some tall garden tomato stakes. Installed the left one. Went on very easily. Removed the right one, again having to prop open the hatch. When I went to install the right one, I discovered that what they sell are two identical liftarms, as opposed to "mirrored" arms. So, the opening in the "ball connector" on the hatch side was actually facing AWAY from the ball on the mount that I had just attached to the hatch. UH OH! Luckily, I realized that you could turn the tip of the arm with the ball connector 180 degrees and it would fit right in. The tip is threaded onto to the arm. So, this is a little weird, cause that tip is not screwed on all the way to the arm. But, it is fine. Plenty of thread left. The arms support the hatch open. And, best of all, they lift it from the half-way open point to the full-open point just as the the originals used to do! $66.50 delivered in 3 days. 45 mins to install. Like new again! Yee ha! :D Eph
cephraim Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 FYI - The guy selling these appears to have put some photos up on his site. http://www.autopartsbylou.com/images/products/10652.jpg These are, in fact, the ones I received and installed. The ball-connector at the top end is the one I had to spin/unscrew 180degrees to get the right side to work. The picture also shows the padding attached to the bottom/frame mount, which I forgot to mention before. Forms a nice seal with the frame. What's not shown is the mount for the hatch side, which has the ball on it into which the ball-connector fits. Eph
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