Community Forums

doug ABQ · 01-12-2008, 12:59 PM

While revewing the posts Icame across one posted by DLukes, Dec 10, 07. Said he installed gas lifters like ones on a car hood obtained from NAPA. Would like to know if anyone else has done this and the part number for the gas springs. If they work same as ones on the bay doors seems the bed would be hard to control on the way down. If any one has info on this topic would appreciate a post here about it. Hate to hear the grunts and groans from my wife as she tries to hold the bed while I hook the safety rods. (please include part numbers,if any)

doug ABQ · 01-12-2008, 12:59 PM

While revewing the posts Icame across one posted by DLukes, Dec 10, 07. Said he installed gas lifters like ones on a car hood obtained from NAPA. Would like to know if anyone else has done this and the part number for the gas springs. If they work same as ones on the bay doors seems the bed would be hard to control on the way down. If any one has info on this topic would appreciate a post here about it. Hate to hear the grunts and groans from my wife as she tries to hold the bed while I hook the safety rods. (please include part numbers,if any)

DLukes · 01-14-2008, 06:28 AM

A couple of notes about installing gas lifters on the bed to access the engine. One, I used one 150 lb. lifter (from NAPA) on each side of the bed. As soon as I unhook the bed and put my hand under it, it rises as if by magic. Now, getting it down is a slight challenge. If I were to do it again, I might use 100 lb. lifters on each side. Two, you have to install some 15" (or so) metal straps to the bed board and sides before mounting the springs. The bed board is about 3/4 inch wood but it is not, IMHO, strong enough to handle repeated use of the springs. Good luck with the project. Don

P.S. The reason I did this project on my '02 is because the cheesy original supports buckled while I was crawling around the engine and the bed fell on me. My wonderful wife didn't even think about this as an opportunity to cash in the life insurance. She got an adrenalin rush and helped me out. Seriously though, the bed is heavy so beware when working under it. Also, we had Davis put access doors to the storage so that we no longer have to lift the bed to access these compartments.

Ted III · 01-15-2008, 03:37 AM

As a precaution I would use a backup safety bar just as a precaution. I have known these gas shocks to fail. Not often, but once is to many times. I knew a fellow boater that had them on his engine hatch and lost three fingers when the gas shocks failed.

Ted Ulmer