BigJimnyMeet (North) 2024 (12 Jan 2024)
14th July 2024
Parkwood Nr. Leeds
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Tailgate strut
- New boy
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For anyone interested in the SGS gear, here's the parts North West Overlander fitted (with the addition of a locking strut cover giving you the ability to lock out the gas strut during high winds/inclines. This is optional)
Total extended length of the strut is 450mm, with the addition of 2 x ball joints (25mm in length) that gives an overall length of 500mm
They also sell the same gas strut in an adjustable format, ideal for those with heavier tyres fitted to the rear door. The OE Strut is rated at 280N, so this is the eject force you should request when adding the strut to your basket. Or as above, buy an adjustable one so that you can tailor it to your requirement (additional load to your boot door, storage & MT tyre).
source OE specs: www.buycarparts.co.uk/stabilus/15259155
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I found this was the most cost effective design, giving me a 512mm long strut when fully extended, the original Strut is 480mm. I went for a 300N Strut which is very slightly uprated in comparison to the OE unit (280N). But for belt and braces I also purchased the optional safety lock out tube (£15). This is because I have a dog, I'll now have the ability to lock the door open in high winds or when parked on a steep incline.
I'll post some photo's once it's been installed.
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- Bill Portland
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I'll keep you posted once I return & purchase a more appropriate unit, I must say I'm not that enamoured with the SGS quality may look elsewhere for the next attempt. I was attracted to their option because of the safety locking tube, I thought that would be a smart addition.
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The gas strut GS8-18-210-270 from SGS is a direct swap. Charged to 300N it opens nicely without being dangerous (I personally wouldn't want to risk a more powerful strut).
However I've got several issues. Firstly the strut SGS sent me came with a defective saftey locking tube. Secondly with the locking tube fitted it reduces the stroke of the strut by approximately 20mm causing it to bottom out when you attempt to close the door.
The compressed length of shock required from vehicle ball joint centres is 305mm therefore both OE and the above SGS strut are compatible without the locking safety tube fitted. (Bummer for me because I was attracted to the concept of a locking strut).
My third and final issue is the deal breaker. The OE strut fully extended is 480mm. To open the door parallel with the side of the vehicle the gas strut needs to be a minimum of 500mm (ball joint centres). Sadly after 490mm of the door opening the electrical harness coming from the rear of the cabin to the rear door becomes uncomfortably tight. I don't personally want to risk fatiguing these cables after 100's of door operations. They're nice and relaxed with he OE strut fully extended.
So in summary, yes you can order the same strut that I've specified above in my order confirmation and it'll give you great access to the rear of your JIM. You cannot match it with a safety locking tube because it will reduce the stroke of the strut and you'll bottom it out. But carry out this upgrade at your own risk, the rear electrical harness could become compromised after years of opening and closing.
I'll be returning my strut and getting a refund. I may consider a 480mm replacement in the future with a bit more ejection power, but that's it. I'll live with the lack of full opening. There may be a harness clipping point inside the rear door that can be relaxed you give you a bit more cable slack, but at the moment I'm not prepared to investigate any further.
Sorry for the essay, but I hope this helps others out there make an informed decision! Sadly this wasn't mentioned by North West Overlander.
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- Bill Portland
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Bill Portland wrote: Very helpful post Dagzook, it's a shame that it looks like it won't work out. I'm not worried about opening the door more, but a stronger strut with a locking option would be ideal. Sounds like that's not viable either. I'll probably just go for the stronger strut, at least it'll stop the door closing on me so often when parked on a slope. Can you confirm that you need new ball socket bits to go with the sgs strut? The oem ones don't mate with the sgs strut?
Bill, The OEM Stabilus Ball joints look permanently fixed to the strut. So if you're going to order an SGS Strut you'll need two M6 threaded 10mm ball joints. If you want a bit more power for your Strut I wouldn't advise that you go much higher than 350N The one I ordered felt plenty and that was 300N didn't get a chance to test it on an incline though. No idea what power NWO ordered, his nearly tipped the Jimny over when he opened it! (You specify this number before you add the strut to your cart).
Strut (450mm in length):
www.sgs-engineering.com/gs8-18-200-250
Ball Joints (you'll need two) :
www.sgs-engineering.com/b1-push-fit-plastic-ball-socket
Total length of strut from ball joint centres 450mm + 32mm = 482mm (Near as damn it identical to the OE strut).
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Black 2019 Jimny SZ5
www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum/8-my-ji...ley-s-2019-black-sz5
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I've complained that SGS don't mention the compensation required when offering the safety lock tube as an option of their configurator tool.
I watched an autocar review recently on YouTube (I think it was the new landcruiser?) the rear boot strut locked with a simple quarter turn? must have been an adjustable valve or something within the strut. Very neat idea!
*EDIT* found the video I was talking about. Scroll to 2.00minutes, this is the kind of locking strut I'm looking for. May try and find out the specs for that part!
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As a side note, I have just bought the wife a Ford Ecosport (side opening rear door) when you oper the rear door it only opens about a third of the way, give it another push and it opens all the way. I have got as far as measuring the strut and it is longer (can't remember the number now). I do intent to try it on the Jimny to see how it works out. I think a two stage opener will be quite useful at times.
Black 2019 Jimny SZ5
www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum/8-my-ji...ley-s-2019-black-sz5
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