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Message |
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member
Username: Gusc
Post Number: 514
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 63.97.117.55
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 15, 2007 - 10:40 pm: | |
I just installed two gas lift struts from an '88 Dodge minivan on my 4104. I extended the original top mechanical brace mounts about 1.5" perpendicular to the door so that now the gas struts not only lift the door but they hold it closed due to the geometry of the mounts.
I used the Dodge struts because I happened to have a couple I had removed from my minivan when they would no longer hold open the tailgate.
I also removed the original mechanical door locking bar which was a real pain to operate.
If anyone is interested I can email photos and send exact measurements. |
Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member
Username: Zimtok
Post Number: 181
Registered: 9-2006
Posted From: 216.37.73.226
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 8:23 am: | |
Gus,
It would be great if I could include this upgrade to my next project of rebuilding the tailgate.
Please e-mail me any info you have on this to my work address ( sdavis@orionpackaging.com )
. |
Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member
Username: Larry_d
Post Number: 117
Registered: 7-2005
Posted From: 71.117.203.30
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 12:58 pm: | |
Gus would this be strong and heavy enough to help and hold up the rear door to my 4905? It is not original and about 4' by width of coach. 4905 Larry. |
marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member
Username: Gomer
Post Number: 101
Registered: 3-2007
Posted From: 76.4.149.200
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 7:15 pm: | |
yo gus;; I have a 4905 also and would like to do the some also. |
Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member
Username: Zimtok
Post Number: 184
Registered: 9-2006
Posted From: 216.37.73.226
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 8:33 am: | |
Gus,
I think it may be better if you post the info where we can just download it. |
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member
Username: Gusc
Post Number: 515
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 63.97.117.25
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 7:01 pm: | |
Austin,
I have no idea how to make this info available to download or how to place photos on the forum!! I can post the measurements here and send the photos by email.
I used the original (I assume mine are original since I've never seen another 4104) mounting holes with bolts to hold the Dodge struts since they have holes and not the usual ball snap-in mount of more modern struts.
I'll measure the struts tomorrow but I have no idea of their capacity in lbs. I'll also measure exactly and photograph the extensions I added to the door mounts.
I used 5/16" bolts in the original 3/8" bolt mount holes to secure the extensions plus drilled a hole for a 3/16" bolt to keep the ext from rotating.
My guess is that the 4905 door is about the same as the 4104 and 4106 but don't know that for a fact. I'll measure my door so you can compare.
This is really a great convenience and was so simple to add. If my mounts are original it will be just as easy for anyone else. |
Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member
Username: Larry_d
Post Number: 118
Registered: 7-2005
Posted From: 71.117.203.30
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 9:33 pm: | |
Gus, I would like to have you send me the info you have by email it is in my profile also it is here, pugdad2@verizon.net. Thank you very much as my tail gate is very heavy. I have some shocks from a Merc Capri but don't think they are heavy enough. Maybe with your pictures and measurements I can fabricate somethin. 4905 Larry THANKS |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member
Username: Buswarrior
Post Number: 1089
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 76.68.120.21
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 9:43 pm: | |
Transit here in Toronto has retrofitted gas shocks to open the tailgates on the GM New Look 5307 that are still here in revenue service.
Stand by, I'll do some snooping.
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member
Username: Gusc
Post Number: 516
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 63.97.117.55
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 11:03 pm: | |
Larry,
As I said I used struts I removed from my '88 Dodge minivan when they would no longer hold up my liftgate, but that thing is really heavy so these struts are pretty powerful. If you used a new one it would probably only take one but I used two because I found one old one would not quite lift the door-almost though.
The only fabrication required is two simple extensions to the two original brace brackets on the door. The ones on the stanchions are not changed.
This changes the geometry just enough to hold it closed by the almost completely compressed strut.
I'll get the measurements and photos tomorrow. |
Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member
Username: Larry_d
Post Number: 119
Registered: 7-2005
Posted From: 71.117.203.30
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 1:13 am: | |
Thank you so much Gus, I keep doing the hard lift on the tail gate thinking there was no way to fix. this at least gives me a little hope. Haven't been in the rear for a month or more I am not sure there are or have been any struts back there I also will look in the morning. 4905larry |
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member
Username: Gusc
Post Number: 517
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 63.97.117.54
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 10:18 pm: | |
I sent all this info to Gerald Norman's 4104 website because he knows how to make it downloadable, I don't.
His link is; http://www.pd4104.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forums&file=viewtopic&topic=31&forum=12
If anyone can't get it from him let me know and I'll send it by email. It is pretty big for an email so I would like not to have to send it many times since I'm on a phone line. |
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member
Username: Gusc
Post Number: 518
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 63.97.117.54
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 10:23 pm: | |
I forgot to say that Gerald will need a bit of time, probably until tomorrow, to set up the download since I just sent the info a half hour ago.
I tried to edit my own posting but the site wouldn't let me? First time that ever happened?
Well, I tried the edit again and it worked this time, go figure?
(Message edited by gusc on October 18, 2007) |
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member
Username: Gusc
Post Number: 519
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 63.97.117.29
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 9:26 pm: | |
It is now posted on Gerald's website but I wasn't able to copy the photos, only the text. If any of you have the same problem let me know and I'll send the photos by email.
I asked him to make the info downloadable but so far he hasn't. |
Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member
Username: Larry_d
Post Number: 121
Registered: 7-2005
Posted From: 71.117.203.30
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 12:40 am: | |
Gus I can't seem to get anything out of the website. If you could just email the photos it mite help. It will make another winter job, on a good day which we have not had much of. Winter is coming toooooo sooooooon up here. Thanks Gus for your ideas Larry |
marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member
Username: Gomer
Post Number: 107
Registered: 3-2007
Posted From: 76.4.149.200
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 12:24 pm: | |
hey gus; I printed the info from the site and after checking on several gmc coaches It will work on just about all the gm, including 4905's
thanks gomer |
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member
Username: Gusc
Post Number: 521
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 63.97.117.26
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 11:34 pm: | |
Gomer,
Very good news, I was hoping to hear that. I was pretty sure it would work fine on the 4106 but had no idea about the others.
The info is now downloadable from Gerald's 4104 website and is 2.2 MB.
Larry,
I'll go ahead and forward the email to you.
Austin,
Did you download it from Gerald's website? |
Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member
Username: Larry_d
Post Number: 122
Registered: 7-2005
Posted From: 71.117.203.30
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 2:37 am: | |
Gus I take it you mean Albany OR, thank you very much. My wife was raised in Stayton and Sweethome. Have you lived back there long? We have been checking property back that way because appears to be inexpensive and low taxes. Just don't want floods,toranados and such any sugestions would be welcome. I'll go check the info out when rain stops. Thank you very much and I willl keep in conttact. 4905 Larry |
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member
Username: Gusc
Post Number: 522
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 63.97.117.44
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 9:32 pm: | |
Gerald has reduced the size of the download to 975KB so the download will be much quicker. I also added a few lines based on what I discovered today.
Larry,
I'm sending you a personal email with answers to your questions. |