Lift Gate Strut 2023

I added a ladder to the lift gate of my 2023 TRD Off-Road Premium, and I'd like to replace the lift gate struts. The gate really struggles when the rear window is down.
I see some previous posts about Maxpow and Lift Support Depot's replacements, but they are for 2010-2018.
Do the strut mounts change from 2018 to 2023?
Any recommendations for upgrades?

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/rear-hatch-struts-shocks-upgrade.5450/

https://trail4runner.com/2019/11/04/heavy-duty-4runner-lift-gate-strut-upgrade/

 

This guy knows how to use the search function ^

 

Lift Support Depot now shows 2022. My GUESS is that 2023 is the same.

https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/t...mtysearch=Yes&search_return=all&Model=4RUNNER

 

Yea. Of course, I searched 4Runners.com for chatter about this subject and found the same in my search. The 6156-W listed doesn't have Toyota or 4Runners in the vehicle fit. The latest is STRONG ARM 6550-W LIFT SUPPORT which, according to the Lift Support website, fits a 2022 TRD ORP and has a lift force of 216 lbs. I don't think the mounting points haven't changed in a year... but that is my concern. Being a new 4Runner owner, I don't know how much these things change from one model year to the next. Common thinking is, why redesign the wheel when it works? But you never know with car manufacturers.

 

Here is a photo of the top and bottom attachments on a 2020 Pro. If yours look like this, I think they would work.

 

I wouldn't give it another thought. If something shows applicable to 2022, you can rest assured it will work on your 2023. We see it all the time when a new year model hits the streets - vendors are notorious for failing to update their websites, which means they have to pay someone to do that, and usually don't until enough people tell them if they don't, they're going to shop elsewhere. Boom! Website updated all of a sudden.

 

I have noticed that across the board for websites. With Life Support type in 2023 and they only have Subaru Impreza. It's March! Thanks for the reassurance. I am pretty you are spot on.

 

any recommendations which to choose between strong arm, stabilus, and lift support?

 

I replaced my originals because the rear hatch would not fully open in cold weather unless I pushed it up. I got new Strong Arms but, they are just like my OEMs. I can't really make a recommendation.

 

zaphod. This is precisely what I am looking for. I think it comes down to Newton Force (NF). Customer Service at Lift Support Depot is on the case and rocking the information. According to them the 2022 OE parts were rated for 211 pounds or 939NF.
Message from Lift Depot online Chat: I believe the PM4005 would work well to account for the ladder and some additional weight in the future. Typically if our customers have just the ladder the

$82 PM3489 Lift Supports Depot Qty (2) Fits Toyota 4Runner 2010-2024 Liftgate Supports Models with Added Lifting Pressure for Ladder Shocks Struts

PM3489 is what we recommend.
Thank you for all the good information y'all. I hope this thread helps anyone looking to do the same in the furture.

 

I hope last post helps out. I got a bunch of good information from Lift Depot.

 

@Bella Luna feedback would be appreciated once you’ve installed them if you go this route

 

Copy that. I ordered the 22.56'' Lift Supports Depot PM4004 Lift Support | PM4004-W with a little less NF at 1157.
They suggest

$82 PM3489 Lift Supports Depot Qty (2) Fits Toyota 4Runner 2010-2024 Liftgate Supports Models with Added Lifting Pressure for Ladder Shocks Struts

PM3489 with just the ladder added with the NF 1068 above OME at NF939. I wanted a bit more since I may be adding to the tailgate later (and I noticed it was really dragging with the rear window down), so I ordered LIFT SUPPORTS DEPOT PM4004-W with the NF of 1157. They suggested PM4005 with the NF at 1246. But I wanted to ensure my 5'4" wife could pull the gate down with just the ladder.
Ill post after I get them in.

 

On the subject of Lift Support Depot…

A certain moron (me) didn’t know that when installing these things, you DO NOT remove the metal clips on the mounts first. As such, I screwed up my brand-new struts.

LSD immediately sent me replacement strut “feet” free of charge. Now THAT is customer service. Apparently it happens a lot, so I’m not the only moron out there.

To REMOVE THE OLD STRUTS, pull the metal clips and remove the struts. All you need to do to install the new ones is place the little hole on the end of the strut onto the nub on the truck, and PUSH. They will snap right in.

This PSA submitted as penance for inconveniencing the fine folks at LSD.

 

Mine are the PM4004-PR.

I have a GOBI ladder and a Rago MOLLE panel with a ton of heavy stuff on it. These struts make the door almost weightless, so I need to nudge with my hand, but barely 5 pounds of force. When open, the hatch stays open, and closes easily.

Great struts. The GOBIs were, sadly, crap.

 

LOL. Thank you for that tidbit of knowledge. Lord knows we should all read the instructions. I thought I learned that as a five-year-old watching my father assemble my present on Christmas morning. We should all listen to what mom said.

 

That is what I ordered—the PM4004. My ladder is the Front Runner ladder which is narrow and light. I plan on keeping the rear hatch relatively light. Maybe I should have ordered the PM4005 with more lifting NFs and married a heavier woman. JK!

 

Ok, I installed them this morning, and the PM4004s are beefy enough to handle the ladder, gate, and gate window in the down position. It is a bit of a pull to close it. On the other hand, the PM4004s pop that gate right up. It reached the point that I was close to hitting my head using the old struts with the ladder. I can likely add a bit of weight to these as well. I think they can handle a molle on the gate, but that depends on what you put on it. I think they can handle a 3-gallon roto.
Installation was a breeze. I single-handedly install it. I set up a light stand and flipped the instructions, and inserted the top first and then the bottom simply because it was easier for me to snap it into place. I did have to push the tailgate a bit to install it, but once I figured it out, they snapped right in.
The PM4004s are a two-handed close but a one-hand open.
LSD support and communications were some of the best customer services around. Once they arrived, I got an email with detailed install instructions and a video link.
It really helped to research the Newton Force and calculate your load for the right struts.
As mentioned by Zaphod earlier in this post, do not remove the metal clip. Despite reading that warning, I, of course, removed the clip accidentally from my old OME strut. If I want to sell them or keep them as backup, I put the clip back on.

 

So I have read this thread and my take is the PM4004 seems to be the overall choice? I haven’t received my C4 Fab Ladder yet but wanted to have everything I needed for a “Happy Install”. The instructions for the ladder state that the factory struts should be sufficient but something tells me this may be wishful thinking. Any advice? At present the only additional weight will be just the ladder.

 

I purchased these based on recommendation from Wescott. I have their rear ladder and these work great.

 

Well I went with the PM4005W from LSD. The 4004s were on back order and after talking to the lady at LSD she believed the c4 Ladder was definitely heavy enough. So if I understand the install instructions: I use a flat head to release the clips on both top and bottom of the old strut and simply snap the new one over the ball joint? (Have someone hold the lift while doing this) Don’t release the clip on the new strut before attaching?

 

Yes. You can simply push the new strut over the ball and it will snap in. Just do like you said, have the door held at it's highest position to relieve pressure.

 

Thx for the reply…. It’s always nice to measure twice and cut once….

 

No problem. I just replaced mine with PM1052. No ladder, just stock. The hatch opens so much better now.

 

Did you order directly from LiftSupports or Amazon?

 

I’m not sure about Rocco but I ordered direct from LSD, Amazon didn’t list some of the Part Numbers I was interested in, however you can checkout with Amazon Pay at the LSD site so there is no need for giving out any info or setting up an account with them.

 

Amazon.

 

I appreciate the information, thanks.

 

Hi Ken, curious as to how it went with the PM4005W since I too just installed a C4 Ladder and the stock struts are not enough for it. Is it too hard to close now? Do you wish you had gone with the 4004? --- thanks