My only comments to that is that you are going to develop muscles in your
arms just by lowering the hatch.  They are some sort of hard to close.

Jose Rafael Moscoso, T.R., M.P.H.
Program Director
Programa de Tecnologia Radiologica
Universidad Central del Caribe (www.uccaribe.edu)
Call Box 60-327; Bayamon PR  00960-6032
Tel: (787)798-3006; Fax: (787) 785-3425
----- Original Message -----
From: "The Bus Depot" <ron@NETCARRIER.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2000 9:27 AM
Subject: Re: Hatch Struts

> > >What are the best replacement hatch struts, without breaking the bank?
> > >Are the ones from the FLAPS good enough?
>
> > Got mine from Bus Depot for around 44 bucks complete to my door. Their
> > great.
>
>
> Mine are stronger than the stock ones, at $19.95 each plus shipping.
(Best
> replaced in pairs).  I have never heard of a set of mine ever failing.
See
> the archives for numerous rave reviews.  These are from the original
German
> supplier to VW but are a pair of stronger struts rather than the strong
> side/weak side configuration that makes the original ones fail more
> frequently. Another advantage is that the hatch will stay open in any
> position with my struts, and will even withstand the weight of most
tailgate
> racks.  The downside is that the hatch is a bit harder to close since the
> struts do not compress as easily. (Have only had two people ever tell me
> that they found the difference objectionable, and this is out of dozens
sold
> a week. If you want the original weaker configuration, I can supply it at
> the same price on request but don't really recommend it.)
>
> - Ron Salmon
>   The Bus Depot, Inc.
>   http://www.busdepot.com
>   (215) 234-VWVW