Glad it was helpful, Allistair. My guess is that there's a higher force
option out there, and I know there are some fully-custom and reduceable
force set-ups available, but at under 30 bucks each, these turned out to be
a nice option at a really good price.

To clarify on the connector ends:

The ones I bought come standard with steel 10mm ball cups at BOTH ends.
(these are different than the nylon sockets/clips on the stock struts, but
they are compatible and recommended/required on 200lb+force struts).
Anyway, since, this cup/socket works with the ball on the hatch side, you
just have to have them change out the other end to fit over the "van"
side's clevis/pin connection. So, I was instructed to state in the comments
section at checkout: "Please customize: Eyelet Hole=8mm for the shaft", and
voila. Lou also suggested that I shoot him an email about the customization
after the order, just to be sure. (just use the contact link on the website)

Again, here's the struts I bought
https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/lift-supports-depot-st200m1-250-gas-charged-lift-support-strut61083w/

If you do a search on that site for STOCK Vanagon struts, you will see the
specs for the stock struts and you can compare.
https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/shopby/1986/volkswagen/vanagon/campmobile-van-camper-3door/

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

James V
86 Syncro Westy

On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 10:00 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:

> This is great info james, thanks very much for posting.
>
> Just to be clear, when ordering you specify the ball and clevis end set up?
>
> Cheers
>
> Alistair
>
>
>
> On Apr 9, 2017, at 9:44 PM, James Vogl <jamesvogl@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I just installed a set of 250lb force struts from LiftSupportsDepot. Lou
> seems to be the owner and is fairly responsive via email. 250lbs seems to
> be about the max force they carry that will fit the Vanagon. (but perhaps
> he can get you something custom). The higher pressure factory strut I
> believe to be 140lbs. The heavy duty struts from GoWesty are 150lbs. Here's
> what I bought:
>
> Part #: ST200M1-250
> Force: 250lbs
> Extended length: 20"
> Compressed length: 12"
> Body connector: 10mm ball socket cup
> Shaft connector: 8mm eyelet hole
> Total cost: $60 w/ CA tax, free shipping
>
> These are nice beefy struts, with larger diameter body/shaft. They come
> standard w/ steel ball/socket ends on both sides, which are different than
> factory, but work fine for the ball side. You have to specify an eyelet for
> the shaft side (no extra charge).
>
> So, these *just* support my loaded (more on that below) hatch in the fully
> open position. It takes just a small amount of pressure to pull the hatch
> down from there, and it will not stay open at any in-between position.
> Overall, though, I'm super pleased. I can actually open the hatch now with
> all my crap on it, whereas before I had to remove everything!
>
> Still, I'd be nervous bent over the engine, so I'm thinking I'll use some
> sort of slip-over safety stop, like the tube-over-the-strut method. (These
> struts are larger in diameter, though, so the 3/4" PVC I was using on the
> stock struts won't fit. And a larger 1" PVC has too large an O.D. to fit in
> the channel when closed.) I was thinking a thinner-walled metal tube
> instead. Or...?
>
> With everything removed from the rack (but rack still attached), it does
> take some effort to close the hatch, but it's certainly do-able for someone
> of moderate strength/weight (I'm a small guy). Others may have more
> difficulty. In this config, the hatch will *just* stay open with only one
> of the 250lb struts installed. So, for the majority of the time that I
> don't have a full load, I may swap back one of my old stock struts on one
> side, for a happy medium.
>
> Back to my full load:
> 1 Gary Lee custom Multi Purpose Rack: ~30lbs (? - just a guess, don't wan
> to take it off to weigh it)
> 2 Yakima Boa Mounts + fork mounts: ~8lbs (?)
> 1 Scepter gas can + mount + 3 gallons gas: 30 lbs
> 2 bikes: 45 lbs
> 2 tie dow straps: ~2lbs
> Total: ~115lbs
>
> Removing the stuts, then supporting the hatch vertically with 2x4 at the
> strut connection point, the weight supported by the 2x4 is ~230lbs. So in
> my case, the total strut force to hatch weight ratio is about 2.2:1. This
> would vary depending how the load is dispersed.
>
> Pics: https://goo.gl/photos/hLRmCUX2ysAouMHD6
>
> James V
> 86 Syncro Westy
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 28, 2017 at 9:05 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> My friend Simon bought some 1250 N struts from Germany for the similar
>> reason. They're great, lifts his spare tire rack and bike rack ( with tire
>> and bike) that I made for him.
>>
>> Without anything on the hatch it's hard to close.
>>
>> Unfortunately the German source has dried up, but I mention it so you
>> will know that 1250N is strong enough for a good load on hatch.
>>
>> Oh, and before anyone asks, it's been almost three years now with the
>> struts and no adverse effect noted on the hatch.
>>
>> I've been looking for similar struts but not found any yet.
>>
>> Alistair
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Mar 28, 2017, at 7:24 PM, Roman Haag <romanhaag@YMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> >
>> > I recently got a Gary Lee multipurpose rack, which has my spare, a gas
>> can, and a hi-lift jack on it.
>> >
>> > I need some stronger struts and am having a hard time finding info
>> about them.  Does anyone hear have any experience with them and could
>> possibly recommend me some?
>> >
>> > All of the GoWesty/Bus Depot ones sound good, but they don't really
>> give nay specific information.
>> >
>> > I've found these but I'm not even sure they'll fit.  I know the Vanagon
>> ones compress to 11.75", as well.
>> > http://www.siraweb.com/gas-prop-c16-23835
>> >
>> > Any help is appreciated.  I'd hate to be the guy responsible for our
>> local Vdub mechanic getting hurt by a hatchback ;)
>> >
>> > Roman
>>
>
>