How To : Make your rear hatch raise higher for free.

Silver dude

Sliders
Founding Member
After years of smacking the top of my head on the lift gate uttering words under my breath. It became apparent (quickly) that something had to be done to get the rear hatch to swing a bit higher for my 6.3ft frame to stand under it comfortably. Little did I know it would cost me nothing. This is a free mod no cost involved. Just need tools and time.

Tools:
10mm wrench
13mm wrench
Rope or strap

The plan is simple: Switch the two hatch struts and brackets left to right.
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Support the gate from a rope or strap to the ceiling in the garage or tree in the back yard. You get the idea take the weight off the struts so you can work on it safely without it falling on you.
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Remove the brackets using the 10mm wrench.
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Remove the strut from the hatch using the 13mm wrench.
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Switch the two struts mount your right strut on the left side. Its easiest to bolt the stud in first.
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By switching the two struts you are basically changing the offset of the strut mounts from in to out. Which allows the gate to open higher with more force. The door also sucks in quicker on closing. Use caution when closing the door it slams rather easily now. Just hold it about a foot from closing and let it go. I find it handy as the door closes simply.
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Door swings all the way up. As you can see near the height of my garage door. No more brushed scalp or having to pivot my neck.
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Enjoy your handy work. Your head will thank you.
 

J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
I love free mods. I wonder if the 2nd gen brackets are designed the same. Not that I need it. I'm only 5'10" and I've never had to duck under the hatch.
 

KChurch86

Banned
Founding Member
Just did this. I've now got 6'7" from the ground to the lowest point on the hatch, and 6'2" from the ground to my shovel. Love it! Thanks for this free and easy mod (those are my favorite ones).

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
 

Roadwarrior

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
I just used a flat head screw up over and pulled the little clips off of the rear struts, so I could just pull it off of the ball. For me it was simple and easy. Great mod. Great thought.
 

CrazySteve911

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Loris, SC
Best mod here by far. 1. FREE. 2. No more blunt force trauma to my head. 3. Took a whole five minutes.

Would never have thought of doing this myself, good write up man!
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
I'm still running the factory struts in the flipped position. It's a little slow to go all the way up with the ladder, but not bad.
 

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
I bet this would be nice for camping and tailgating...to hook a tent off of and be able to walk under neath it...I may have to give this a try!
 
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