Rear glass operation on GTS - how hard is yours to lift?

[dave6666]

The rear glass on my '01 is very difficult to lift for the first few inches. From there it goes up much easier, and the support cylinders hold it with no issues.

Back to those first few inches... Is everybody's that tough to lift at first?

Spend the $40 on new gas cylinders?

Should I switch from beer to protein drinks?

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Once you give it a little nudge mine goes up by istelf. Sounds like time for new cylinders for you.

 

[Viper Specialty]

replace the hatch lifts if it gives you any trouble. For 88 bucks a set, just swap them every 5 years.

 

[dave6666]

replace the hatch lifts if it gives you any trouble. For 88 bucks a set, just swap them every 5 years.

$88 per set?

Is that like my first clue to stay away from the $40 ebay sets?

 

[Dom426h]

just replaced mine, now after turning the key all i have to do is touch it and it goes up by its self. im really appreciating the new shocks since im in and out of my hatch alot.

 

[Dom426h]

after the current vca discount thru chuck you end up somewhere between the cost of ebay ones and new ones...

 

[whitebluevipe]

i just turn the key and mine pops open.

 

[got one]

redbull

 

[dave6666]

redbull

Hey... You don't know... You got no rear glass!

 

[mad0953]

Mine goes up real easy also.......I keep my milk crates in the back so the hatch gets opened and closed a lot.

 

[FATHERFORD]

$88 per set?

Is that like my first clue to stay away from the $40 ebay sets?

I wonder whats different between the ones on ebay and the ones vendors sells if anything? $40 to $90 is a huge jump in price. Mine isn't the easiest to get up either. Takes a little nudge then it goes up by itself. For $40 I'll buy a new set, for $90 I'll deal with them until they are just plane shot.

I wonder if it's like the spark plugs I tried to buy from a vendor. They wanted $70 for a set of 10, where I got the 30 of the same plugs shipped to my door through sparkplugs.com for under $70.

 

[Viper Specialty]

$88 per set?

Is that like my first clue to stay away from the $40 ebay sets?

[general statements]

I certainly wouldnt use them without seeing them in person first, no... and the chance of them being too stiff or too weak as a generic type would be pretty good, or having one blow out and create a massive mess. For 30 bucks, is it worth the risk and hassle- not to mention undercutting the people who support the club with a likely inferior product, for peanuts really.

The list price is 88 bucks a pair, as pointed out above, the cost is 70.40 after VCA Discount. Myself or Chuck can ship anyone out a set if need be. Easy Install. They generally get soft and take more force to lift up, but if you have a hatch that doesnt always stay up, you are certainly due. Considering the mess they make if they leak, preventative maintenance is pretty cheap insurance here.

I have gotta be honest with you guys on this one... seeing as an oil change costs more than these as a pair, what is the big deal on replacing them once every 5 years as general maintenance? A tank of gas or an oil change is right up there with this one- we arent talking about a 5000.00 item here.

 

[JohnnyBravo]

I bought a replacement set off ebay for about $35-40 and they bolted up perfectly and the hatch pops up as soon as I turn the key. Best $40 I've spent. Took about 5 minutes each side to swap them out.

 

[banton]

I recently purchased a replacement set off of ebay (the ones that have a Racine, Wisconsin address). I had heard positive feedback from other owners. I can't speak for the other sources of the ebay struts that also sell them.

They are made by a company that also makes them for OEM's. I ordered mine, received them in 3 days and had them on in about 5 minutes (after unscrewing the rear defroster clamp). I would consider them equal quality to what my Viper came with and lift the hatch right up. Nice not having to rest the hatch on my head to get anything out of there anymore

 

[sirhc76]

along these lines. During the Texas Roundup I realized that I didnt completely close my back glass after we took off. I had my windows open and the glass was just slightly opened. When I closed my windows the back glass started to raise, closed the windows and the rear glass went down. So I just closed the windows let it float up and then popped them open. Back glass closed and I didnt have to stop. My back glass needs a little lift the first few inches and then it pops. Another guy here with a GTS opens with the key and his lifts straight up.

 

[FATHERFORD]

Good to hear the eBay ones are good for about half the price. Guess I'll go ahead and purchase some of those.

I am also a supporter for the vendors as I have bought something from at least 4 of them now. To buy the same thing for nearly double(been quoted triple) the price from a vendor just because? I'm sure any vendor if done a little research could get a hold of the same struts sold on eBay for cheaper if they bought several sets and sell them for the same price as $40. Then they can have the option of OEM, or apprently the exact same ones that aren't "OEM" for nearly half the price.

 

[CROM]

I got my set from Advance Autoparts. Had to order them online, but they were around 40 bucks shipped to my door. PartsRack also sells them, not sure about price but Jon is always very competitive.

 

[dave6666]

[general statements]

I certainly wouldnt use them without seeing them in person first, no... and the chance of them being too stiff or too weak as a generic type would be pretty good, or having one blow out and create a massive mess. For 30 bucks, is it worth the risk and hassle- not to mention undercutting the people who support the club with a likely inferior product, for peanuts really.

The list price is 88 bucks a pair, as pointed out above, the cost is 70.40 after VCA Discount. Myself or Chuck can ship anyone out a set if need be. Easy Install. They generally get soft and take more force to lift up, but if you have a hatch that doesnt always stay up, you are certainly due. Considering the mess they make if they leak, preventative maintenance is pretty cheap insurance here.

I have gotta be honest with you guys on this one... seeing as an oil change costs more than these as a pair, what is the big deal on replacing them once every 5 years as general maintenance? A tank of gas or an oil change is right up there with this one- we arent talking about a 5000.00 item here.

Good to hear the eBay ones are good for about half the price. Guess I'll go ahead and purchase some of those.

I am also a supporter for the vendors as I have bought something from at least 4 of them now. To buy the same thing for nearly double(been quoted triple) the price from a vendor just because? I'm sure any vendor if done a little research could get a hold of the same struts sold on eBay for cheaper if they bought several sets and sell them for the same price as $40. Then they can have the option of OEM, or apprently the exact same ones that aren't "OEM" for nearly half the price.

I got my set from Advance Autoparts. Had to order them online, but they were around 40 bucks shipped to my door. PartsRack also sells them, not sure about price but Jon is always very competitive.

I am also a big believer of supporting the vendors at this site as Dan points out we should think about.

But there seems to be some support that anything above $40 is Viper tax.

I'm on the fence right now Dan. I'm not a cheap ass, but I'm also not going to throw money away.

 

[2001 GTS]

The ebay ones work great!

 

[banton]

I am also a big believer of supporting the vendors at this site as Dan points out we should think about.

But there seems to be some support that anything above $40 is Viper tax.

I'm on the fence right now Dan. I'm not a cheap ass, but I'm also not going to throw money away.

I think most all of us are for supporting our vendors and like many here, the vast majority of parts and services I have procured for my Viper come from Viper members and Viper specific vendors. On the other hand, I don't think buying a quality set of struts for what sounds like 1/2 the going price should be considered turning our back on the community. I doubt the vendors would either.

 

[costanZo]

I bought these...

eBay Motors: Dodge Viper Rear Hatch/Trunk Glass Struts Shocks 97-02 (item 180226389216 end time May-21-08 16:52:49 PDT)

 

[got one]

Hey... You don't know... You got no rear glass!

I do have rear plexiglass but fancy shocks and such...don't have those

 

[Viper Specialty]

On the other hand, I don't think buying a quality set of struts for what sounds like 1/2 the going price should be considered turning our back on the community. I doubt the vendors would either.

I hardly consider it turning your back on the community.

But maybe its just me, after cleaning up the mess of a failed glass strut- I would never take a chance on having to do that job again for 30 bucks. No way, No how.

If the shocks coming from eBay are the same part down to the part number, then sure. But as Ebay goes, I generally dont find that to be the case, and there are surely onesmixed in on Ebay that arent matching.

 

[costanZo]

I bought these...

eBay Motors: Dodge Viper Rear Hatch/Trunk Glass Struts Shocks 97-02 (item 180226389216 end time May-21-08 16:52:49 PDT)

Just quoting myself...

I bought these off eBay, great seller by the way. I have a 96 GTS and the ad says 97-02 on eBay and the seller even told me if they did not match with my car to feel free and send them back for a full refund. I asked Chuck Tator and he assured me it was a misprint on the eBay ad and the struts/shocks did work on my 96 as well as all GENII's... Steve Heitz actually put them in for me so I have already had them installed on my car and they do match.

 

[FE 065]

The rear glass on my '01 is very difficult to lift for the first few inches. From there it goes up much easier, and the support cylinders hold it with no issues.

Back to those first few inches... Is everybody's that tough to lift at first?

Spend the $40 on new gas cylinders?

Should I switch from beer to protein drinks?

Mine's been the same way-even with new struts. I can hear the hinges creaking. My hood was the same way, but it's better now after some oiling. Maybe the previous owner parked it outside a lot?

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

GTS guys complaining about the hatch struts
Gen 2 guys complaining about door wiring harnesses getting broken and losing their way to get in/out the car
Gen 2 guys complaining about window motors/regulators
GTS guys complaining about locking their keys in the car

...quit yer complaining and buy a Gen 1

 

[dave6666]

GTS guys complaining about the hatch struts
Gen 2 guys complaining about door wiring harnesses getting broken and losing their way to get in/out the car
Gen 2 guys complaining about window motors/regulators
GTS guys complaining about locking their keys in the car

...quit yer complaining and buy a Gen 1

Chad...

A '96 Viper is a Gen 1.?

Not a Gen 1. Not a Gen 2. But a mystery car.

Let alone that wacky red and yellow paint scheme. What were they thinking? Some burger joint corporate colors?



Sorry. Back on focus.

Gen 2 owners don't complain. They discuss.

Thank you.

back at you

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Chad...

A '96 Viper is a Gen 1.?

Not a Gen 1. Not a Gen 2. But a mystery car.

Let alone that wacky red and yellow paint scheme. What were they thinking? Some burger joint corporate colors?



Sorry. Back on focus.

Gen 2 owners don't complain. They discuss.

Thank you.

back at you

Its a Gen 1.5 or Gen 1.5.1 if you get the optional ******* girl package. Red and yellow color scheme because those were the original colors for ******* until McDonald's stole them Oh well, its also "Ferrari ***** slapper" colors Anyway, you Gen 2 guys continue your "discussions" of the pitfalls of such technologically advanced cars such as Gen 2's

 

[2snakes4us]

Chad...

A '96 Viper is a Gen 1.?

Not a Gen 1. Not a Gen 2. But a mystery car.

Let alone that wacky red and yellow paint scheme. What were they thinking? Some burger joint corporate colors?



Sorry. Back on focus.

Gen 2 owners don't complain. They discuss.

Thank you.

back at you

Have the best of two worlds....get Both Gen's