first time here so I am not sure if this new thread is in the right spot.
I have always had this problem and I am tired of it. the problem is the back gate/door shocks do not hold up that door very well and in winter, forget it. I have to pump the door up and down to get the shocks heated up then and they will then hold, most of the time.
I am looking for something stronger that will work a lot better then these things. problem is (got a lot of problems) I have looked all over the place to find something with all strike outs.

does anyone have any ideas?
P.S. I have replaced them a number of times with the same results.
Thanks

 

I got mine from Rock Auto, and they work fine. I have a '98 as well. The only thing I can think of that would explain why all the replacements are too weak is perhaps you got ones designed for the older Cherokees that had fiberglass (lighter) hatches.

 

I got mine from NAPA over ten years ago and they still perform like new

 

I’m pretty sure it was “a thing” a few years ago where you opt to use Ford Explorer hatch shocks. It may have only been for the XJ’s with the fiberglass hatches, not entirely sure.

The OP made the comment that you never see a Explorer in the junk yard with blown shocks & he was/is right.

 

I did the Exploder struts for a while, but they are shorter, so the tailgate does not go up as far.
Been using the Sachs shocks I bought from Vatozone. We live up in the mountains with snow, these have been on the Jeep for two years now and no problems in the cold.

 

regarding older xj like my 1990... Make sure the replacement shock upper ball socket is of the metal type without the large boxy plastic piece over the end. The boxy plastic piece can interfere with body when hatch closed.