allsierra123

I purchased a Gun rack for my cherokee. It a double unit That has a ratchet system on it to secure the gun into the rack. Uses expandable mounts that can be put in the window. But I see on the packaging that It can also be hard mounted to a wall or something. My first thought Was the back of the bench seat. Which I think will work fine except my gear will more than likely block access there. My other idea Is drilling out the mouting tabs on the rear gate that holds the door card on there. And hard mount that card to the rear gate with some machine screws and mount the rack in between my speakers. Now I think this would look slick. As well as be functional since the guns will be thethered in. My question is do you guys think that my struts will hold the weight. They are new and seem pretty stiff. I think my heaviest rifle is 7 or 8 pounds. I am wanting to do this mod but Want to think it out first before I start mounting everything up.

crbnfibr

gotta pic of the rack, always helps me with idea? open ur hatch and put 14-16lbs on top and see if it holds...

allsierra123

LOL no kidding dude I dont know why I didnt think of that.

allsierra123

This is the one I bought But Im not sure it will hold under the weight it doesnt take much to close it. Im gonna get some weights on it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380375613918...84.m1497.l2649

allsierra123

OK Update looks like 10# is the max Right now. That will allow me to mount one rifle. Which will work for now. But I need to find some heavier duty. Struts I think. I would like to be able to accommodate two rifles as well as my flush mount reverse lights in the hatch. Its not much more weight just need to be figure out what it will all weigh.

crbnfibr

Do you carry passengers?

ThunderThighs

Haha it's funny everytime

allsierra123

Yeah I carry My two kids and dog in the back seat.

notop46

It depends on where you put the weight. As far as the gas struts are concerned, a pound of weight at the lowest edge is like two ponds of weight in the middle of the door.

allsierra123

Yeah It would be close to the bottom of the hatch. Which is not ideal for the struts to hold it up. Kind of has a lever effect on the struts.

crbnfibr

autozone.com has gas shocks that have 60-65lbs of lift each... 22$ a piece id link it but their site is all glitchy atm. the cheeper ones only do 35-45lbs both under our model year, so maybe 35lbs is minimum needed??

crbnfibr

mount the top with a hinge and the bottom with a lock pin, so when you leave the lock pin out the rack swings down as the hatch opens also run some kind of cross brace along the bottom of the brackets so that it doesn't twist

allsierra123

That cold work. But the 65# ones might give me the extra if I have only 35# now But I looked on mine I cant see any weight markings on them.

crbnfibr

do it and see if your current ones will work with it, if not upgrade, i wonder if you could pop one off, put rod side down on a scale and just push down?

Drewjharper1900

Two 65#'s might be too much if stock are 35#. You could try a 65# on one side and a 35# on the other. I just know that the PO of my jeep had struts that were too strong and would knock you in the chin if you weren't careful. I had to catch the hatch when it opened. It would lift up the back of the jeep if you let it fly on its own.