JCR Rear Hatch MOLLE Panel - Weight Problem

[DirtyLuke]

I picked up JCR's rear hatch MOLLE panel and love it. But I quickly realized that adding even just a few items to the panel causes significant sag in the rear hatch. The OEM liftgate gas struts are simply not strong enough to handle any extra weight on the hatch. Has anyone encountered this problem on their Bronco Sport or other vehicle?

I've reached out to JCR to see if they know of a stronger replacement strut that would fit the Bronco Sport. I took some measurements and will be looking myself. Stronger struts are a common mod for vehicles like the 4-Runner, but I don't yet know if those 4-Runner struts will match close enough in length to mine.

 

[DirtyLuke]

Found these MaxPow struts for the 07-11' Honda CRV that appear to match the dimensions of the Bronco Sport strut very closely. Going to give it a shot and see what happens. Worst case scenario, I return them.

 

[Meanderthal]

The weight problem was discussed on here at some point. I think it was somebody considering this panel (or something similar) and we talked about how limited it would be based on how easy it is to close the hatch.

 

[gatornek]

Please keep us posted if you’re able to find replacement struts. I was definitely looking at this panel as a possible mod.

 

[Mark S.]

The weight problem was discussed on here at some point. I think it was somebody considering this panel (or something similar) and we talked about how limited it would be based on how easy it is to close the hatch.

Yup. Here's the scientific answer.

 

[gatornek]

This guy locked out the strut on his wagon, with a modified pvc pipe to use as a sleeve.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/wrenchin-wednesday-hatchback-strut-lockout/

 

[Dude]

This guy locked out the strut on his wagon, with a modified pvc pipe to use as a sleeve.

Nice!! Thanks for posting.

 

[DirtyLuke]

Found these MaxPow struts for the 07-11' Honda CRV that appear to match the dimensions of the Bronco Sport strut very closely. Going to give it a shot and see what happens. Worst case scenario, I return them.

Update: These CRV struts are much weaker than the OEM Bronco Sport struts. Going to have to go more custom.

Update 2: Just took the OEM strut and checked it on a scale. It takes about 170 lbs-F to compress. Off to McMaster-Carr I go.

Update 3: McMaster-Carr option is sold out, so I'm trying these from Lift Support Depo. Will post in a few days when they get in.

 

[gatornek]

How did those support arms work out for you? I'm interested in this molle panel, so I reached out to jcr and they responded with this

So there may be an option out there that won't wear out your OEM struts after all. But there still seems to be no feedback on how effective they are.

I think this molle panel is the perfect place for the basics like fire extinguisher, noco jumper, first aid, shovel etc. But how much weight is "too much weight", where now you lose the effectiveness of the hatchback.

 

[DirtyLuke]

How did those support arms work out for you?

What fortuitous timing for you to ask. I just got the fittings in that I was waiting for to finish the project.

I had also reached out to JCR and got the same response. Reading it again, I now know what they meant by the angled adapter. They mean these. You will need an angled fitting on the top end of the strut. I figured that out when the new struts came in and the straight fitting wouldn't work.

The fittings on the OEM strut thread on and can be reused, but the LiftSupportDepot struts are threaded M8x1.25, while the OEM are M6x1.0. That's why I ordered (and waited a while) for those amazon ones.

I don't remember why I didn't go with the strut they linked to, and in hindsight I definitely could have, because the one's I got are STRONG! After only installing 1 of the new struts and leaving the other OEM I could achieve a really good level of lift assist and ease of closing. With both installed, it takes slightly more force than I'd like to get going in the closing direction, but still not too much. The tradeoff being I can actually hang stuff off the handles now and this liftgate will take it, even with the molle panel loaded up.

For reference, the OEM struts are roughly 170ft-lb.
The JCR recommended struts are 194ft-lb.
The struts I installed are 209ft-lb.

 

[gatornek]

What fortuitous timing for you to ask. I just got the fittings in that I was waiting for to finish the project.

I had also reached out to JCR and got the same response. Reading it again, I now know what they meant by the angled adapter. They mean these. You will need an angled fitting on the top end of the strut. I figured that out when the new struts came in and the straight fitting wouldn't work.

The fittings on the OEM strut thread on and can be reused, but the LiftSupportDepot struts are threaded M8x1.25, while the OEM are M6x1.0. That's why I ordered (and waited a while) for those amazon ones.

I don't remember why I didn't go with the strut they linked to, and in hindsight I definitely could have, because the one's I got are STRONG! After only installing 1 of the new struts and leaving the other OEM I could achieve a really good level of lift assist and ease of closing. With both installed, it takes slightly more force than I'd like to get going in the closing direction, but still not too much. The tradeoff being I can actually hang stuff off the handles now and this liftgate will take it, even with the molle panel loaded up.

For reference, the OEM struts are roughly 170ft-lb.
The JCR recommended struts are 194ft-lb.
The struts I installed are 209ft-lb.

Much appreciated on the detail! Looks like the Molle panel is back on the menu! I think I might go with the recommended struts so I can keep the force equal on both sides.

I've been steadily trying to slowly prep my BS for small 3 or 4 day camping trips. Space is at a premium. This helps a lot.

 

[JcrOffroad]

We are working with lift struts depot to get a part number for a pair of 194lb struts with the correct angle brackets on the website to make ordering easier. We will post a link when it's available, but they said the part number will be PM4310. We will add the info to the product page as well

 

[Horse n Buggy]

We are working with lift struts depot to get a part number for a pair of 194lb struts with the correct angle brackets on the website to make ordering easier. We will post a link when it's available, but they said the part number will be PM4310. We will add the info to the product page as well

Have y'all heard any update on from Lift Struts Depot on getting this set up?

 

[jwitherspoon]

What fortuitous timing for you to ask. I just got the fittings in that I was waiting for to finish the project.

I had also reached out to JCR and got the same response. Reading it again, I now know what they meant by the angled adapter. They mean these. You will need an angled fitting on the top end of the strut. I figured that out when the new struts came in and the straight fitting wouldn't work.

The fittings on the OEM strut thread on and can be reused, but the LiftSupportDepot struts are threaded M8x1.25, while the OEM are M6x1.0. That's why I ordered (and waited a while) for those amazon ones.

I don't remember why I didn't go with the strut they linked to, and in hindsight I definitely could have, because the one's I got are STRONG! After only installing 1 of the new struts and leaving the other OEM I could achieve a really good level of lift assist and ease of closing. With both installed, it takes slightly more force than I'd like to get going in the closing direction, but still not too much. The tradeoff being I can actually hang stuff off the handles now and this liftgate will take it, even with the molle panel loaded up.

For reference, the OEM struts are roughly 170ft-lb.
The JCR recommended struts are 194ft-lb.
The struts I installed are 209ft-lb.

Do you happen to have the two extra strut adapters from Amazon and would you be willing to sell them?

 

[RushMan]

I picked up JCR's rear hatch MOLLE panel and love it. But I quickly realized that adding even just a few items to the panel causes significant sag in the rear hatch. The OEM liftgate gas struts are simply not strong enough to handle any extra weight on the hatch. Has anyone encountered this problem on their Bronco Sport or other vehicle?

I've reached out to JCR to see if they know of a stronger replacement strut that would fit the Bronco Sport. I took some measurements and will be looking myself. Stronger struts are a common mod for vehicles like the 4-Runner, but I don't yet know if those 4-Runner struts will match close enough in length to mine.

From the owner's manual (2021 Owner's Manual, Liftgate, page 70, or 2024 Owners Manual, Liftgate, p.71):

Note: Do not hang anything, for example
a bike rack, from the glass or liftgate. This
could damage the liftgate and its
components.

Don't expect warranty coverage of your hatch or lift struts if you add this to your car.