Station wagon rear hatch struts

[Locomotion]

I started doing some research for the correct rear hatch struts and see that there are different part numbers for wiper versions and non-wiper versions. But there is also inconsistent info between '76-'77 and '78-'80 wagon applications.

Did something change between the years or is it typical, incomplete part info and they are the same?

I have a '78 Aspen wagon without the wiper option.

 

[Aspen500]

From what I can find, the aftermarket are different between wiper and non-wiper. Could be the wiper ones are slightly stronger for the extra weight(?) I also see choices between w/ball fittings and w/o ball fittings in the end. I wonder if the difference between '76-'77 and '78-'80 is the strength also. Could be the later gates were heavier. I'm just thinking out loud.
To throw a monkey wrench into the works, the '79 parts catalog lists only one liftgate support strut p/n for all Aspen and Volare (p/n 4054194).

 

[volare 77]

3875466 LIFT GATE PROP & BALL JT (SA 4054194) VOL, ASP 76 WGN
A online search of the 4054194 shows it interchanging with 3875466 which should be the 76 77 strut part number. No reference to the wiper option.

 

[volare 77]

http://www.dpmotorparts.com/list_parts.cfm?page=323

 

[BudW]

1976 Aspen/Volare PROP w/BALL JOINT, Lift Gate Hold Open (2x) 3875466
BALL STUD, Lift Gate Prop (4x) 3875648

1977 Aspen/Volare PROP w/BALL JOINT, Lift Gate Hold Open (2x), Up to Dec. 1, 1976 3875466 (item # 3)
After Dec. 1, 1976 4054194
BALL STUD, Lift Gate Prop (4x) 3875648 (old style – item # 4)
CLIP, Lift Gate Prop Ball Joint Retaining (4x) 3861762 (old style – item # 5)
NUT w/WASHER (not serviced) 4x (new style – item # 7)
SCREW (4x) 6031182 (new style – item # 8)

1978 Aspen/Volare PROP, Lift Gate Hold Open (2x) 4054194
Diplomat (2x) 4054359
Lebaron w/o Body Side Mldgs (2x) 4054359
Lebaron w/Body Side Mldgs (2x) 4054358
SCREW (4x) 6031182

1979 Aspen/Volare PROP, Lift Gate Hold Open (2x) 4054194
Diplomat (2x) 4054359
Lebaron w/o Body Side Mldgs (2x) 4054359
Lebaron w/Body Side Mldgs (2x) 4054358
SCREW (4x) 6031182

I have no 1980 or ’81 Parts book to look in.
No M-body station wagons in 1982.

Part # 3875466 is no longer available from Chrysler
Part # 4054194 has superseded to 4172304 – and appears to still be available from Chrysler (for $75.95 (US) each).
Part # 4054358 and # 4054359 has both been superseded to 4172086 – and also appears to still be available (for $45.00 (US) each).


I looked at O’Reilly Auto Parts for my ’77 wagon.
Sachs # SG314001 (ball/socket style) is good for ’76-77 (only – well, also for a lot of Fords)

Sachs # SG314010 (bolt through style) is good for ’76-81 (all F & M), wiper or not.

Hope this helps,
BudW

 

[Locomotion]

Looks like a mid '77 model year change. Rock Auto shows that they have the '78+ application as well. Seems that hatches with a wiper option would be heavier needing a higher rated strut, unless it was for the higher end M-bodies. F's ever have a rear wiper? Thank you for all the info.

 

[volare 77]

Just a guess on my part but I think the later mopar replacement strut may come with the ball joint stud and work on all years. As far as the weight of the lid, I`m sure they make them strong enough to handle the added weight of the wiper if equipped. Why make two different struts? Aftermarket is going to be different. They are made to fit other models I`m sure. Alsothey show different part numbers since they don`t come with the ball joint stud.

 

[BudW]

Here is a picture of an ’80 Aspen wagon with rear wiper. I was going to get the tailgate – but car got crushed before I had a chance to get it (one of those “you snooze you lose” scenario’s).

Why make two different struts?

Looks to me there were four different struts used:
F-body:
From start of production to December 1, 1976.
From December 1, 1976 to end of F-body production
Two different M-body struts:
All but Lebaron with the woodgrain trim
Lebaron (and Town & Country?) with woodgrain trim.

The last three listings have all been superseded (down to two different versions)

The aftermarket has it down to two different versions (pre and post 12/1976).
BudW

 

[Oldiron440]

Wow wait...... you mist the deal.!!!! Correct?

 

[BudW]

wait...... you mist the deal.!!!!

Punny!

I had a case of broken water heater and other maladies occur. Once I had capital to blow, the car was gone.
There wasn’t really much wrong with the car and I should have had looked into getting the entire car.
Original thread https://www.forfmjbodiesonly.com/classicmopar/threads/80-aspen-wagon.5163/
BudW