seat prop/gas shock

[_ogre]

it's getting hard for me to remove the seat for servicing batteries or general maintenance
i normally just carry a wood prop rod on top of the batteries, simple and effective
pshaw, who needs simple and effective when you can complicate the heck out of it
plus i finally got around to installing the new seats my kids got me for my august birthday

i did a lot of custom gas shock hood supports for sema show cars over the past few years
found this gas shock setup on amazon while looking for a toy chest no-slam hinge
$12 for a set of 2 Zengest Soft Close Lid Support, got me thinking about my new cart seats...



i say this is a temporary bracket, now that the mockup is complete i will build a better bracket
yeah, that's not gonna happen

pic1 new seat. i didn't realize how worn out the 15 yrs old seat was. i sit 2 inches higher

pic2 gas shock & bracket. 1x2 pine with a bit o metal to slide into the front slot. single screw in back

pic3 more of the same. seat up contacts the steering wheel

pic4 half way down and still holding, lower and seat closes, higher and seat self opens to the steering wheel

i used half the kit, cost $6, bracket is scraps and pieces
anyone local to se michigan need a back seat cushion freebie?
bottom cushion has small one inch tear, but 3 bolts rusted and broke off

[NoleFan4Ever]

That looks perfect - GREAT Job!!

[Swan]

nice idea !

[DaveTM]

Man......am I glad I read this thread!! I am going to put a piano hinge on each side of my seat. (Replace the factory hinges) Yeah.....I know it's a more permanent thing...but my seat has come almost off when I put the cart on my truck bed and drive 65+mph.

I currently use a bungie cord.....but even those can fail.

[WalterM6]

How do you lock it in the down position?

[NCPW]

I like it! Nice set-up

[_ogre]

thanks! it works as intended
@walter: just a prop rod, gravity holds it down

[WalterM6]

_ogre thanks. I thought it was one of those cylinders that could hold a car hood open.

[_ogre]

it is a small 22 lb (100N) version of a hood strut and it does hold the seat up with plenty of force. similar to a hood strut at 60% closed, gravity takes over, the hood will slam down and latch

i actually have a new mustang hood strut sitting on my desk, it's rated at 32 lb (140N) and requires 2 of them to hold up a hood. not that a mustang hood weighs 64 lbs, it all a matter of center of gravity and pivot points