I have the old school side by side race hatches that open out to the sides and they only have one spring per hatch to keep them open ( the first picture). Right now there is only one spring on each hatch near the front that keeps them open. I dont know why someone took the rear ones off. I could put another set of the spring type on the rear but they are always a PITA to close and I would think that two of them would be an even bigger pain. Has anybody used a hydraulic cylinder? I have seen the electric actuators but from what I hear they are not that reliable.

I have a single hatch actuator electric and does a fine job, I have see them at cpperformance $250 a piece.

Wife

dont have one of thoses, does GF count?

I have two gas pistons, like the kind that hold open the rear gate on an SUV. Hatch is secured down with hood pins and clips.

I think that these would be ideal for your setup. Make sure you measure open and closed distances for the hatch, and get ones that are strong enough, but not so strong that you cant close the hatches.

You can find them at West Marine, but they are stupid expensive. I got mine off of Ebay Stores, store was called Strut-your-stuff or something to that effect. they have them in alot of different sizes/strengths.

Mine is same as Phils. Usually the ones that they use for the rear hatch on an SUV are good, probly an estimate on what your hatch weighs would help. Mine are getting a little weak though and I'll be installing an electric opener. Just make sure if you go electric you have a way to pull one of the pins out with the hatch closed in case batteries are dead or cylinder fails.

You can also find them locally at Wal-Mart, Autozone, O-Rielly's (sp?), Advance Auto, NAPA, and so on and so on.