Seat lift mechanism?
 

Hi all,

The rear seat on my Z216 that hinges up is a PITA the lift, for some reason it doesnt have the electric lift even though its a 'Z' spec and alot of other Mariahs seems to have it.

At the very least I want to add some gas struts to make it easier to lift, but am undecided as to where to mount them, I guess they will have to go on each side of the engine bay.

Does anyone have any pics please showing their configuration, so I can compare and gain inspriation?

Thanks

Anthony

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

Mine has gas struts on both sides, I will try and take a pic for you next time I uncover the boat.

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

That would be great thanks, if you see any manufacturer / model markings on the gas struts that would be most useful in trying to figure out what specification / pressure gas struts are required.

Many thanks!

Anthony

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

I have the part numbers and manufacturer listed for mine on the Mariah Parts List

Hope this helps.

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

HI guys,

Don't know if this helps, but here are a few pics of our gas strut setup. The struts are SPD 120lbs units due to the size of the Sunpad and the shallow leverage angle.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...h/PICT0066.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...h/PICT0064.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...h/PICT0072.jpg

This setup takes a little effort to initially open the hatch but after that it's a lot easier and a little past half way, the pad goes up by itself and stays there. I prefer it this way, even though there are two retaining straps, I wouldn't want the pad to pop open while under way or while towing! :eek_animated:

If memory serves me, (but probibly not) I seem to remember see something about someone loosing their pad while towing because it flew open..... :(

WetWilly

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

WW, do you know what length (open an closed) those gas shocks are?

Thanks

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

Hi blockp,

They're 20" open and 12" closed.

Our setup only requires a 6 1/4" stroke so ours is 13 3/4" closed.

Here is a list of SPI's shocks with lift force as well as open and closed lengths. Click here and scroll down the page.

WetWilly

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

hi guys
sorry ive not been online for a while ive been on vacation for a month playing with my mariah, i have tried to get my eletric hatch working but have now given up the idea and replaced the gas struts with new ones , although it works fine i still would have prefered to keep the boat as original . the old hatch motor was disconected when i bought the boat i stipped it down and found it was seized i freed it up and got it working off the battery but i cannot figure the wiring set up as the connector has two wires , one for the up and one for the down, i cant see how the earth connection runs , would it connect directly to the battery earth terminal or connect to the wiring loom somewere. any ideas

Ed Cossey

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

thanks willy

im not back to florida till march 2010 and will try and check the wiring. have you got any idea howthe hatch lift fixes to the deck of the boat as the fixing bracket is missing the hatch fixing bracket is still there .
all the best
Ed

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

I'm so glad that I found this thread. I have a 97 Shabah 180, and have those struts which lift the sunpad.

Questions:
1. Is there a switch on the instrument panel that is supposed to lift those struts?
We've had the boat for 2 months, have been lifting it by hand, which can be difficult at times.
(There is one switch on the dash that does nothing when pressed))

2. One of the struts is bent at almost a right angle, due to a friend of my daughter trying to maneuver the bimini with convertible top attached, into the storage area - I'm sure he caught the strut and pushed down on it, causing the bend. (Kids these days...):shakehead:

Thanks in advance for your response.
Jan

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

Does anyone know what pressure the sunpad lift arms should be on a Z210. The ones on mine are 20 lb and do not hold the sunpad up. I'm sure a previous owner must have replace the orginals with the wrong ones or it never had them and he installled ones that are to light.

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

I picked up a pair of 60 lb (20" open, 12" closed) gas struts from NAPA auto parts with the agreement that I could exchange them for heavier ones if needed. I installed them and they worked fine. My leverage angle is not as shallow as in WetWilly's picture so the 60's work fine for me.

Re: Seat lift mechanism?
 

Hi Willy !

For some reason my hatch lift as well as the driver seat fwd/aft switch stopped working suddenly at the same time yesterday. Would you happen to know if there is a fuse i need to change ?

Thx for your help