I just bought a 96 pse and I am trying to find after-market lift supports for my rear hatch lid. Every store I've been to says they only make after market up to the 94 pse. Is this true? Did Ford really alter the lift support or can I just buy a set for an older probe and install them on my car. Thanks for the advice!

If you feel really adventurous, you can measure the pivot to pivot points on your hatch and an approximate weight of the door.  With this information, you can contact various companies, such as CR Lawrence and order supports that will do the job.  I am a design engineer and have done this for several of applications in my work.  If need be, they can also be custom made for each application.  I know it sounds like a hassle, but you can then tailor your supports for you hatch.  I find that the supports on my 97 are to dampening and do not allow smooth opening of the hatch.

Scott
97 Gold Base, 5sp.

i believe JC Whitney had them in there last catalog and the listing was for 93-97.....so it should'nt matter what year probe you have. The only difference was they had 2 part #'s: one for a hatch w/ a spoiler and one for without a spoiler. Hope this helps. jay 93 se

The reason for the different part numbers is due to weight.  The spoiler adds weight, thus resistance.  The supports themselves are very easy to come by, just make sure the length and weight rating is sufficient.

Scott
97 base

Hey I just had to buy lift supports for my hatch on my 93 probe base model. when they brought it up on the computer they seemed to have all years and models of the probe. I got it at "advanced auto parts" in pittsburgh pa. Any questions please contact me. Pat S. 93 probe base >

I have a 95 SE, and found mine at Advance Auto Parts, you can order them online at http://www.advanceautoparts.com/ if you don't have one local, looks like they run $21.99 each.        John            

the only thing is mine have this little bracket on the end, and i'm having a hard time finding an exact match.

A friend will help you move, a good friend will help you move the body....

A good friend will come bail you out of jail.......... but, a true friend
will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn... we fucked up"

Love, Kris

Did they give you the right one's, they make them for probes with spoilers, and with out spoilers. I had that problem with Auto Zone, but Advance had the one with the bracket for my Probe        John            

Try JC Whitney's catalogs. I believe they carry them but I am not sure what they cost. If memory serves me correctly, the price was cheaper than the quoted dealer price (always ludicrously higher than aftermarket and sometimes of lesser quality). Also, just a note to everyone - I replaced my plugs this weekend with Bosch +4's. What a difference they make in throttle response. They are a bit expensive but they are guaranteed for life. And if you don't like them, Bosch will buy them back from you. Chris > >

hello kris,      I had the same problem a couple of years ago. I just went to autozone and told the associate that I needed two gas-filled lift support for a ford probe and he got it for me right away. I paid about $55. for both of 'em. but lately I have seen a couple of them on ebay and it was up for auction for about $10. for both. try to check it out coz I got a lot of modifications for my probe there at rock bottom prices. good luck!                                                                                                    probep7

I have heared some pretty good feedback about bosch +4s. I was thinking of getting it too but tell me, is there really a substantial difference? is the difference worth the cost? would you recommend me to replace my plugs given that I just replaced them two months ago? thanks and keep on probin'.                                                                                       probep7

it doesn?t have to be an exact match. I disposed of my bracket when I installed the new one that doesn?t need a bracket. as long as the screw holes are of the same distance and size, you should be okay.                                                                                                               probep7  

I thought the difference was pretty amazing. The throttle response became instantaneous and had a much smoother power curve moving up through the RPMs. However, my old plugs were in terrible shape so I'm not quite sure what the comparison would be between a set of new ones and the +4s. But the +4's have to be conducting more spark with the quad prongs on them.

I'd buy them again :)

Chris

i have the 4+'s also and they are fantastic, they made a hell of a difference when i put them in wires are next...

Love, Kris

3 and 4 prong are more for forced induction but they will work the same as split fires on a naturally aspirated motor...and you cant ever "gain" horsepower out of plugs...just get back what was lost from old plugs...without more air or fuel u cant gain more power...
jeremy

I got replacement lift supports from Advance a few years ago. I seem to remember paying about 20 bucks for each; they are warranted for life as long as I own my Probe. The new supports didn't have the bracket you mention, Kris, but I just used one hole on each side instead of two. The new supports raised the hatch higher than the stock ones, so I had to increase the length of the cords that lift the "trunk" cover when opening the hatch. Also it would help to have an assistant when you replace your supports, as the hatch is VERY heavy. Believe it or not, your existing supports are actually providing some lift. Aloha, Michael

tks,  guys i will try advanced, but as far as having an assistant, i already took off both lift supports and have to lift it by myself now as it is. so it really NOT that heavy, but thanks for your concern micheal. I appreciate all ya'll's help. kris