I am looking to upgrade the cylinder on my Ultrex. With the Humminbird 360 and the Target lock with live scope all tied in, it is hard to lift that rascal up.
Any suggestions or an upgrade on the lifting cylinder?

Thanks,

I know some stuff about it:
There is a replacement mount by Minnkota for that purpose that came out after some figured out a way to get more lift assist.
https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.co...lock-and-mega-360-ultrex-accessory-mount

Transducer Shield and Saver has an add-on dual gas spring kit: https://www.transducershieldandsaver.com/order/product/lift-assist-booster-l-a-b/

Someone in Virginia was making a kit with a stronger gas spring, but quit doing it around the first of the year after sales dropped off. Said he might do it again if there is enough interest/volume.
He is Ron Meadows on Bass Boat Central.

Minnkota has a stronger replacement gas spring for the 2023/2024 motors that get MEGA LIVE Target Lock/MEGA 360 added. But there is no template to locate the cylinder end attachment. It is basically what Ron Meadows was doing to the older mount except his attachment uses three screws instead of Minnkota's two screws.

I had this done to mine: it is a custom hand made one-at-a-time block with some mount parts modifications to make it fit. It uses the stock gas springs. The picture is the original one by the person that made it. Mine was the second one done that way.

Thanks Wayne.
I am not a member of BBC, do you have Ron Meadows email where I can email him and see about him doing me his upgrade?
If not the only option I think that would be the best for me is to order the factory upgrade, Item # 1854082 these are going for $450.00. but really this does not tell you just how much of an improvement it will do for you.
If I were in my 20's or 30's it really would not matter but now in my 60's it does matter about the weight.

Along with all the PMing, if that mount is not strong enough, you could swap the gas spring for the one that is in the 1854081 mount if it is more powerful. Have not seen any specs on those mounts.

Just from what I have been reading I think there might be a difference in the "bend" of the brackets which makes the older units( pre-2023) not fit the Ultrex models newer than 2023.

I had to replace the yoke on my Ultrex so I purchased that along with the largest gas cylinder MK had available for the Ultrex, (860N). I tore it down and flipped the cylinder up and the gas cylinder comes stock with the 860N.
I did notice from pictures on the Minn Kota site that the gas cylinder used for the extra weight for the 360 and Mega lock lifting is a 1089N, but they are not interchangeable....

I may go looking on Amazon or some gas cylinder site and see if I can find a stronger cylinder that would fit the Ultrex. I'm not ready to pull the trigger on buying the complete housing for $460 to upgrade the lift.

I did get the yoke replace, that was the good news.

1 more update. I did find a shop in North Carolina that can pretty much make whatever size gas cylinder and strength you want. You can get it in steel or Stainless steel.
Best i could come up with was a 14mm shaft, 28mm cylinder and I got it with 1300n compression strength. The length is 260.35 mm long but it will have a 10mm bolt eye on both ends to hook up.
The steel model was only $60 so I ordered that one and will see if this will fit onto my Ultrex. If not, I gave it a good try.

I finally just gave up and ordered the complete new base which has the larger gas spring in it. I found it at Hodges for $50 less than anyone else. I have already taken everything off the boat to install the new base tomorrow.
If I were a younger guy I would not really think about it but being in my mid 60’s I find it necessary to get it for my back sakes.

I installed the new base on my Ultrex. The new cylinder is much larger than the one in the factory Ultrex. It does pull up a lot easier now, but the question everyone has to ask themselves is it worth it? In my case it was, just not tugging and snatching the lanyard over and over again is worth it down the road.