[gsadmin]

What if you fabricated a sliding mechanism for the base portion. I would use a piece of aluminum with a slot cut in it and attached with standoffs to the base. then, the base of the strut would mount to a plate that would have a stud (with a teflon bushing) that would ride in the slot. the length of the slot would be equal to the distance the slide goes out. The strut would then work when in the "out" or "in" bed position.

My rear bed operates in this fashion as well. I have this on my long list of to-do's so i don't know when i will get to attempting it.