Gas strut installation on laying box lid

When I did a search under gas strut, what came up was gas pricing and the word strut on a chicken forum produced too many hits so I read a few pages in the coop & run forum. I still couldn't find what I was looking for so here goes a construction question.

I want to install a gas strut, like an automotive lift gate strut, on my egg laying box lid. We live in an archaic city that won't allow chickens in town, so our birds are at Mom's house which is a whole 10 minutes from me. My mother said that we built the door lid too heavy for her to open so I want to add a strut that will allow easier opening for my elderly Mom. The door is about 2' X 5' and 2" thick: it's insulated. I have the strut and the mounting balls but am unsure exactly where to mount them to make the whole thing work the right way.

I'm thinking just one strut on one side of the bow, but if that doesn't work I can add a second strut.

Here is a good shot of the lid from a number of weeks ago earlier in the construction process:

How handy are you?
Is the strut short enough in the closed position to fit inside the nest box?
Is it long enough in the open position to hold the lid open far enough for access?

You'll have to play with it to see if it will work.
You could test mount it on the outside of the nest box to make sure you have the attachment locations correct, then mount it on the inside.

Very quick sketch to show what I am thinking.


You could also modify the nest box with doors on the front of the nests for easier access.
Like this:

Thanks for your thoughts.