Probably a radio control servo would be better, lots more power, smaller, and easier to control.
What are you actually trying to do?, it's quite possible there may be a better way of doing it - this way is rather crude (a bit like using a broom handle for a remote control!).
My son asked me a similar question a while ago. While not a direct answer - consider a piston driven by compressed air with a small compressor and storage tank tucked away. Lots of cars have compressors for levelling systems so something could be found at a junkyard.
A vacuum motor can supply a lot of linear force with maybe a couple of inches movement. The vacuum is supplied by the engine - be careful not to admit that much air or you'll affect the operation of the engine. Lots of small vacuum motors can be found on heating controls of cars. Large ones are used on older cruise control systems.
A passive method - the "strongarms" or gas filled pistons used to hold hatchbacks or rear windows open might work. You'd push it down and latch it in the lower position - unlatch and let it open.