Dee Zee DZ43301 Truck Tailgate Assist
- Safely Controls The Drop Rate Of Truck Tailgates
- Custom Designed For Each Make And Model
- High Quality and Extensively Tested For Heavy Use
- Works In Conjunction With Factory Cables
- Only One Tailgate Assist Required Per Vehicle
- ram & rebel model 1500 2009-2018 Ram 2010-2018 2500/3500
Skippy El
Great product, easy to install - with a caveat
I'm not mechanically inclined, and this item only took me about 30 minutes to install. There are a couple of helpful videos on youtube that will help you, and they actually perform the steps in a different order than on the Dee Zee paper instructions. A word to the wise: have a T45 Torx drive bit socket handy, because the T45 Torx wrench included with the kit wasn't up to the task of removing the bolt holding the tailgate cable to the truck frame due to heavy amount of factory Loctite (see picture). Another hint is to make a mark on the nut ON THE SIDE FACE of the nutsert tool to keep track of the 9 turns you are supposed to apply. It makes it easy to count as you use the wrench to tighten it down. So far the item works great, with only a tiny amount of rubbing on the inner tailgate wall by the cable. I applied some of the mylar provided by Dee Zee which will protect the paint. Overall, I'm pleased. Highly recommended.
Mylene Mylene
Good concept but.....
Watched the video and followed the instructions. I was actually following the video during installation. The thread on the blind nut is pretty much gone. I can easily push the ball mount almost all the way in. So now I have a product I can’t even use! Update: 26 Sep, I contacted DeeZee customer service and they’re sending me the whole installation kit. They were very friendly and eager to help. I’m updating my grade to 3 stars based on the customer service experience. If it works the next go around the rating should go up. Update: 29 Sep, received the installation kit from DeeZee. Followed the instructions again just like the first time. This time it worked perfectly!!
EL Bitar Hanna Arze
2010 Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab
Aside from not being able to find my 13 mm & 11mm wrenches, this was an easy set up. I went very slowly & followed the instructions to the letter. I think it took 30 minutes. I did the 9 turns to seat the first part & it was still a bit twisty, so I bery slowly & gently went 1, then a 2 more turns. I ended up with 11 turns to seat it firmly. I made sure to put the loctite on every threaded part, they all went in smoothly. The shock snapped on easily, but I am a strong guy, so if you are having trouble, grab a friend & a small rubber mallet. A gentle tap should seat the ends of the shock without any trouble. I am mechanically inclined, but this is a simple project that just about any skill level can do. Just have the right tools ready in advance & you should succeed.
Leah Endozo Ornales
One product that meets all expectations.
I ordered this item for my 2011 Ram 1500 sport so I could open the gate while my hands were full and not have to worry about it slamming down. I read the instructions and watched the installation video, gathered up the necessary tools, laid them on the tailgate and began. Beginning to end, including deciding to put the Mylar patch on the inside of the gate where the cable stop rubbed it, was approximately 10-15 minutes. Everything installed as indicated without any glitches or hiccups and without having to make any concessions or adjustments to allow for variables as there were none to compensate for at all. This was a textbook job. As for the shipping...I received it in about 2 days via free standard shipping. The product itself... I couldn't be happier with it. It allows the gate to drop at a slow but steady controlled speed without slamming unnecessarily. The best part is when raising the gate back up it doesn't add any noticeable resistance. It's like it isn't there. Don't let what some have said about the insert insulation in the hole at the bottom that receives the stud worry you. It worked as described and as demonstrated in the video. Anyone having trouble with it should trade in their wrenches for spatulas and take up baking. It worked perfectly.
Victor Cassara
I wouldn't have a truck without this!!!
I own two of these now, one on a 2010 Ram 1500 and one on a 16 Ram Rebel. I wouldn't have a truck without one of these. I've had the first one installed for over five years and 250k miles. It makes the tailgate easy to open, especially if your hands are full - you can pop the latch and let it "fall" on its own. It doesn't sound like much, but it is really appreciated, plus it eliminates a heavy tailgate from falling or you having to hold the weight of the tailgate. Install was easy mechanically, but the "nutsert" is ridiculous. Do NOT remove the bearing before install. I also found that on my Ram trucks, the amount of turns in the directions was nowhere near what it really took to get it to "bite". It may be the way the hole in the gate is designed, but it seemed impossible to tighten by following the directions. I found after installing the second kit (5 years later on the new truck) that it was the same way - you just have to kind of "feel" for it to expand and hold. On the first try (both times) I ran out of thread and had to re-install the bolt to get it to hold. It does work, but it's frustrating the first time you do it.
Patrick J Dougherty
Great concept
Installed on my 2016 ram 1500 and after roughly a year and a half on the truck the coupling that attaches to the ball on tailgate failed and cracked also tailgate attachment is loose. Cracked and I know continually have to make sure the tail get is attached before I let my tailgate slam down! I have not gotten ahold of the seller and will be doing that after the review then I will be updating this. Also I will attach pictures shortly. I really enjoyed the product while it lasted but sadly it broke quite quick. UPDATE: contacted DeeZee, having a new lift assist sent. No hassle getting a new one just asked for pictures and proof of purchase. Thank you DeeZee for standing behind your product.
Carmen Bxc Loyd
I love this product
I love this product. I was having trouble with my tailgate slamming down when I would try to pull it down bc it’s so heavy. When my tailgate would slam down it was denting the outside slamming down onto my bumper and I just bought this brand new beautiful expensive truck so I quit using the tailgate to avoid tearing it up. Until now that I have this hydraulic arm on there now my tailgate very easily drops down without denting up my bad a$$ truck. I was skeptical at first since it was so cheap I thought for sure it would be one of those you get what you pay for deals and this was cheap so I was worried the product it self was cheaply made. Thank god I gave it a chance bc it’s been great and I’ve had it installed for several months without any issues. Thanks so much.
Carey Jordan
Very easy Install for me, but...
The installation was quite easy. On the truck side, removing the cable and nut, and installing the adaptor takes just minutes, however, the part that gets crimped on the inside of the tailgate to receive the ball screw was a challenge. Holding the hex nut while turning the bolt, the bolt became stripped after a few turns. Soft metal. So I had to go with visegrips to grab the stripped nut and finish the remaining turns. It worked though. Once that was done, everything else was easy as pie. 10 minute job with the right sized tools. Now, my concern. I pop the tailgate open, and it falls nearly half way down before the assist kicks in. I was alarmed at first, as the tailgate was falling open full force, but then the shock kicks in and the remaining half opening was a smooth slow open. Not sure if this is normal, but that first fall of the tailgate was a free fall. Seems like the shock should begin to assist the fall much earlier than half way. As long as it stays that way, I can anticipate and adapt thought, but still, its worth mentioning. Maybe Dee Zee can chime in and remark if this is normal or not. I still give a 5 star, but I'll monitor other similar concerns.
Irene Maciulis
Excellent end result - one step should be added to the instructions
I'll give the product 5 stars for the end result. The directions, at least on the RAM 1500, leave a touch to be desired. TIP: To avoid some major frustration, don't try and install this as soon as you get it. Rather, adjust the nutsert tool to the 3/4" spacing they mention in the directions - then, take the nutsert off the bolt and put a couple of lines of the blue thread lock on the bolt. Then put the nutsert back on there and let it sit for 24 hours. If you don't do this, when you go to tighten down the nutsert tool, you'll see that the nutsert just spins and won't expand as needed to lock it in place. SUPER FRUSTRATING. I cannot emphasize this enough - without doing this step, be prepared for hyper annoyance. Note: The nutsert I received with my kit was faulty - no matter what you try, it would not expand. I ended up calling their customer service line and they were awesome. I told them the problem and they UPS'd me a new nutsert kit free of charge. I had the new set in about 3 days. Excellent customer service. Once I had the new nutsert and did the thread lock trick mentioned above, installation took me about 30 minutes. Very please with the end result. The tailgate opens very gently now which is exactly what I wanted. Now I don't have to worry about my kids breaking or getting hurt by the tailgate when they open it. For the price, I'm very happy with the end result.
Yvonne Hines
Impress your friends.
Did I "need" this? no. Will I replace it if it ever goes bad? Heck yeah. This make lowering a heavy tailgate a breeze, it has saved me more than once while towing a trailer, the gate slipped from my hand, the shock slowed the gate enough for me to grab it and stop it before contacting the trailer jack. The shock is easy to install, just read the entire directions first, there are some tips to make it easier, add a little lubricant to the nutsert tool to make it work smoother. Update: it has been a full year of use, it still works flawlessly, just make sure to follow directions and tighten the compression nuts completely.