Best Tailgate assist on Amazon

[BlackMav23]

Number one I think DeeZee wanted it mounted that way out of vanity, so that their name showed. Common sense would have dictated it be mounted the other way around for the reasons I stated in a previous post.
As far as the tailgate dropping it has to drop because the first 10/15 degrees there's no compression from the strut, as a transitions from straight up and down to an angled position.
As I show in my attached video and picture.
Subsequently there is going to be some free fall before the strut has some resistance from pressure.

Both of mine were mounted exactly like yours (that's how DeeZee shows in the manual) but it still froze up solid. That's the large end on top with the broken bracket attached to the inside of the bed. Slim end faces down and attaches to the gate.

The first one was smooth as butter until it broke. Second one had a rapid drop... nothing like yours.

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[Gullzway]

The Dee Zee DZ43207 is the official one that Ford sells and it goes on and works well. It is a little pricey. I used Fordpass points to buy mine.

That's the one I have, but it was $28 back in 2022. No issues with mine.

 

[BlackMav23]

No one else tried any other manufacturers?

Now that I recall, DeeZee customer service never responded to me so Amazon just sent me another even though I'd had it over a year. Hence the reason I'd love to try another manufacturer.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I bought the DeeZee and it doesn't engage for about the first 10 inches either. If I need to replace it, I will probably try the roughcountry one.

If you buy the Rough Country tailgate struts remember to mount them with the larger cylinder end up not like they show it in their advertising material.

This is the correct way to mount your tailgate strut.
Cylinder at the TOP

 

[BlackMav23]

These are reported to be compatible with tailgate assists.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D94C672B?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Could not visualize what the hell you meant by that. Makes sense now that I see it in a review.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Taz357]

If you buy the rough country tailgate struts remember to mount them with the larger cylinder end up not like they show it in their advertising material.

Any more recent thoughts on tailgate assist options?

I had a DeeZee on my 2023. It ended up freezing solid one night and I broke the bracket forcing the tailgate open. They sent me another, but to be honest I wasn't happy with it. Took way too long for it to engage. Kinda fell open and then at the last second would slow down. I ended up leaving it on my 2023 when I traded it in.

Looking for a better option for my 2025.

I have been using the DeeZee for a year and actually absolutely love it. I haven’t given it a second thought. I love that I can open the tailgate with full hands and step back. I don’t even notice that it falls a bit. In fact, I just had to go out and open it to see. I don’t even notice it. Sorry you had problems. I would imagine any brand would work the same.

 

[The Real Maverick]

My DeeZee from 2022 has been perfect. Flawless. Awesome smooth operation.

I use it 2-3x a week.

Number of times I have missed having a bottle opener on that side? Zero.

Number of times I have used the bottle opener on the other side? Zero.

Frequency of hauling long lumber?
6 to 8 times a year.

Utility of the DeeZee is 100x better than the mostly useless bottle opener. And there is zero need to tie stuff to your tailgate. Really. Never use it, never miss it.

 

[dukeourl]

I bought the DeeZee today and will give it a go.. I appreciate all of the info provided in this thread!

 

[BlackMav23]

I bought the DeeZee today and will give it a go.. I appreciate all of the info provided in this thread!

If you don't mind please let me know how it goes. Maybe upload a video of you have a chance.

Seems like DeeZee is the go to manufacturer for this product. I was very happy with my first model until it froze. But between the poor customer service and replacement model that performed quite differently I'm leery of purchasing from them again.

 

[Ryom]

The only thing that annoyed me about the DeeZee was getting the anchor bolt to grab inside the tailgate properly. Having another set of hands to tension the bolt while tightening would have been a big help. I modified the steps a bit, putting the shock on and pulling on that to get enough tension for the bolt to grab inside.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I bought the DeeZee today and will give it a go.. I appreciate all of the info provided in this thread!

If you don't mind please let me know how it goes. Maybe upload a video of you have a chance.

Seems like DeeZee is the go to manufacturer for this product. I was very happy with my first model until it froze. But between the poor customer service and replacement model that performed quite differently I'm leery of purchasing from them again.

Here is a good video on the installation of the tailgate assist damper, including the reason why it should be mounted cylinder up.

 

[BlackMav23]

Here is a good video on the installation of the tailgate assist damper, including the reason why it should be mounted cylinder up.

Again... both of mine were mounted cylinder up, just like in the instructions from DeeZee below and just like in my picture of the broken one that locked up. No one is debating the logic as to why it should be installed in that manner.

That said, I wasn't happy with the function of the replacement model and want to see if a recently purchased/installed model still drops rapidly before I give them another chance.

 

[BlackMav23]

My second model was nothing like the video you posted. It would drop almost all the way before slowing.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

 

[Signel]

I have the OMT and it works fine. It doesn't slow the tailgate down until it opens about 10% first, and then slows it substantially. I figure I can always buy another one later so no big deal. Well worth it IMO.

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