My first mod that should be standard on Mavericks - tailgate assist strut / shock

[Glen Baker LLC]

This is a subject I have wondered about for the last couple of years: why does the tailgate need a shock? It seems obvious to me that if you owned the previous generation of Ranger, with a tailgate 2/3 as tall, and double the weight, the Maverick would be a breeze. I admit I do not understand the need to sacrifice a useful feature just to be able to open and then drop the tailgate when you are standing right there anyway. Truly a puzzle to me.

What useful feature has to be sacrificed?

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[Solo]

This is a subject I have wondered about for the last couple of years: why does the tailgate need a shock? It seems obvious to me that if you owned the previous generation of Ranger, with a tailgate 2/3 as tall, and double the weight, the Maverick would be a breeze. I admit I do not understand the need to sacrifice a useful feature just to be able to open and then drop the tailgate when you are standing right there anyway. Truly a puzzle to me.

Well... It's was one of the first accessories I had installed on mine. I have arthritic shoulders, so 'catching' the tailgate on the way down is a hassle for me. I had the dealer order and install it, so they picked the brand and all; it happens mine opens quickly enough. I think it's the 'DeeZee' one. But, to each his own.

 

[Lane]

I don't buy accessories just for the reason to bolt as much extra junk on the truck like it seems a lot of people do. But I do appreciate the strut for a few reasons.

Only a few times in my life have I opened the tailgate and accidently let it fall to an open position under its own weight. I really don't like that very unexpected sh*t-my-pants BANG! Someday I'll be older where that has to be a heart attack risk. Dang is that loud.

When I have full hands/arms, I can lift the gate latch with any particular finger and allow the gate to drop to open position slowly without me having to lower it there by hand.

For those who have added the strut and removed the factory tie-down bracket -

If you'd like a replacement tie down bracket that doesn't interfere with the strut or cable, I'm selling a few that I've made. Details are in my thread here.

 

[lukamagic]

tbh i haven't really thought about modding my tailgate, it seems to work fine as is. but i guess if you're carrying a lot of stuff it could be useful?

 

[Maverick 24!]

My first was a smart rearview mirror with HomeLink, my second was the tailgate shock. Both should be standard, but Ford is trying to hold down the list price, which is kinda why they make them at all...

Just installed the Rough Country tailgate shock.

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[Oscarcat]

The damper was the first mod I added to both my Mavs [EB pictured and the hybrid that replaced it]

With the damper, you can unlatch it and remove your hand without the inelegant crash of the tailgate. When my hands are full it makes a difference. I love the "D" ring tie down in the post above. Now I gotta have one too.

 

[JPinPA]

Just installed the Rough Country tailgate shock.

Tailgate piston was my first mod too. (Easy and inexpensive)

 

[Criss944]

I had my Maverick for about 6 months before adding a tail gate dampener. I was surprised how much I like it. I also added d-rings to both sides of the tailgate, leaving the bottle opener on the passenger side.

P.S. The piston seal will last longer if the piston is mounted on top.

 

[Sruperth]

Adding the Strut was one of my first mods to my 22 Maverick. I added the strut because when other people open the tailgate they just let it drop. Before installing the strut, my son opened the tailgate and just let it drop. I said no more of that... It was an easy install and my son does not even realize the difference.

 

[Maverick 24!]

I put one on my Maverick and it does the job well.

 

[1929]

The Maverick tailgate is lightweight and easy to open/close, I don't have a need for this.

Same. It offers no advantage to me.

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