Tailgate Assist Update

[oreomuffin]

Yeah, good luck with that. Typical Dee-Zee excuses. I don't know how they are still in business let alone have an in with Ford. I've stayed clear of them for YEARS now. Anybody that's been in the truck community has had to of seen their quality decline just as I have. Their lack of after-purchase support is not at all what it used to be either.

I just asked if I sourced a replacement bolt instead of waiting would they send a replacement shock. Got a reply in two minutes asking for my address. I'd say that's pretty good service.

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[Naranjita]

We're early adopters here. This is a minor problem that turns out to have a simple inexpensive solution that I can get at the fastener section of my local hardware store for pennies.

Thank you to all who were pragmatic, collaborated and came up with a work around. I now have a plan how to do this when my Mav arrives next month. Thank you, all!

 

[Naranjita]

Early adopters? Folks have been having issues with DeeZee tailgate assists for the better part of the past decade. DeeZee hasn't created anything new here. They've had these available for a long time and folks have had issues with them for a long time.

Just search DeeZee tailgate assist issues, you'll see the same broken record from Dodge forums to Ford forums, you name it. This is a very simple product, yet every-other thread online about them is a reported issue or defect.

I'm speaking Maverick centric only. And that's patently obvious. We all get you're frustrated. Thank you for your comments.

 

[kw86er]

I know everybody is confused "is it a car or a truck?" but one thing is for sure, it is a tailgate folks, not a hatchback.

 

[EMD_Driver]

Update from DeeZee:

"Ford added this bolt (the one hitting the shock) after the original fit on the test Maverick that was not yet in production. Hence, there was never a bolt in that position when the original testing was done;

Does that mean that the test Maverick didn't have tail light assemblies on it? I have a 2014 F-350 and it has the same style tail light bolts, except they don't have screwdriver slots.

Granted, there is no clearance issue on the Super Duty. If it has tail lights, it has those bolts. DeeZee needs to stand by their products better. I'm almost sure a small adjustment in the upper mounting plate would solve the issue once and for all.

If my Maverick ever gets delivered, I will test out my theory and report back!

 

[Cubican]

all these over one bolt lol

 

[chips46]

Update from DeeZee:

"Ford added this bolt (the one hitting the shock) after the original fit on the test Maverick that was not yet in production. Hence, there was never a bolt in that position when the original testing was done; also you are not the only caller on this; we have had some more.

Ford and DeeZee will have to work together on this; unfortunately, it can be a slow process."

You are saying that there was no bolt holding the tail light on. I know of a bridge in NY. that is for sale if you believe the above remarks. DeeZee is the after market producer of this product and should have known this BEFORE packaging their product.. Not Fords fault. DeeZee just need to man up and admit they made a mistake.

 

[Enderet]

I just went to parts store and bought some screws that are sold to attach license plates.
Comes with 4 screws with large round flat heads. The length is same as the one that holds tail lights. I put Cylinder up as the instructions from DeeZee shows. There is at least 3/16" clearance between the top of screw and the cylinder. Problem solved! I don't know why the cust. support at DeeZee act like they no nothing of this problem, but I did report problem as well as fix. Was told that they would notify engineering about this. This phone call to DeeZee has made me rethink if I would ever buy DeeZee brand again. Cust. support was totally clueless as to what the product was, even when I gave part # and description. Damper works great. Only plus I give.

I bought the tailgate assist and yes it rubs. So I first went to Lowes to look for a replacement screw and found none. Then remembered this post and went to Advanced Auto Parts and Oreileys. I bought a few of these kits and bolts. They seemed to be the same at the store. The screws that these kits come with are 1/4 x 3/4 inch (6.35 mm x 19.05 mm). I bought a few in different presentations in case something was off. Anyway I tried one of these screws and immediately felt that something was off once I got about a quarter into tightening the screw. There was some resistance that I did not feel with the original screw (the day before I installed LEDs for the reverse lights so I had dismounted both lights before and therefore had a feel for what the four screws felt like when going into the light housing). So i took the screw out and compared it to the OG and they dont match. Placed sideby side the thread matches until you get about halfway in and then it seems the license plate screws have a finer thread. I checked all of the various brands and makes of the same screw that I picked up and it was the same on all, so it is not a manufacturing defect. They are simply not the same screw.

I probably could have continued tightening the bolt and would have been done with it. But I didnt want to mess with the threads inside of the lighting fixture.

So I ended up simply filing down the original bolt. I wish i had done this from the beginning because it took me less time than what it took me to go to these other stores.

I am now very happy with my tailgate assist that does not rub at all. But I will be reaching out to Deezee because this is unaccetable.

So anyway, buyer beware if you go with the license plate screws. They will work, but you may be damaging the original threads.

 

[chips46]

I bought the tailgate assist and yes it rubs. So I first went to Lowes to look for a replacement screw and found none. Then remembered this post and went to Advanced Auto Parts and Oreileys. I bought a few of these kits and bolts. They seemed to be the same at the store. The screws that these kits come with are 1/4 x 3/4 inch (6.35 mm x 19.05 mm). I bought a few in different presentations in case something was off. Anyway I tried one of these screws and immediately felt that something was off once I got about a quarter into tightening the screw. There was some resistance that I did not feel with the original screw (the day before I installed LEDs for the reverse lights so I had dismounted both lights before and therefore had a feel for what the four screws felt like when going into the light housing). So i took the screw out and compared it to the OG and they dont match. Placed sideby side the thread matches until you get about halfway in and then it seems the license plate screws have a finer thread. I checked all of the various brands and makes of the same screw that I picked up and it was the same on all, so it is not a manufacturing defect. They are simply not the same screw.

I probably could have continued tightening the bolt and would have been done with it. But I didnt want to mess with the threads inside of the lighting fixture.

So I ended up simply filing down the original bolt. I wish i had done this from the beginning because it took me less time than what it took me to go to these other stores.

I am now very happy with my tailgate assist that does not rub at all. But I will be reaching out to Deezee because this is unaccetable.

So anyway, buyer beware if you go with the license plate screws. They will work, but you may be damaging the original threads.

The screws I used did not have different thread part way, but they did have a security pin in the middle of the head. I got them at a department store. Maybe if enough complain Deezee will put a replacement screw with the kit. hahaha


NOTE TO DEEZEE THESE SCREWS ARE WHAT FORD USED TO MAKE THE TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can find the same screw all over the truck.

 

[papak]

Once you determine the bolt diameter and pitch, you can order stainless steel button-head bolts from McMaster-Carr. They are lower profile and should work perfectly.

 

[Chandonnet]

I didn’t realize this was still an issue, it has nothing to do with the screw. All you have to do is rotate the plate slightly to the rear so it moves the centerline of the strut slightly further back.

 

[testa422]

or you could just live with it? some paint coming off the shock or maybe some rust...get a new shock for like $10...black paint on a screw or maybe even the screw starts to rust...new screw for $1. I don't understand this issue

 

[kmish203]

or you could just live with it? some paint coming off the shock or maybe some rust...get a new shock for like $10...black paint on a screw or maybe even the screw starts to rust...new screw for $1. I don't understand this issue

First off, these dampers are $50, not $10. Second, this is an accessory sold on Ford's website. Ford put their stamp on this as being compatible with the Maverick. It's supposed to work flawlessly and it doesn't. If you don't understand why this is an issue then this thread was not meant for you.

 

[testa422]

First off, these dampers are $50, not $10. Second, this is an accessory sold on Ford's website. Ford put their stamp on this as being compatible with the Maverick. It's supposed to work flawlessly and it doesn't. If you don't understand why this is an issue then this thread was not meant for you.

I know what they cost…I have one. A replacement shock would be easy to find anywhere for $10. It is compatible with the maverick and does exactly what it’s meant to do

 

[jc888888888]

I didn’t realize this was still an issue, it has nothing to do with the screw. All you have to do is rotate the plate slightly to the rear so it moves the centerline of the strut slightly further back.

this is the fix? seems simple

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