[fordexpoman]

Has anyone installed these on their Lightnings? I just want to make sure they fit before I order one.

http://www.deezee.com/Truck-Bed-Accessories/Tailgate-Assist/Truck-Tailgate-Assist/p32813

 

[Thegoon]

Here you go.....



http://www.lightningrodder.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210953&highlight=Tailgate+assist

 

[fordexpoman]

Thank you.

 

[SVT F-150]

Waste of time. It barely slows the L's gate down.

 

[svtwhiterocket]

That's not true mine goes down very slow once it's a third way down

 

[Throttle Jockey]

There isn't a kit specific to the L/HD but through the trials and tribulations of others the best approach is to use:

-Dee Zee Ford shock DZ43203
-Dee Zee Dodge hardware kit DZ43300

This mod consist of a three piece install, the shock, and the upper and lower mounting hardware.

I know the upper mount is from the Dodge hardware kit, I'm not sure if the bottom mount from the Dodge kit can be used or if it has to be from the Ford kit. Hopefully someone can answer that question because I just bought a Ford shock with no hardware kit for $17 so I'm hoping I didn't jump the gun.

In other threads I've seen the Dodge hardware kit quoted at $9 but apparently the kits must be ordered directly from Dee Zee.

http://www.lightningrodder.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216673

 

[fordexpoman]

Thanks for the input

 

[Throttle Jockey]

There isn't a kit specific to the L/HD but through the trials and tribulations of others the best approach is to use:

-Dee Zee Ford shock DZ43203
-Dee Zee Dodge hardware kit DZ43300

I just spoke with and placed an order through Dee Zee. Talking with the representative I was able to get some clarification that may help others piecing this together in the future.

Dee Zee part numbers beginning with "DZ" are complete kits (shocks and mounting hardware) whereas part numbers beginning with "BKT" are only the mounting hardware. For example, Ford kit DZ43203 is the complete Ford kit whereas BKT43203 is only the mounting hardware used for the complete kit.

With this in mind to Frankenstein together a kit for our trucks the following items are needed:
-Dee Zee Ford shock/bracket kit - DZ43203
-Dodge bracket kit - BKT43300

I know the upper mount is from the Dodge hardware kit, I'm not sure if the bottom mount from the Dodge kit can be used or if it has to be from the Ford kit.

The Dee Zee representative confirmed that there is a difference between the lower shock mount between the Ford and Dodge kits. The hex base of the lower shock mount of the Ford hardware is thicker than the hex base of the lower shock mount of the Dodge kit.

In this thread it is recommended to use the Dodge hardware for both the top and bottom shock mount, but if you refer to post #17 you'll see that Redlightning_II noticed that the shock rubbed the tailgate so he used a nylon spacer to shim the shock. This leads me to believe that it is better to use the Ford lower mount since the thicker base essentially serves the same purpose as redlightning_II's nylon shim.

Redapple and XBMX... you both recommend using the lower shock mount from the Dodge kit and to drill the hole in the tailgate for the lower bracket nut-sert slightly higher (3/8"-3/4"). Do either of you thick it will be possible to use the Ford lower shock hardware with the hole drilled higher or will the larger diameter nut-sert cause issues?

Here a few pics showing the difference between the Ford and Dodge lower mount that I explained above.

Ford lower mount

Dodge lower mount

Redlightning_II's shimmed Dodge lower mount

From what I'm gathering I believe the ideal configuration is to use the Dodge upper mount in conjunction with Ford shock and lower mount, and to drill the hole in the tailgate for the lower mount nut-sert about 1/2" higher so the tailgate cables get taunt before the shock reaches full extension. This should alleviate undue stress on the lower shock mount.

 

[MiDiabl0]

We sell these at my shop. We install them often. I cannot get the Ford Kit (or a modified Ford kit w/Dodge hardware) to work due to a damn bracket that is on the HD Tailgate, that is NOT present on the standard F150 tailgate.

Anyone remove this bracket from their HD tailgate? I don't want to cut it just to install this $30 upgrade, lol.