DZ43300 Tailgate Assist Fits 02-08 RAM 1500 and 03-09 RAM 2500/3500

Instructions good, I have a spray in bed liner that is sprayed past the side edge of the tail gate and hit on the shock. I had to use a side grinder to remove the part of the bed liner that was sticking past the edge of the side of the tail gate then turn shock upside down so small part of shock at the top then everything worked great, tail gate could close and open with no issues opening and closing. I just wish it was like a hood shock that actually help you lift it. All this does is keeps the tail gate from slamming open. It does nothing to help lift the heavy tail gate back closed.

Installed on a 2004 Dodge Ram SLT, crew cab, 5.7 ltr Hemi. Easy installation if you have a nice Torx ratchet and some bolt lubricant. I wouldn’t want to attempt to remove a 20 year old tailgate bolt with the tiny tool they provided. The size you will need is a T45. I removed the limiting washer as advised, but I did not install the plastic cable spacer. It works fine without it. It seemed like it might do damage if I did put it on. I installed a little felt pad on the upper ball of the piston to prevent any scratching on the side of the tailgate. The clearance of the piston is less than an eighth of an inch. To my amazement, it works like a charm. The hardest part for me was putting in the nutsert. At first, I didn’t tighten it enough and the ball mount didn’t seem long enough. I could not thread it into the hole. I thought it was over. The trick was to adjust the tool they provided so it pulled the threads in the nutsert out far enough for the ball mount threads to reach. I was nervous about over tightening it. It is a great upgrade for my truck for very little money, very happy so far. I hope it lasts. YouTube instructional videos help.

I am surprised at the reviews with cracked tail lights.. after installing this on my truck (06 Ram 2500) I don't even see how that is possible (maybe not following instructions?). This is very well designed and worked flawlessly on my truck. I drive a newer tacoma for work and love the tailgate assist on it. My last truck (2017 f-150) didn't have it, but those trucks are made of aluminum (body) so the tailgate isn't that heavy. The tailgate on the Ram might as well be made out of cast iron.. it's heavy as hell, so the assist shock was a must. It was very straightforward and easy to install. It integrates perfectly without having to modify anything, and it works perfect! The only negative is that the blind nut tool they give you is absolute garbage. It works, but the plastic spacer (I don't know why this is included) just gets smashed and in the way long before the blind nut tightens. Just take the spacer out, you don't need it. Or better yet, use a better blind nut tool, pretty sure it's 1/4-20. All in all, this kit is fantastic, I would recommend to anyone with a 3rd gen Ram. Couldn't be happier with the end result.

I am a very mechanically inclined person - I do all my own mechanical work. This was a little strange to install. The insert "nut" that goes on the truck tailgate did not work as it was supposed to. The directions say to set the insert nut tool to 3/4", then tighten 9 full turns (you'll understand what I'm talking about if you buy it - too hard to explain). I did as the directions said, and the nut that goes into the tailgate just flopped around. I re-tightened it about 20 turns until it seemed to snug up in the truck, and then the threads on the ball wouldn't start in the threads on the nut. I re-tightened it again, this time until it was very snug - probably more like 30-50 turns, and that held fine. Next, when installing the upper ball joint, the spring steel? clips on the ball socket on the strut simple bent out instead of springing back. I had to remove the "spring" steel, bend it closer together, and then re-install. That seemed to work ok, but I'm not sure how long that soft steel will hold the strut onto the ball. Now that it's installed, I do like it. It does rub a little on the tailgate inside, but not enough to worry about. It is nice to unlatch the tailgate and just let it fall, and after installation I really do like it. I just can't give it 5 stars because of the installation. If you are not mechanically inclined, find someone else to install it for you - it was not easy.... NOTE: Your truck may be different. I installed this on a 2010 Ram 1500. My tailgate has a somewhat "oval" hole where it looks like from the pictures in the instructions that other trucks may have a round hole that the "nut" installs into. If the hole was round, it may have been easier to set the nut. If it's like mine, you just have to go by feel - 9 turns won't get it, but too tight will ruin the insert nut - and I have no idea how you would ever remove it if you ruined it!!

Easy to install, great instructions and works really nice. Saved the old parts along with the spare clips for the shock, just incase they get corroded and need replacement. Overall I really like the way it works.

I absolutely love these; I throw them on all my trucks. Easy to install (assuming you have the appropriate tools and not major rust/locked bolts. Nice and slow drop, mostly hidden, though on my 2006 Ram 2500, the support wire for the tailgate itself frequently pops out of the tailgate and hangs outside the vehicle. Seems very durable and it's a nice, slow and soft drop.

I couldn't find any EZ Down tailgate strut applications on the market for newer Rams and came accross other buyers on the Dodge forums that have tried this unit on pre-2010 models so I gave it a try. The unit comes complete with all the standard hardware that bolts in to existing fittings without any drilling which was important to me. I bolted it up on the drivers side as instructed but did check fitment on the passengers sidebecause I was initially considering adding a second unit at first, thinking the tailgate would be too heavy. NOTE that it will not work on the passenger side due to the tailgates removable hinge design. I found that adding an additional large washer to the new strut bolt afforded clearance to the strut and prevented the strut from rubbing against the painted body and tail light assembly. Once the strut is bolted in place, the foam cable wrap will keep the factory cable from pinching between the gas strut and binding while opening/closing. One last key adjustment that prevented the factory cable from binding up against the tailgate side of the strut mount when closing was instead of removing the factory installed travel limit washer, I just flattened the tab that limited the rotation of the cable connection. I didn't want to remove the washer as it locks in place and prevents the cable mount from chaffing the paint. Overall, I would definately definately reccommend this product, my kids can now open the tailgate without fear of it being too heavy and it simply lowers down gently thanks to the gas strut. I can't believe these struts aren't installed from the factory or found more commonly in the dealers parts departments.

We have a 2009 Dodge Ram which we use primarily as our ski-trip vehicle. One of the things is when you are walking back to the car with skis and poles in your hand and you need to set the tailgate down. Normally it's a struggle to prevent dropping the tailgate with a bang (or dropping your skis or poles on the ground and having to bend over in ski boots to pick them up). Same goes if you have your hands full when approaching the truck. So for fathers day I bought and installed one of these, and it's great. Now we just walk up to the truck, pull the handle, and the tailgate opens smoothly and nicely - no thud or bangs. The tailgate falls to about 45* right away and then lowers over the next 5 seconds or so. It has worked fine in both very hot and very cold temperatures. Another advantage is less scratches on your tailgate, since you are touching it less because you don't have to baby-sit it down. Install was a breeze. I took my time and it took me 15 minutes. You could get it done in about 5 minutes if you really wanted. I don't think we'll ever own a truck without one of these now.

Easy to install and I suggest watching the Youtube video for installation.

Easy enough to install. 2 things to mention: 1. Thanks get the bolt in the truck bed out, u certainly Need a impact driver with the proper bit, and I needed to take off the light and get the torch to it, as this bolt was tight as hell. 2. I had to fidget around a bit with the plastic sleeve in the end to make sure the cable stays inside the door cavity. Pushing it all the way to the door end did the trick. Overall a nice addition, and comfortable to use afterwards.

Funciona perfectamente, fácil de instalar, solo dedicarle tiempo.

This is the 2nd one for my truck. 1st one lasted maybe 5-6 years and lost effectiveness over time to not-at-alll effective about 2 years ago and wasn't used all that much. Hoping for this one to last longer or someone to come up with a better permanent fix because the tailgate is quite heavy. Overall - I am satisfied with the new replacement. Would have replaced earlier but the price was a big consideration.

mucha utilidad para no maltratar la tapa de la caja de la pick up