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Is there a tailgate assist that will fit 2012SD from Ford? I did search but only came up with the DeeZee or Sachs type. Will the 2017 F-150/350 hidden pivot type work on older trucks?
For the price, I went the DeeZee route - so far, no complaints - was 28 this morning when I went to the dump, hit the release on the tailgate and it came down nice and slow
Just for grins I checked the book for the 2015 and the part numbers are the same as Larry posted.
Called my parts dealer in Iowa and he gave me the following:
402A68: $88.82
430B22: $25.95
43052: $25.10
I have looked at the DeeZee and other offerings...I personally just don't like the looks of external stuff-especially in an area the could see a errant impact every now and then. I really like the setup Ford has for the F150s...
There are some photos of the parts in the FL3Z-99406A10-A kit on this eBay link. The photos might assist in determining if it can fit or be made to fit. It appears the "shock" is hidden behind the tail light.
Working on it now...I think the biggest hurdle to cross will be the weight damping feature...the F150s are aluminum...
Going to pull my tailgate and get a weight on it...then calculate the moments of inertia and the 1 deg points of the 89 degree swing...
Thinking that the tailgate weight would preclude a piston damper-then there is the size limitation to keep it tucked neatly behind the taillight. The piston would have to be huge though-there is a lot of space behind the taillight....maybe a rotary damper would be better suited.
Working on it now...I think the biggest hurdle to cross will be the weight damping feature...the F150s are aluminum...
Going to pull my tailgate and get a weight on it...then calculate the moments of inertia and the 1 deg points of the 89 degree swing...
Thinking that the tailgate weight would preclude a piston damper-then there is the size limitation to keep it tucked neatly behind the taillight. The piston would have to be huge though-there is a lot of space behind the taillight....maybe a rotary damper would be better suited.
My son gave me the DeeZee last Christmas and it works great! I believe LMC truck carries a torsion bar that I had on a RAM and thought it was great. Don't know if they make if for Super Dutys
I installed a Hopkins EasyLift about 10 years ago. I have opened/closed my tailgate at least two times a week since then. It has held up well, and may have been the best $20.00 modification I've made to the truck. Very simple design with no struts to leak. The price is higher after 10 years, but this is the same item I purchased. I've had very good service from etrailer.com.
BTW, the enclosed instructions said our steel tailgates weigh 70 lbs. and recommended you have someone to help get it off and on. I did mine myself, though.