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Old Feb 7, 2018 | 05:19 PM
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tailgate assist

OK, I'm looking at a tailgate assist for my 18 STX. DEE ZEE makes one that looks pretty simple. The Ford assist is much cleaner, the install I saw on youtube has the shock behind the tail light. My question is, do all of the trucks have the anchor behind the tail light or just some higher trim levels?
 
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Old Feb 7, 2018 | 06:37 PM
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Does the part # list your trim? I used the oem on my 2016 f150, and the anchor was there.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2018 | 10:17 AM
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My daughter's 2015 XLT had the fitting in there.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2018 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by 2020
OK, I'm looking at a tailgate assist for my 18 STX. DEE ZEE makes one that looks pretty simple. The Ford assist is much cleaner, the install I saw on youtube has the shock behind the tail light. My question is, do all of the trucks have the anchor behind the tail light or just some higher trim levels?

Mine is a 2017 Lariat and it DID NOT have the mount on the inside. I bought the "shock" and the ball mount separately CHEAPER than I could have bought the whole kit with both of those parts. I painted my bracket Ingot Silver to match. Installation was easy, and did not have to completely remove the tailgate.
 
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Old Apr 10, 2018 | 11:04 AM
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I purchased the Dee Zee from Amazon (about a year ago), put it on in 10 minutes. I have a 2016 XL Sport and it works great, no modifications and had everything I needed.
 
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Old Apr 10, 2018 | 11:24 AM
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I used the ford one on my 2018 STX. It works great, just be warned the screws are stubborn and you will need an impact.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2018 | 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by 2020
OK, I'm looking at a tailgate assist for my 18 STX. DEE ZEE makes one that looks pretty simple. The Ford assist is much cleaner, the install I saw on youtube has the shock behind the tail light. My question is, do all of the trucks have the anchor behind the tail light or just some higher trim levels?
I just installed one on mine. They all have the anchor point. If you do get one and install it here are a couple of things I can tell you. The tail light sticks in place. Be careful taking it out. The tailgate doesn’t have to be completely removed. Just put some shop towels on the bumper and unhook the right side. Make sure the new hinge is exactly in the paint marks of the old one so the gaps remain the same. To me it is a inexpensive add on that works well.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2018 | 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Bandera
Mine is a 2017 Lariat and it DID NOT have the mount on the inside. I bought the "shock" and the ball mount separately CHEAPER than I could have bought the whole kit with both of those parts. I painted my bracket Ingot Silver to match. Installation was easy, and did not have to completely remove the tailgate.
....Are you saying that your 2017 Lariat didn`t come with the tailgate assist already installed from the factory?

Wow....I guess Ford changed it in 2017.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2018 | 08:22 AM
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Yes, I am surprised to hear that as well ^. Regardless, the Dee Zee option is a very popular "go to" for many truck owners. As you mentioned Ford's has a cleaner appearance but both will get the job done and should have close to identical installation.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2018 | 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Truck Brigade
Yes, I am surprised to hear that as well ^. Regardless, the Dee Zee option is a very popular "go to" for many truck owners. As you mentioned Ford's has a cleaner appearance but both will get the job done and should have close to identical installation.
My 2016 Lariat came with it from the factory but it`s nice that there are at least two options people can choose from.

Regardless of which kit is chosen, the installation should be close to the same as well as very easy to do.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2018 | 10:55 AM
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I owned an F250 and now have an F150. I found once you install a tonneau cover this no longer works. I've adjusted the hell out of both trucks and it seems the cover prevents it from opening, it just unlocks now.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2018 | 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by GABAR
....Are you saying that your 2017 Lariat didn`t come with the tailgate assist already installed from the factory?

Wow....I guess Ford changed it in 2017.

Yes, that's right. I had read where some did some did not have them. Mine didn't. I have the tailgate step, so maybe that had something to do with it.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2018 | 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by triniexr
I owned an F250 and now have an F150. I found once you install a tonneau cover this no longer works. I've adjusted the hell out of both trucks and it seems the cover prevents it from opening, it just unlocks now.
My undercover Ultraflex tonneua cover works just fine with my tailgate. It still unlock and opens down when I press the key fob on my 2017.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2018 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Bandera
Yes, that's right. I had read where some did some did not have them. Mine didn't. I have the tailgate step, so maybe that had something to do with it.
Sorry about saying they all had the socket head. I thought they all did because it’s part of the inner box. Mine had it. 2017 XLT. The Ford one is much nicer than the Dee Zee as there is no shock to see. But that’s my opinion.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2018 | 07:46 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by triniexr
I owned an F250 and now have an F150. I found once you install a tonneau cover this no longer works. I've adjusted the hell out of both trucks and it seems the cover prevents it from opening, it just unlocks now.
My 2016 Lariat with the MX4 tonneau cover works just fine with my tailgate and it lowers just fine either with the remote or manually.

There literally is no difference with or without my tonneau cover.
 
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