Truck Tailgate Assist Shock Struts Fits 2004-2014 for Ford F-150 Pickup 2006-2008 Lincoln Mark LT

I had some trouble with the first part of installation because the instructions are unclear, but I found a helpful youtube video. When installing the piece that goes into the tailgate, hold the bolt in place with a 5mm Allen key, and turn the nut. NOT the other way around. Other than that it was easy, and this thing works like a champ!

Why did I wait so long!!! I ordered this tailgate assist for my '13 F150, glad I did. First the good stuf... 1. Perfect fit. 2. Works great. 3. Looks OEM. Now the bad stuff... The instructions need to be rewritten. The nut-sert is really easy after you figure out that after setting the length and insert it in the tailgate, you hold the BOLT steady and turn the JAM NUT. After that, it takes about 5 minutes to do the install. Its wonderful.

This kit was extremely easy to install. This is the second one I had to purchase. The problem is with the lower ball mount. The way it is attached is with a nut plate/wall anchor, type of set up. You have to use this special washer and ball bearing tool to tighten the nut plate inside the lower hole in the tailgate. As the tailgate gets used over time, the nut plate loosens and ultimately breaks off inside the tailgate. The only way to fix it is to cut the actual ball mount off with a hacksaw, and drill out the rest of the mounting assembly. That is the only piece I needed from the new kit I ordered. The unit works great, that is my only complaint about it. If I had information on the manufacturer, I would have tried to order just the lower mount and nut plate assembly.

My F150 has a very heavy tailgate with the integrated step so adding a gas shock absorber really made sense. This kit worked just as described and provided a good amount of slow down for dropping the tailgate. The only real complaint I have is the included Torx wrench is garbage. I did manage to use it but I had to be very careful on keeping it straight with the head of the bolt. Be sure and put blue Loctite or some other release grade thread locker on the bolt after putting the thread insert in! I'm hoping this makes the thread insert hold and last. (we will see). Read the instructions and don't over tighten the thread insert. I marked the tool with a sharpie so I could count the number of turns for installing it. 9 turns no more. It didn't really feel like it got super tight/locked in but it was not moving.

The expand bolt/nut-sert doesn't have good instructions. Measure the 3/4", hold the bolt steady with allen wrench, turn the nut 9 times to expand the insert. (I had to crimp the insert just barely to get it to go into the tailgate slot) Very easy installation after that and works to drop the tailgate at a nice pace. Hope it holds up.

The product installed and performs well however one of the retaining clips arrived broken.

Easy to install

I bought this as an alternative to Dee Zee. The 10 dollars I saved was not worth the headache. I have four reasons not to buy this version. Be sure to buy the Dee Zee version. It works great. 1: The instructions were not clear and were not written by an English speaking author. 2: The piece that inserts into the tailgate would not tighten up correctly. 3: The hydraulic's bottom connector expanded or was damaged after only five tailgates opens. It won't even hold until the tailgate is open all the way. (see video) 4: The threaded ball piece that goes into the tailgate is too short. The threads were not long enough to catch the threads on the insert.