I had a DeeZee EZ Down on the tailgate of my '09 Platinum and was very pleased with how well it worked. I just traded my '09 for a 2012 and had to let the EZ Down go with my old truck. I want to get one for my '12 and have been searching on line (Autoanything) for one. All of the illustrations I have seen appear to show a different configuration. Has anyone bought one recently, and if so, are they attached differently? I know my old one would have a tendacy to pinch the tailgate cable to the point to where it finally broke in half. I never replaced the cable so that's why I let the old EZ Down go with the truck.

 

I hope this is correct:
I just bought a Dee Zee tailgate assist. I have a top plate that attaches to the truck where the cable post is. You unscrew the cable post, and put the cable post through the new kit plate. The plate has the cable post in the same spot, with the hydraulic cartridge attaching to a ball joint about 2" below the cable post attachment. Then there is a nutsert that goes in the tailgate hole with the lower cartridge ball joint screwing into the nutsert. You will want your cartridge date to be 02/12 or later. If it is earlier, call Dee Zee and they will send you new hardware pack to replace the lower ball joint and nutsert with higher quality parts.

 

Thanks Gunnarz,

That's just what I wanted to hear. I'll be ordering my new one tomorrow or Monday

 

It is my understanding that the plate prevents the issue you had, and there is no piece of foam to use for centering the cable. Check the date here to see if you should call Dee Zee:

(I'm waiting for my replacement parts to come mid-next week. I may choose to drill and tap the lower ball joint rather than use the nutsert.)

http://www.f150forum.com/f38/ez-down...9/#post2017510

 

Today I got the new hardware pack sent from Dee Zee, great customer service! Unfortunately I couldn't wait 30 seconds to put things down, I opened the package, I crossed my hands over each other see the other hardware...and the confusion began. I got the hardware mixed up. Not like me at all...but it is what it is. The hardware had the same exact color, tone, weight, feel, everything. Looks identical so maybe I had the newer hardware already. I look at hardware as part of my job. So I went ahead and installed figuring either I got the newer set installed up front, or if it's the older hardware it may fail and I'll use the correct set the second time, and only need to drill out the nutsert. OR... if it fails, just go the extra mile and tap/thread the tailgate and screw the ball mount only directly into the tailgate next to the nutsert.

Regarding the number of turns for installing the nutsert, I can tell you this:
I made the distance a tight 3/4" as per the instructions. I have a fair amount of experience with nutserts (they go by several types of names). I turned 11.5 revolutions. I believe it was tight at about 11 full revolutions. After about 1.5 revolutions you feel the nutsert stop wiggling in the hole, at about 11 revolutions the turns start to get harder...that means the nutsert is fully compressed. A fractional turn past that really snugs it up. Past that...somethings gotta give, and that's gonna be the threads.

After seeing how the cable, strut, tailgate and truck interact, I added a washer under the ball mount to space the strut further from the tailgate, giving the cable more room, but I don't think the washer is needed, but it doesn't hurt and does create more room for cable just in case.

I'm trying to post 2 pics but the forum software isn't cooperating.

 

You talking about the ball mount on the tailgate or behind the ball mount plate on the side of the bed?

I just got mine late yesterday and put it on. I had to wrestle with that 'tool' and piece that goes into the tailgate but finally got it tight (lost track of how many turns it took). Seems to work ok but it is pretty tight quarters for the OEM cable and the gas shock. Even with the foam rubber on my old one the cable finally wore through and broke. I never replaced the cable and the gas shock alone worked just fine even with me getting on and off the tailgate.

 

The bottom pic shows the washer I added, but I can see now it's not needed, it's just very, very close...so I'll leave the washer. It's an odd fit at the top, but works, the strut pushes the cable a bit. It's best to have the plate with the ball mount rotated to the body until it stops.

 

I have an 02 F150 Supercrew and would like to install on of the tailgate dampers. Does anyone make a kit for the Supercrew. If not has anyone made a existing kit fit their Supercrew.

 

Why would you think it being a Supercrew would make any difference with the tailgate design? I doubt there has been any significant design changes in the tailgate for many years but maybe somebody that works around a body shop can chime in with a more experienced comment.

 

I ordered the one for the 97 - 03 F150 and it does not fit the Supercrew. I am not sure what the difference is on the tail gate but the cylinder is to long and will not attach to the tail gate and it shut

 

Here is what you may be able to do:

Depending on how much too long the cylinder is (hopefully only an inch or so) you can either drill and tap, or just make another hole a little lower on the tailgate.

 

thought about moving it but it is about 4 inches to long and hits the hinge on the side when the tail gate is shut

 

I just got mine from Amazon and the date on the kit is 12/12. I'm about ready to take it off - about half the time when I close the tailgate the cable binds and won't allow it to close.

I plan on calling them tomorrow but thought I'd ask if anyone has fixed this problem?

 

Look at my 2nd pic in post #7. See how there is a spacer washer? I have an arrow pointing to it. That washer pushes the gas cartridge away from the tailgate, increasing the cables room. A second washer/thicker washer would be a little better. Sounds like that's what you need.

 

I didn't read all the post but i have a 2013 with one. You need to order part number 43200. I have been having one since the day i bought the truck and no issues so far with anything bending. I friend with the same kit on his 2013 has been having his longer than I and he also has not had any issues.

Wayne