Retrofit tailgate assist to your old truck, Dodge Ram 1994-2002 , DeeZee DZ433301 Ford, Chevy

Learn how to Retrofit a DeeZee tailgate assist to your pickup. Dodge, Ford, Chevy, Nissan when DeeZee doesn't sell a proper kit for it.

[@mikehadjis5652]

I liked this and did the same to my 97 1/2 1500. I did your same install on the tailgate however on the bed itself I used a threaded 1/4 inch. Ball stud I bought at NAPA and drilled straight through without threading the hole. I used a nut and lock washer in the back to hold it in place. Thanks for sharing. Well worth the time. Don’t know why I never did it before I’ve owned the truck for over 20 yrs. Lol!! Thanks again.

[@glencouls]

A worthwhile upgrade for sure. I've had this same kit on now for 5 years. The kit is rugged, the truck handles the threadding, the setup is really pretty easy. I'm glad it worked for you!

[@wojowestcoast]

did this same retro fit on my 94 3/4 ton. only thing i did different was use the extension plate you discarded. i slid it behind the hinge bracket on the drivers side of the tailgate and used the pre existing hole to mount the bracket. this put this put the ball stud in the right spot and up top i did the same as you but with a lock nut on the inside

[@glencouls]

Nice mod thanks for sharing!

[@MichaelReigartJr]

I was watching the vid and looking at the kit and thought about doing the same

[@kevincochran4899]

Just finished with my 99 Dodge Ram 1500. Worked like a charm. Thanks for the measurements.

[@glencouls]

Excellent, enjoy! It's probably my favorite modification on the truck. Makes this old rig have a like new truck feature.

[@jonathanfreedom1st]

Nice. Can this be done avoiding having to tap thread the truck side hardware store ball stud? Is there a bolt and nut type ball stud from hardware store? Ok I see the comment below where someone said they used a threaded ball stud instead. Why make It more complicated. Yes? Thanx for vid nice way to update timeless old pickups.

[@glencouls]

Yeah, you don't have to thread the tailgate frame hole if you don't want to, I just did that because the tailgate frame sheetmetal was so thick I disn't think I could fit the entirety of a nut onto the remaining back threads, however it could take two or three legit turns, throwing some red locktite on there and tightening it up the rest of the way will likely hold fine. I would think, best guess anyway.

[@buickman70]

Gonna try this on my 1999 dodge Dakota this weekend. Thanks for the video

[@glencouls]

I loved this retro fit, felt like it brought thevold Dodge back up to modern times. I'm unfamiliar with the pin and hinge layout on the Dakota, but best of luck. I hope its a successful upgrade!

[@buickman70]

@@glencouls it's similar to the Ram hopefully it works out.

[@glencouls]

@@buickman70 The measurements in tailgate door jam that I show in this video are probably a rough guideline then. I would suggest that you carefully check the that you have enough room in jam area between the pins, hinges, and tailgate sheet metal while closing. I'm confident you can fit the actuator puston vertically OK, im just concerned everything is going to fit, as it barely fit on the fullsize dodge. best of luck with this project!

[@buickman70]

@@glencouls ok thanks for the heads up. I'll take some measurements to make sure we can make it fit.

[@buickman70]

@@glencouls thanks for this video brotha. Just did it on my 99 Dakota and it worked perfectly! Cheers 🙏

[@vladimirmendez6445]

y porque no colocas otro nutsert en el lado del faro.

[@dellamphear9367]

Great install. I have a 1999 I want to put one on. There was some back ground noise in the video. Could you give me the model of the kit you used. Thanks

[@hotride4u]

Do you have the measurement of the hydraulic piston ? i have everything else and a local place that sells countless piston sizes . Great job

[@dupre7416]

I wonder if this would work on a '99 Dakota? I might follow your steps and see if it's compatible. PS: I enjoyed your comedy elements very much. 🤣

[@glencouls]

I don't see why it wouldn't... may need to find a piston and ball that fits your truck, I'm not sure about the available space between the gate and rear panel on the 99 Dakota. Good luck, this is as much of a "yes it can be done" video as it is a tutorial. I really like having this modern feature on an old truck.

[@joselrubio7982]

@@glencoulsI will do it on my 01dakota

[@DarkMWB]

Very nice I am doing this this weekend

[@glencouls]

This was a great upgrade for me.

[@trevorlarsonn]

Sweet! gonna try this as soon as possible, mind telling me what size tap you used? Couldn't really hear through the video :D

[@vladimirmendez6445]

If you are using 13/64 wick, the thread must be 1/4 x 20 nc . and the ball stud 10mm x 1/4 x 20 nc

[@chilidog73]

Thank you for this! How has this held up and is it strong enough to just let the tailgate go and drop by itself?

[@glencouls]

Yep. Very strong, tailgate drops nice and slow. My favorite upgrade to the truck. The mod has held up now, looks like 5 years now. The only issue I have is when people who don't know about the actuator piston location, frequently pull things out of the truck bed and bang the actuator knocking it off the ball stud. I have never done this myself, but both my Wife and my neighbor do it yearly. It's weird because it's not like it sticks out that far, just people unfamiliar with the truck and how it works accidentally being careless or rushed I guess.

[@asaebrahim8059]

any videos on a 2001 ram 1500 sport tail gate assist? ?.

[@glencouls]

No, sorry the 1500 moved to the new body style at that year. But I'm pretty sure deezee makes a complete kit for that tailgate, without as much drilling.

[@miboatwake2]

What size ball stud the one I bought 5/16 8 are too big for nutzert

[@brandonb1847]

Im only seeing kit dz43301 not dz433301. (One less #3). Is there such a kit or is this a typo in the title of your video?

[@chilidog73]

Quick question... and this may seem dumb, but when I measure for the ball stud next to the button, to me it looks like the cable mechanism that hooks it to the button will hit the ball stud when it pivots while closing the tailgate. Think its ok to move it down just a hair to get it away from the metal part? I just dont want to drill 5 holes trying to get it right. : )

[@glencouls]

Yeah, you can move it down. I'm just providing my measurements. You'LL just want to make sure the piston can COLLAPSE the entire way. If you put the studs too close the rod can destroy the piston.

[@spinchab]

What size ball stud did you purchase?

[@vladimirmendez6445]

Could you give me the measurements where the screw holes go with the balls in the tailgate and in the post. your audio is very confusing and i don't want to damage my truck ..

[@glencouls]

Sorry vlad this was one of my first instructional videos. It would probably be best to compress the piston down as much as possible then Slowly close the tailgate and mark the end points on the inside of the jam. you can use a white paint marker, they work the best for me on metal, pencils or marker just arent pemenant enough.

[@alcameron6071]

Dude, the instructions are on the box when you buy the struts.

[@MichaelReigartJr]

@@alcameron6071 not for a custom install like this though

[@Jeff-1969]

Perfect ✨👍

[@jantu5173]

What size ball stud did you use

[@glencouls]

I'm sorry, I know this doesn't help you much but it matches the other one. I went into the HW store, looked through their drawers of bolts and washers, I found the same brass colored stud to match, it was expensive for what I was buying, like $1.48 or something like that but that's how I picked it up. I realize that doesn't help you much, and I'm sorry about that. The other thing you might try is contacting the manufacturer of the kit, and ask what size ball, it matches the actuator at both ends, heck they may even send you one if you say you lost yours.

[@vladimirmendez6445]

10mm x 1/4 x 20 nc

[@Matt_from_Florida]

Wanna know something funny as Hell? I own: 1) A 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup inherited from my stepdad. 2) A 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Limited roadster What are the odds of that, eh?

[@glencouls]

Haha, good to talk to you brother. Let me know what mods work for you! I might try them on my rides. Thanks for commenting, it's good to know somebody is living my same experience. Consider subscribing, that coincidence is just too uncanny.

[@williamstrength8268]

First, it wouldn't work on the drivers side, you started on the WHITE passenger side, then MIRACULOUSLY finished the video on the BLUE DRIVER'S SIDE. What happened to the disconnect????

[@glencouls]

I have to apologize about the paint situation, but the tailgate required maintenance and I was doing this refurb while installing this product. I did not mean to confuse anybody here. I can attest 100% all work was executed on the driver side. Driverside tailgate, the driverside tailgate opening. The only thing I did was move the tailgate chain to the passenger side. I eventually replaced both tailgate chains as the new chain was less fraid and fit fine in the tight confines of the driverside tailgate well. This upgrade has held up over time. The only issue has been once a friend was unloading some lawn chairs out of the bed and accidentally popped the actuator arm off one of the ball joints. It was dark and took some considerable effort to get it to pop back on the ball joint. Thank you for your comment, allowing me to address the confusion.

[@riceae02]

@@glencouls Thanks for this. Guess he didn't read other responses and hacks where it worked. I'm gonna add a minor observation. You removed the gate rubber stop but I didn't see you mention it. Lastly to all the neglected 1997 to 2004 Dakota owners out there ... I think this will work for us! Thanks again glncouls.