DZ43100 Tailgate Assist fits 99-06 Chevy/GMC & 07 Classic

When I happened across this DZ43100 Tailgate Assist on Amazon, I remembered how much I despised the heavy tailgate on my 2002 Silverado 2500 HD 4X4. Installation was quick, easy and the product seems well made. Functionally, it works well, allowing you to just pull the opening handle, release and stand back. The tail gate comes down smoothly and slowly without any drama.One comment that some buyers made was that the manufacturer supplied replacement bolt that holds the bottom of the air shock to the tail gate is too long by 1/16" and the tip wants to contact the body as it closes, just enough to nick the paint but not bend any metal. I noted this on mine before I did my first 'close'. To remedy this, I took a Dremel to it and knocked off just enough so it would clear. I put some clear coat on the end to seal it against rust. Easy fix. Time will tell how long the shock lasts.

Great add on and price ! I used this on a rebuilt 2005 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLE EXTENDED CAB

Easy to install and works great!

Dee Zee DZ43100 Truck Tailgate Assist......... I have a 2002 Chev Avalance Z66 with the body cladding. Some reviews say this will work, other reviews say this won't work. As it turns out, the application guide for this product does not currently list this year vehicle as being compatible, so I had to try it out for myself. IT WORKS and is very easy to install. The instructions (with step by step color photos) are excellent. The toughest step on my vehicle was removing the bolt by the tailgate pivot to install the bracket. Because my vehicle has the body cladding, this prevents the bolt from coming all the way out. This was solved by removing a phillips screw in the body cladding and pulling the cladding back far enough to allow the bolt to come all the way out. Two clips in the cladding side popped out of their holes, but they easily snapped back in after the body cladding was put back into position. This process, even though it might sound complicated, still only took about ten minutes, and most of that time was spent trying to figure out the correct process. If I were to do another one, it would probably take two minutes. Some people have also suggested using two of these (one for each side) on the Avalanche because the tailgate is soooo heavy. For now, one seems to do the job just fine. With this product installed, the heavy Avalanche tailgate falls steady when opened, but does not need to be cushioned by my arm/hand to prevent it from slamming down when it reaches the end of travel. I am very happy with this addition to my Avalanche..... 5 stars for the product, instructions, and ease of installation!

Well to start with, I was skeptical based on other reviews. Installation was fairly straight forward, especially if you watch the install video. I do have some notes to share about the install. Due to the varying clearances and tolerances of manufacturing, if you try to install this on one truck it may fit perfect and on the next it might be too tight of an install. This is referencing where the bolt on the tailgate hinge clears (or don't) the wrapped corner of the rear quarter panel and where the bolt to retain the tailgate cable clears the tailgate itself. If you take the time to put a small spot of silicone grease on the bolt ends and GENTLY, slowly close the tailgate, being careful to note any contact between bolt and paint surfaces, you will see how much clearance you have. Mine, fortunately had about 1/16" clearance on one bolt and 1/8" on the other. The other point to note is that the installed cable end, the part that loops onto the stud on the sidewall, will contact the newly installed strut. This will remove the paint from that strut at that contact point, which will lead to a rust spot, which will lead to a failed strut cylinder. To prevent that from becoming an issue later on, I took a piece of 3/4" diameter heat shrink cut to 3/4" long, slid it to the top of the cylinder and shrunk it in place. This prevents metal to metal contact or metal to painted surface contact. If you do this, be mindful to not heat up the cylinder and make it explode. But if you get it that hot, you obviously don't know how to use heat shrink :) Other than that, the unit installed and functions as advertised. Time will tell if it's a quality built unit.*This is how I installed mine. This installation process might not be suitable for your application. Use of these ideas are at your own risk. Seek a qualified, professional installer if you do not feel capable of performing these tasks safely or do not have the knowledge of how to operate tools and/or equipment safely. Never heat a compressed gas cylinder. It can explode causing property damage, injury and/or death.

I bought this cause it’s just nice being able to open the tailgate and just let it go. I’d highly recommend this to anyone that has this type of truck!

The media could not be loaded. Straightforward, easy install. Works great. Doesn't make it noticeably harder to close the tailgate. Love having it. Should have done it sooner.Not sure how temperature changes will affect its operation. Was about 85°F (and windy) when the video was made. It captures a tailgate in free-fall.

Absolutely luv these - get them