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How to Install Dee Zee EZ Down Tailgate Assist w/pix

Loggie

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Here are some simple instructions on how to install the DeeZee tailgate assist.

Pick showing the kit and tools.

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Tools You?ll need:

10mm Wrench
11mm Wrench
13mm Wrench
M4 Allen Wrench
M5  Allen Wrench
Tape Measure
Pliers

Step 1) Adjust the nutsert tool so there is 3/4? from the washer to the head of the bolt

Nutsert:
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Step 2) Using the M5 allen wrench and 10mm wrench, install the nutsert in the opening by the tailgate pivot point.  The nutsert should not be tightened any more than 9 306 degree turns.  Mark one side on the nut and count the number of revolutions to insure you do not over tighten.  Remove the nutsert tool when installation is complete.


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after you remove the nutsert:
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Step 3) Apply thread lock to the bolt what secures the mounting plate.  Install the ball mount plate by threading the bolt through the plate into the nutsert.  Tighten with M4 allen.

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Step 4)  Remove the tailgate cable and use a 13mm wrench to remove the cable bolt

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Step 5) Apply thread lock to the threads on the ball mount.  Install the ball mount and washer into the hole the cable bolt was removed from.  The flat side of the washer should be towards the front of the AV.  Tighten with an 11mm wrench.

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Step 6) Using a pair of pliers, remove the retaining clip from the cable end.  Just grab and twist until the clip pops off.  There is no need to cut the plastic around the cable.  Install the cable on the mount after the clip is removed.

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Step 7) Insert the grommet into the hole on the cable mount.  This image just shows what it should look like once you have the cable installed.

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Step :cool: Install the larger part of the shock on the ball mount

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Step 9) Install the narrow end of the shock on the ball mount plate.

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Now if you install the last 2 steps backwards like I did, you just pop of the clip from the ball and flip the shock over
 
How do you like it ? Nice write up.
 
love it.  I just always though they should be standard.  I will add another one to the right side just to make it that much more smooth of a drop
 
So it does thump down. ???
 
loading video give me a few...and not really bad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSMjxrY_DF8
 
MS03 2500 said:

not the best video...I'm down a hand and had no help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSMjxrY_DF8
 
Loggie said:
not the best video...I'm down a hand and had no help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSMjxrY_DF8

LOL Yes it goes down hard
 
its better now that i flipped the shock....when i was typing the thread, i realized i had it on upside down and changed it.  I will have a betting video tomorrow morning
 
I recently installed a second EZ Down hydraulic cylinder on the passenger side of the tailgate.
It was pulling the tailgate hinge off the post, so I simply put an old hose clamp around the cup to prevent it from coming off.
I wrapped some electrical tape around the cup first to prevent the clamp from scratching the paint.

Works great!!!!!
tailside.jpg
 
ordered another one from Amazon $26

Here's an updated video with the shock installed correctly  :p

http://youtu.be/2uO09bqIbk4
 
It looks better now.
 
Yeah amd with the addition on a second one, it will be much nicer
 
The 2014 Silverado has this mod but no shock its built in to the hinge
 
DouglasOak said:
I recently installed a second EZ Down hydraulic cylinder on the passenger side of the tailgate.
It was pulling the tailgate hinge off the post, so I simply put an old hose clamp around the cup to prevent it from coming off.
I wrapped some electrical tape around the cup first to prevent the clamp from scratching the paint.

Works great!!!!!
tn

As much as I followed this in another thread, I missed this part about doing it on the passenger side. It was interesting to see the tailgate pop out off the post and occasionally try to move back into place. If I had left it like this, I could have lived with it, but any number of my buddies would not have known the issue and forced it further into later problems.

What was bad was when it was not properly on both hinges, the passenger side gate cable was very taut and the driver's side looked like a suspension bridge cable on a bad day.

As mentioned, a few wraps of electrical tape, one large hose clamp and it was all good to go. Still a tad faster than I expected, but slower than with just one.

The unit I bought yesterday was manufactured/packaged on 6/12 and the other I picked up today was marked 3/13. There is a slight difference in the travel rate between them and the 6/12 model does have a lot of squishy noise.
 
Did this mod today...only problem I had was trying to figure out how the nutsert tool worked. Now my tailgate floats on down. "Float on, Float on".
 
old skool said:
Did this mod today...only problem I had was trying to figure out how the nutsert tool worked. Now my tailgate floats on down. "Float on, Float on".

Same thing with me lol
 
The one I ordered ordered from Amazon has a smaller cylinder, and it lowers quickly but does not slam down. I think prefer a quick lowering as I am impatient...
 
BADalanche said:
The one I ordered ordered from Amazon has a smaller cylinder, and it lowers quickly but does not slam down. I think prefer a quick lowering as I am impatient...

I still catch myself trying to guide it down lol love the mod
 
I wanted to add this to my 2013 Avalanche z71

Called Dee Zee they said it wont work. They don't make one for the Avalanche
The one for the Silverado wont work.
The shock is to short and all the weight will be on the shock,and not on the cable.
The shock wear out prematurely.

They also said they had no plans to make a longer shock.

So how did you get this to work?
 
Follow the instructions these guys posted. They tell you witch one shock to buy, and how to install. But you are correct, you'll have to out engineer the engineers this time.
 
RWK said:
I wanted to add this to my 2013 Avalanche z71

Called Dee Zee they said it wont work. They don't make one for the Avalanche
The one for the Silverado wont work.
The shock is to short and all the weight will be on the shock,and not on the cable.
The shock wear out prematurely.

They also said they had no plans to make a longer shock.

So how did you get this to work?

I installed this on my 2013 LTZ. No problems, no modification; DZ 43101. I have no idea why they think it doesn't work.

*EDIT* I've had mine on for almost a year now.
 
naylor99 said:
I installed this on my 2013 LTZ. No problems, no modification; DZ 43101. I have no idea why they think it doesn't work.

Dee Zee they said it wont work.
They don't make one for the Avalanche
The one for the Silverado wont work. (DZ 43101)
 
The shock is to short and all the weight will be on the shock, and not on the cable.
The shock wear out prematurely.

The man at Dee Zee was absolutely sure  the shock will wear out prematurely.
The local Truck n Stuff will not install one on my truck.

Guys this sucks I really wanted to install one of these.
People are putting them on their AV (please let us know if they hold up)
 
Did "they" Dee Zee say how premature it will wear out? say instead of lasting 15 years it only makes it 7?  I know they have been used for a few years on a few AVs..
No need to find and pay a shop to do it..  Find a local member to help out when you install it..  The directions that loggie posted above are real easy to follow..
With the torsion bar that comes stock on the newer models they weight the shock absorbs isnt a ton anyway.. 
There are many things installed on our trucks that werent "made" for our trucks and have lasted a long time.. Heck a lot of the gadgets that are in the newer models are there because of modding done on the older models, with parts that were not "made" for the avalanche. 
Thats why its called modding..
 
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