A tailgate assist shock prevents wear and damage to your tailgate and eliminates by dropping the tailgate smoothly

Just like the gas lifts on an SUV or hatchback, adding a tailgate assist shock kit to your tailgate provides for a smooth drop and helps assist lifting the tailgate back in place.

Aftermarket tailgate assist kits install in additional to the cable

You don’t remove the factory safety cable when installing an assist kit. You simply bolt the kit into existing holes shown in the package directions. Here’s a downloadable example from OrionMotorTech.

Kit quality varies among sellers so look for these features

The quality of the gas strut matters. You want one with:

• Double oil sealing — prevent oil leakage and longer life
• Reinforced steel cylinder with electrophoratic coating— prevents deformation and corrosion
• Protective cover — keeps dirt off the polished piston rod. Dirt on the piston rod is what wears out the piston seals.
• Riveted mounting plate — welded mounting plates crack and break due to the countless drop/lift cycles

Tailgate Assist Shock Kit cost

Kits start in the $20 range and go up to almost $100. In my opinion, you’re not really getting a better kit if you spend $100; you’re just enriching the middlemen and rewarding the marketing wizards that make you think you had to spend $100.

Tailgate shock kits from OrionMotorTech

The tailgate assist kits from OrionMotorTech have all the features listed above. You can buy direct from the manufacturer here or on amazon.

Shock kits for FORD

Kit for 1997-2003 F150 and 1999-2016 Ford Super Duty

Easy Handling – Allows smooth and safe tailgate lowering even with arms full. Also acts as a lift to make closing easier.
Broad Compatibility – Specifically designed for 1997-2003 Ford F-150, 1999-2016 F-250/F-350, and 2010-2016 F-450 models.
Durable Build – Constructed from 45# electroplated steel for outstanding strength and corrosion resistance.
Material: 45# Steel
Color: Black
Compatible Truck Models: 1997-2003 Ford F150, 1999-2016 Ford F250 & F350 Super Duty, 2010-2016 F450 Super Duty
Compressed Length: 7.6 in. (19.3 cm)
Extended Length: 11.6 in. (29.5 cm)

Click on the image for direct link to the OrionMotorTech page for this product. Buy it here for $27

Kit for Truck 2004-2014 Ford F-150 & 2006-2014 Lincoln Mark LTs

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Rick Muscoplat