Tailgate opening damper, install picture. This tailgate tie down cleat MUST be Removed.

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[Swegner99]

The Ford accessories damper kit mounts behind the right side taillight and replaces the tailgate hinge, so no removal of tie down bracket necessary.

 

[rjpicucci]

I had a Dee Zee damper and switched to the Ford for that reason. I didn't want to lose the cleat.


One thing that got me though was when I tried to remove the old hinge, I stripped both Torx bolts. They were on so tight the bolts essentially popped and stripped. I had to cut them out and order new Torx bolts and a new retainer plate because I couldn't extract the bolts from the plate either. I finally gave up trying to extract them and just ordered new bolts and plate....I hope yours isn't so bad if you go this route.

This is what you want.
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/suspension/chassis-parts/damper-assembly-13289007-1

 

[Swegner99]

I had a Zee Dee damper and switched to the Ford for that reason. I didn't want to lose the cleat.


One thing that got me though was when I tried to remove the old hinge, I stripped both Torx bolts. They were on so tight the bolts essentially popped and stripped. I had to cut them out and order new Torx bolts and a new retainer plate because I couldn't extract the bolts from the plate either. I finally gave up trying to extract them and just ordered new bolts and plate....I hope yours isn't so bad if you go this route.

This is what you want.
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/suspension/chassis-parts/damper-assembly-13289007-1

I had a similar experience but luckily didn't strip the torx heads out. Once the bolt was out noticed they overdid it on the thread sealant quite a bit. I ran the bolts through the wire wheel a couple times and the went back together with no issues.

 

[Jay]

That's a bottle opener though!

 

[Mbaz]

I had a Dee Zee damper and switched to the Ford for that reason. I didn't want to lose the cleat.


One thing that got me though was when I tried to remove the old hinge, I stripped both Torx bolts. They were on so tight the bolts essentially popped and stripped. I had to cut them out and order new Torx bolts and a new retainer plate because I couldn't extract the bolts from the plate either. I finally gave up trying to extract them and just ordered new bolts and plate....I hope yours isn't so bad if you go this route.

This is what you want.
https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/suspension/chassis-parts/damper-assembly-13289007-1

Thanks for the link. Been looking for what will work while retaining the cleat. What side does this mount on? Do you mean passenger side (i.e. right side)? I have a Swingcase tool box installed on passenger side. Not sure this would work with that so I am hoping it can be installed on driver side. Thanks!

 

[Tim]

Before I installed the Ford damper, I checked YouTube to see how others had done it - the directions that came with the damper were useless. YouTube had some people who took the tailgate all of the way off - others only partially removed it.

Not wanting to mess with disconnecting the cables to remove the tailgate, I stacked a couple of milk crates, a cardboard box and a folded towel so that the tailgate rested on the towel when opened.

With a place to rest the tailgate, I disengaged the right side hinge and pivoted the tailgate away from the truck enough so that I could remove the hinge bolts to install the damper.

I had to fight the torx bolts all the way out. There was a lot of cracking and snapping sounds - not good to hear on a truck with 500 miles on the odometer.

On examination of the torx bolts after I had removed them, I found what looked like red Loctite in the threads.

 

[67440dodge]

THANK YOU! I was gonna go with the DeeZee one til I saw the cleat needed to come out, then after hearing what has to be done for the factory one I was able to get the factory one added to the order.

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