Adding tailgate assist

My ‘05 Tacoma had fresh paint and was in very nice cosmetic condition. Probably as good as your FGT, possibly better. AZ it’s whole life and fully stock w no mods, only found one small dimple inside the driver door jamb. I was a little sad to cut but f it, I got over myself. Thin non-structural sheet metal is not gold. I dremeled the edges smooth and painted them.

Using OEM parts is the key. Toyota reliability and replacement option. I only wish my 2nd Gen tailgate were heavier so it would actually open without having to pull. I probably just need a softer dampener somehow, but I think there is only one part for that.

Not sure what you are asking about with the license plate bracket.

 

Mine looks like this. Didn’t cut and replace the trim plastic nor paint the dampener black. I’d prefer to cover w steel bumper.



And, if I pull while opening the handle it drops, just if I open directly up and don’t pull back it stalls. Though even that seems to drop now, after a few seconds. Perhaps because it’s on a slope.

 

2nd video you posted. Go to 1m20s mark. Note the license plate frame is folded up.

 

Thanks for explaining. It looks like he did a custom hitch and custom 7 pin behind a flip up plate holder. I can take some photos of my stock bumper if you want but I don't think any of that is standard. More like a budget friendly semi-high-clearance rear bumper.

The steel ones with integrated hitch would have a 7 pin cutout on the side. I'm guessing the OEM setup has the 7 pin below, next to the receiver.

 

Is this still working out? Good? Any issues over time? I'm thinking about trying this out on my double cab. If this works, I won't worry about installing struts

 

This works for helping you lift the tailgate. Doesn't really do much to slow it down while dropping. I have it on my DC. It does make the tailgate feel lightweight when lifting it though.

 

Does it slow down the tailgate at all coming down? Or not really? Gonna look for a video

 

Got the EasyLift installed on my Tundra. Boy what a difference! Tailgate is now lighter than my 2nd gen Tacoma. Install went smooth... one hole on the bed and one on the tailgate. 5/16 lower on the bedside as recommended by you guys. Thanks for the recommendation fellas!

 

you're right... doesn't do anything to slow it down... but it's much easier to guide it down and "catch" it now before it slams. This is all I needed.

 

Received mine today and about to install.

 

Just finished. Works as advertised.

It is so close to not needing the tailgate assist that I doubt I will add it.

At least if the tailgate slips with this product it does not crash with the full weight of the tailgate as it would have before.

 

Nice congrats. That's exactly my thoughts as well!

 

Yesterday I had a lot of Reservations about this product. I hated with a passion drilling into my new tailgate but I felt like it was worth it. Even though it worked as advertised I still had my doubts last night

but this morning when I went to get some tools out of my truck bed, I can say this - it is absolutely worth it. Didn’t even realize how heavy that tailgate is but it is so much more convenient now.

 

Haha same! I almost slammed it up hard when I left this morning forgetting about the lack of weight. I have kids that use the tailgate often and it was way too heavy for them before. Now it's a breeze lifting it up. I'm still cautious with them about bringing it down