Tailgate with and without open assist

[5treesilverado]

Hi, I recently had the shop call me and tell me that they cannot put the tailgate on my truck because my truck used to have tailgate assist (like how it opens slowly) and the new tailgate doesn't. I was wondering if there really is any difference between them and what I can do

[newdude]

33 minutes ago, 5treesilverado said:

Hi, I recently had the shop call me and tell me that they cannot put the tailgate on my truck because my truck used to have tailgate assist (like how it opens slowly) and the new tailgate doesn't. I was wondering if there really is any difference between them and what I can do

 

 

You can but you'd have to change the hinges on the truck side of the gate as well.  The assist hinges are different.  The passenger side is keyed to the torsion bar, and the passenger side has the down assist spring and a bushing.  

 

 

The non assist hinges are 15192282 and 15206081.  The assist hinges are 15206082 and 23439650.

 

I'd post pictures here showing the differences but something is up with the picture upload on this site.  

 

So again, you can use the non assist gate but you need those two box side hinges 15192292 and 15206081 to make it work.  

 

That I know of, you cannot modify the non assist gate to have the assist, at least not without fabrication as the hinges on the gate itself are welded in place to the gate. 

Edited October 23, 2023 by newdude

[PFTX_5.3]

3 hours ago, 5treesilverado said:

Hi, I recently had the shop call me and tell me that they cannot put the tailgate on my truck because my truck used to have tailgate assist (like how it opens slowly) and the new tailgate doesn't. I was wondering if there really is any difference between them and what I can do

Like @newdude said you would have to change out the hinge brackets. I would change out the brackets if you already have the tailgate. I would also recommend the DEEZEE DZ43102 kit, it is better than the factory spring / bushings.