Hydraulic arms for tailgate to GENTLY lower it.

Hi all!

I am wondering if any fellow 1st gen owners have implemented hydraulic arms for letting the tailgate down slowly, disallowing it to drop down loudly. I can't stand "slamming" doors, and a directly dropping free-falling tailgate is the same irritation to me. Plus it's really unnecessary for it to ever need to be dropped open that hard anyway. My opinion.

I do my best to "baby" the heck out of this truck to make it last, and it's still returning the favor VERY well after this many years.
Many thanks in advance for any helpful info for me to do this.
Chuck

 

The hand model is the only one I know of who did this.

It might be mentioned in here. He is banned so he can't help with details, if you have time to chase his posts you might find them.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/the...vestment-‘build’-a-chronological-story.46816/

 

Just found these, and am still reading about it/them: https://smile.amazon.com/Dee-Zee-DZ...17a651c2ad6&pd_rd_wg=Ca66A&pd_rd_i=B01AP2BNS0

I have a 2002 Tundra Xcab LTD 4wd 4.7 etc. Even though the video shows a RAM, it should work for any truck tailgate...I hope. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifkBhlNCF_c

 

I put that brand on a Nissan Frontier and it worked good. It’s not hidden behind the taillight like the 2/2.5 Gen style, but wasn’t in the way. Been a few years and it still works good. For the price I say go for that one.

 

I believe that's what he used. Its on page 3 of the build I posted, post #64.

 

There's also the Go Gear or Hopkins EASYLIFT Tailgate option.
https://www.etrailer.com/p-74211.html?hhyear=2002&hhmake=Toyota&hhmodel=Tundra

 

Right on MuStanley! IMPRESSIVELY Sensible DESIGNED UNIT. Plus, I'd always rather support eTrailer over Amazon. Many thanks to everyone again for the helpful replies. Will get eTrailer's deal and see how well it works. Will also report back once installed.

 

I’ve had the Easylift torsion bar on mine for around a year now. It certainly makes lifting the tailgate seem lighter but if you’re expecting it to catch the tailgate and ease it down, like all the new trucks do, well you’re outta luck.

It will most definitely still slam pretty hard if you drop the tailgate. The main use I have found for it is being able to close it from the inside with one hand while camping.

 

I installed the Go Gear torsion bar on mine. When raising the tailgate, it feels as light as my Ford's aluminum tailgate. Noice!

Go Gear EASYLIFT Tailgate Easylift
by Amazon.com
Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CMHVJO

 

DirtJumper, as I do not have one of these yet to make my own claim of usefulness, but here is a reply from eTrailer a moment ago:

"Thank you for your email.

The Hopkins EasyLift Truck Bed Tailgate Lift Assist relieves strain when lifting and lowering your tailgate. We currently have these in stock and available for immediate shipment. If you would like to order, you may do so by calling us toll free at 1.800.298.0843 or online at www.etrailer.com.
https://www.etrailer.com/partlist.aspx?pc=74211&csrId=3000". I don't know if this link is specifically for my Tundra, but it does show my truck listed at the top of the page.

On their video they show a fella opening and closing an older Ford tailgate with ease. I cannot tell how much effort he uses to let it down though. Doesn't look like much. I'll get one anyway and find out for myself on my own rig.

What's the difference between the Hopkins and the GoPro assists besides minimal price?

 

I've got the hopkins. Works great, actually too good at first.

I had to add some twist so the tailgate would fully sit down on the cables with no weight on it (even with the bedliner cover).

It only takes a finger or two to lift the tailgate to shut it.

 

I ordered the Go Gear torsion bar from Amazon and it's made by Hopkins, as written on the packaging. The Go Gear torsion bar from Amazon is stated for Toyota Tundra 2004-2007 and etrailer says their bar is for 2002 Tundra. Both have the same number 74211. Go Gear's item package has made in China on it, so it can be assumed the bar etrailer sells is also because of being made for same company. Wouldn't doubt the bar etrailer sells is probably in the same packaging. Look on Amazons site and notice Go Gear is not written anywhere on package.

The shock absorber type is nice for letting the tailgate down slowly, but it doesn't help at all lifting it up to close it.

 

I have one of these torsion bars and can’t wait to install it. Anything is better than the slam.

 

Ordered also. These Tundra tailgates are solid and I'm getting older.

 

get the webbing of your hand caught in one of these.



you’ll be a little more gentle when operating the tailgate.

 

Thats what I was saying above, you’re still gonna get the slam from the torsion bar. It’s not strong enough to stop that.

 

So, in the end will I need to order both a gas shock absorber AND a torsion bar, for slowly dropping, and lifting respectfully?

 

I couldn't find a shock for the first gens hence the torsion bar. Someone around here fabricated a way to use the shock version so it wasn't plug and play. The torsion helps with slowing the tailgate going down but not enough you can pull the handle and just let it drop on its own. For lifting, the torsion bar takes a ton of the weight off.

 

MANY THANKS artsr! EXACTLY what I was hoping to learn from here before ordering anything. I am really happy to learn there aren't "plug 'n play" gas shocks for 1st gen tundras, so I'll stop looking for that option and just go with the torsion bar.

Thanks again for all replies here. Much obliged.

 

Just installed the one from Amazon on my 2001. Did it alone, not too bad. Works great.

 

Lowell, your Amazon link doesn't work to point to a specific piece of equipment.

 

Sorry. Didn’t mean to link. Same one as mentioned above. Very nice inexpensive mod.

 

Gascap [or any other willing participants here], would there be any problem with installing BOTH the shock for slow let-down, and the torsion bar from etrailer for easy-up? Or is it a one or the other choice?

Thanks,
Chuck

 

I don't see why not. It would be nice if someone would figure that one out with both shock brackets on the bed's inside and side of tailgate. Meaning when tailgate's closed the shock and brackets aren't exposed, and when opened there's no bracket attached and sticking up on the tailgate's backside. I would say the shock attachments would have to be on the opposite side of where the torsion rod is exposed. Might be done if someone gets a thin enough shock and goes from there with different options till it works. If you figure it out you'll defiantly be the tailgate Guru, at least in my books.

 

OH Man. If ever there was an opportunity begging me to fab something that all of us first gen tundraites want, this is IT. I'll look more into this as time goes on here, and post back whatever I come up with that works or doesn't.

 

Seems like it should be possible to modify the system used on a modern Tacoma or Tundra to work on our first gens, right? Perhaps with some drilling and bolting? Or better still an adapter plate?

 

Anythings possible for those that want to try. When time is on my side I'll give it a go also, but hopefully someone will have it figured out. Went to deezee's website and they don't have a tailgate assist for any year Tundra or Tacoma. That's strange!

 

My research on that seemed to indicate someone undercut them with a universal solution which is the one I think I have purchased.

Seems like very few are interested in the small time boutique. That’s exactly the stuff I like.

 

Right with ya Daveasa. Now just waiting for stuff to arrive to play with and see what works, or what I can modify to make work.

 

I used this on my 2016 Tundra SR5. It was the only one that I could find for Tundras. Works great, might be a good start for a Gen1 modification.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184450013958