Tailgate Damper barely noticeable

[GoinRogueOne]

Ok, probably a minor gripe, but is anyone else's tailgate damper nearly useless? From day one the tailgate would barely slow when dropping until it was 75% or more down. On previous trucks with a tailgate damper, the tailgate drops in a more controlled manner. On my Gladiator it drops fast, slows a bit and then its fully down. Did I get a bad strut damper or is this just poor design and everyone's is like that?? Thanks!

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[ShadowsPapa]

They are a simple strut like a mini hood or hatch strut behind the tail lights so, IMO, like any other such simple strut, you may have got a bad 'un.

Mine isn't "great" but I can unlatch the tail gate, pull a bit and it goes down fairly nicely. I even have the extra weight of bed liner and a ladder bolted to my tail gate (easy for old farts with arthritis or short people to climb up into the truck bed that way)

 

[Dennis K]

I was under the impression that the Sport S I ordered would need a damper, so I bought one.
Come to find, the truck came with it already there and it works as expected.
You may have just gotten a bum one.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

....I even have the extra weight of bed liner and a ladder bolted to my tail gate.

What brand, etc and overall are you happy with it? I am 66 years young, no arthritis (in my legs...yet) and though I can climb in, it hurts my knee cap right when I put it on the tailgate and transfer my weight to it.

 

[trailless]

I feel mine takes too long to lower the tailgate...

 

[GoinRogueOne]

I feel mine takes too long to lower the tailgate...

If only mine was like that...nope. As soon as I unlatch it drops like a stone and catches/slows just before full open. I'll put it on my list when I take it for my first oil change.

 

[johnparjr]

easy to replace and get a better one Quadratec has the stock and a beefier one or call the dealer and see if they will warranty it but for the price and time I would buy one

 

[johnparjr]

Here it is

https://www.quadratec.com/p/dee-zee/tailgate-assist-jeep-gladiator-jt-DZ43303

 

[GoinRogueOne]

Here it is

https://www.quadratec.com/p/dee-zee/tailgate-assist-jeep-gladiator-jt-DZ43303

I know it's a cheap and easy swap, but the gladiator is only 7 months old so I'll have them do it under warranty.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What brand, etc and overall are you happy with it? I am 66 years young, no arthritis (in my legs...yet) and though I can climb in, it hurts my knee cap right when I put it on the tailgate and transfer my weight to it.

I don't recall the brand off the top of my head. I recall my wife had an ad come up while she was doing facebook or something on her phone and she asked if I'd be interested. Next thing I know - it's being delivered by UPS. I think Northern sells them as well.

I had to make a small slot in one piece to clear the tail gate cable but it has no impact on strength, IMO.

It's made for larger tailgates but has worked out fine on mine. I also like that I can take it off or put it back on in seconds if I need the tailgate clear for any reason (like my truck tent, for example)
I've used it quite a bit.

I moved the strap from their suggested position and also moved one of the square tubes on the mounting plate to help clear things.
This mounting point was closer to the corner of the plate.

This is what I notched to clear the cable - those pieces are very strong anyway.

 

[redriderjf87]

I'm probably biased since this is the first truck I've had with one, but I think it dampens to early if anything and is fully slowed down before close to being down. Not that I'm complaining.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I don't recall the brand off the top of my head. I recall my wife had an ad come up while she was doing facebook or something on her phone and she asked if I'd be interested. Next thing I know - it's being delivered by UPS. I think Northern sells them as well.

I had to make a small slot in one piece to clear the tail gate cable but it has no impact on strength, IMO.

It's made for larger tailgates but has worked out fine on mine. I also like that I can take it off or put it back on in seconds if I need the tailgate clear for any reason (like my truck tent, for example)
I've used it quite a bit.

I moved the strap from their suggested position and also moved one of the square tubes on the mounting plate to help clear things.
This mounting point was closer to the corner of the plate.

This is what I notched to clear the cable - those pieces are very strong anyway.

Thanks for the info. I did a quick search on Amazon and there are a number of them. None specifically made for the Gladiator and several look like yours. Appreciate the thorough answer with pictures. Happy Halloween!

 

[redrider]

What brand, etc and overall are you happy with it? I am 66 years young, no arthritis (in my legs...yet) and though I can climb in, it hurts my knee cap right when I put it on the tailgate and transfer my weight to it.

I have been using carpet sample "squares" forever just for that reason.

 

[RobbertCole]

If I had a complaint it's how slow it goes down.

seems over assisted to me. Feather light.

 

[aceisback]

I don't recall the brand off the top of my head. I recall my wife had an ad come up while she was doing facebook or something on her phone and she asked if I'd be interested. Next thing I know - it's being delivered by UPS. I think Northern sells them as well.

I had to make a small slot in one piece to clear the tail gate cable but it has no impact on strength, IMO.

It's made for larger tailgates but has worked out fine on mine. I also like that I can take it off or put it back on in seconds if I need the tailgate clear for any reason (like my truck tent, for example)
I've used it quite a bit.

I moved the strap from their suggested position and also moved one of the square tubes on the mounting plate to help clear things.
This mounting point was closer to the corner of the plate.

This is what I notched to clear the cable - those pieces are very strong anyway.

Sir would you mind posting a link to your tailgate ladder? It would be much appreciated!

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