Curious, how obvious is this thing? I assume by "not hidden", it's just visible from the rear through the gap in the tailgate?
The F 150 has the damper hidden inside the tail light and this one is visible when the tailgates down ..
You can’t see it when tailgate is closed. It’s visible when open, but just like the wires that hold the tailgate level, you don’t even really “see” it when it’s open. Sure, it’s there, but who’s looking in the corner of the tailgate on the Driver side?
It is not at all obvious. If you know what you're looking for, you will see it, if you don't know what to look for you may never notice it.
I made one out of parts of the cheap Amazon/eBay one after seeing another member on here do it. Maybe I’m just looking too closely but I can definitely see a bit of flex in the panel where the upper bracket mounts when the tailgate is dropped... maybe it’s more noticeable because I made mine into a larger bracket that also attaches to the taillight mounting location? Probably not a big deal, but I just wondered.
The length of the screw ataching to Damper to the bracket looks longer than the DEE ZEE design which would give your Damper more leverage on the Bracket. Also the pressure of the Damper may be greater than the DEE ZEE design that would also increase the amount of stress the damper puts on the bracket. Third, the attachment location on the Tailgate itself is much closer to the end of the Tailgate which increases the pressure on the Damper increasing stress on the upper mount. All I can tell you is the DEE ZEE design doesn't have any visible flex in my installation.I made one out of parts of the cheap Amazon/eBay one after seeing another member on here do it. Maybe I’m just looking too closely but I can definitely see a bit of flex in the panel where the upper bracket mounts when the tailgate is dropped... maybe it’s more noticeable because I made mine into a larger bracket that also attaches to the taillight mounting location? Probably not a big deal, but I just wondered.
I looked at my installation which used the Amazon kit intended for non NA Rangers. My installation is like yours. I checked and there is no flexing of the bed structure on my installation. Is the flexing you see in the bed sheet metal structure or just the bracket you made flexing away from the bed structure ?I made one out of parts of the cheap Amazon/eBay one after seeing another member on here do it. Maybe I’m just looking too closely but I can definitely see a bit of flex in the panel where the upper bracket mounts when the tailgate is dropped... maybe it’s more noticeable because I made mine into a larger bracket that also attaches to the taillight mounting location? Probably not a big deal, but I just wondered.
How did you get the MarkP damper? Or are those just pics from him? I've been waiting to send him money for one.Just for the heck of it.. Here’s a comparison of some of the struts. Top picture is MarkP’s (pre powder coat hardware), middle is DeeZee’s and bottom is the $25.00 one that some of us purchased on ebay and then got for free.
I looked at my installation which used the Amazon kit intended for non NA Rangers. My installation is like yours. I checked and there is no flexing of the bed structure on my installation. Is the flexing you see in the bed sheet metal structure or just the bracket you made
Maybe why I’m not seeing any flexing is that I added a fastener below the upper attach point for the strut. That bed structure is quite stiff in that area so I would expect your flexing is with the plate you used.
im very pleased with how my installation works. Just enjoy watching that tail gate slowing lower
That's the picture MarkP posted shortly before he was shut down! Haven't heard from him recently. Want to buy one of his units as I was an early supporter and want to support his efforts even if I never install it. If someone has a contact for him PM me please.
It was just a pic bud, sorry
. He has all my information that I sent him, address, email etc even my phone number i think. Haven’t heard from him at all. Sema is almost over, I’m not poss. I suspect he will be around shortly. Btw has anyone seen his Instagram? His rig turned out real nice and was in a pretty cool booth.
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The F 150 has the damper hidden inside the tail light and this one is visible when the tailgates down ..
