What's new
By:
Ram Heavy Duty Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Adding the OEM hidden tailgate strut to any trim.

Anrkist said:
Has anyone gotten a bad damper or had one go bad? I installed the OEM one I bought, it worked a handful of times very soft/smooth then it started only slowing the drop slightly but the gate still bounces a little at the end because it drops harder than I would expect?
Click to expand...
They’ve gone bad on all of our tundras. They will all eventually go bad.
 
Pulled this pic from Ram and posting it because it's 2am and I've nothing better to do. Just gives an easy view perspective of the linkage and how it relates with the dampener, thought it might be helpful for someone about to install a dampener.Image 12-14-22 at 11.07 AM.jpg
 
That's a lot of force that little strut is resisting. Pretty impressive.
 
Just did this to my 2023 Bighorn 2500. Took 5-10 minutes. Ordered from EBay for $41 free shipping. Worth it.
 
44Dan44 said:
Pulled this pic from Ram and posting it because it's 2am and I've nothing better to do. Just gives an easy view perspective of the linkage and how it relates with the dampener, thought it might be helpful for someone about to install a dampener.View attachment 48778
Click to expand...
Interesting picture .. I added the strut to my Tradesman .. and the UP arrow indicates the dust protector should be on the bottom .. not the top ...
 
dmhines said:
Interesting picture .. I added the strut to my Tradesman .. and the UP arrow indicates the dust protector should be on the bottom .. not the top ...
Click to expand...
Yep! I made note of that when I did mine. Definitely down for the HD, contrary to the Ram graphic. I suspect @dieselscout80 is correct, maybe meant for the 1500's or maybe older HD's.
IMG_1390 2.JPG
IMG_1397.JPG
 
Thanks for the Info to add this

I just added this to my 2024 Bighorn - I ordered the OEM Shock since my truck is under warranty, I figured that if it goes bad before my warranty is up, I can get them to replace it (wishful thinking anyways)
The shock was $45 shipped off of eBay and come to find out the part was shipped within an hour of my house so I received it the next day

Now to buy the remote so I can add the tailgate open - was able to get the remote start working so add this should be a breeze now
 
Well i added the new remote that has the tailgate open and it works like a charm

It will not let me upload the video of it working though
 
sherdep said:
Well i added the new remote that has the tailgate open and it works like a charm

It will not let me upload the video of it working though
Click to expand...

You can't "upload" videos here if that's what you're trying. You need to host them somewhere else like youtube and use the Media option to post a link. They'll play embedded for most platforms.

1736026889157.png
 
Epsilon Plus said:
This thread is for adding the OEM tailgate strut/damper to any trim that doesn't have it. Many of the searches bring up the aftermarket Deezee type stuff, but the best (IMO) way to do this cheap and easy mod is to use the hidden OEM version.

The part number you will need is 68362518AA

As of this writing, I found mine from a MOPAR parts dealer online for $26.71. $36.14 shipped.

The "nubs" or strut mounts are on every 19+ RAM HD regardless of trim and are found behind the passenger taillight (see picture).

Some notes about the taillight to prevent damage:

Just know that when you take the screws off that face the tailgate cables, the taillight then pulls directly back towards the rear and slides off two button tabs fixed to the bed. Don't put a lot of outward twist on the light toward the right (if your facing towards the front of the truck) or these will break and you'll be sad.

View attachment 8679

Here is a picture from another thread (that also shows the two mounting "nubs"). Notice how behind the red arrow, the fastener channel is a half circle. This is the lower mount, there's also an upper. You can see how it needs to be drawn straight back to remove and to install, pushed forward to seat the "front" of the taillight before putting the screws back in.

There is an arrow on the strut to tell you which end needs to be oriented UP and fastened on the top nub. Snapping on the lower nub of the OEM strut is easier from underneath the truck. Your hand will fit up into a space and you'll feel it (even though it looks like you can't access it from underneath in the picture). I put the strut on the top nub first then climbed under to extend the strut and snap it on the lower nub.

After it's on, re-install the taillight and grab your tailgate "button" release and watch the magic. Because our tailgates all have a button/switch style release, it is possible that after adding this strut you can get (or program yourself with AlphaOBD) a remote tailgate release key fob. I haven't looked into adding the overhead console button, but knowing RAM, the wiring is probably there and you just need to get the right switch panel. The FOB or console button does the same as your finger and just activates the tailgate release switch, and the strut does the work of letting it down soft. Perhaps anyone who's added the FOB or console switch can add to this thread and all info will be contained in an easy to search/find format. I may do the FOB/console upgrades myself so if I do I'll add more here.

Hope any of this helps. Thanks to all the members posts that I learned this all from. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this post! Yesterday I added the OEM internal tailgate strut - now it drops nice and smooth. I think the OEM strut is a better solution than an aftermarket one that mounts externally. While some aftermarket struts might be good, others don't last long, or don't hold up well in really cold temps.

Without the warning in your post about pulling straight back on the tail light, I probably would have broken the outboard tabs. After you undo the two inboard torx screws (#25 Torx), it would be easy to pull more on the inboard side of the tail light, because you can't get much purchase on the outboard edge of the tail light (only a tiny gap there to get your finger tips in).

The OEM strut I bought from the dealer ($56) was half-compressed, and I didn't think to either fully extend it, or fully compress it before installing. Once I clipped it to one knob, I couldn't get it to the other knob with the tailgate fully open, or fully closed, so I needed someone to hold the tail gate half open, then I snapped it into place. For anyone trying this, it is probably easier to install with the tailgate open, so - if possible - fully extend the strut before you begin.

Also - doing this outdoors in sub-freezing temps is probably not optimal ;)

Thanks again for your post!
 
I did mine today. I just pulled on both ends of the strut until it was completely extended. Snapped right on nice and easy with the tailgate all the way open. The tailgate drops slower than the 1500 bighorn I traded
 
eBay FYI, I have a Mopar damper that I installed about a year and a half ago, still works great on my 2021 Tradesman. I just bought a 2024 Tradesman and bought the Chopar (Chinese Mopar) damper. Absolutely not the same quality! It dampens a little but at the end it still clunks from the weight of the tailgate! It’s better than nothing and I moved it to the 2021 since I am selling it. I paid $39.13, tried to return it but the sellers on eBay now try to give you a partial refund…after several attempts to request a refund, I finally gave up accepted an $18 partial refund (they didn’t want to pay for return shipping)….what a Hassle!

Buy Mopar! And the rubber boot definitely has to be on the bottom! If not the Mopar damper will dampen like the Chopar damper! Awesome upgrade!
 
sherdep said:
Well i added the new remote that has the tailgate open and it works like a charm
Click to expand...
What did you have to do for this? You purchased a new FOB and then had to have it programmed for your truck?
 
JBoze said:
What did you have to do for this? You purchased a new FOB and then had to have it programmed for your truck?
Click to expand...
Every fob already has the circuitry built in. You can confirm by removing the circuit board from your remote and touching a wire on the 2 contacts that would be under the tailgate open button. All you need to do is solder on a button or get a fob that has it already there and get it programmed/program it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top