How to Install Tailgate Assist on Dodge Ram: A Safe DIY Guide
A heavy tailgate can be awkward to lower, especially when one hand is carrying groceries, tools, or a trailer connector. A tailgate-assist kit adds controlled resistance so the panel drops more slowly instead of falling under its own weight. The upgrade is usually straightforward, but the exact bracket locations and fasteners depend on the Ram’s generation, bed length, tailgate design, and the kit manufacturer.
For most compatible Dodge Ram and Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 applications, the job involves installing a vehicle-specific bracket near one tailgate hinge and attaching a gas-assist strut between that bracket and the tailgate. Some kits use existing holes; others require a small amount of drilling. The safest method is to confirm the application before removing anything and to keep the tailgate supported while working.
This guide explains how to install tailgate assist on Dodge Ram without guessing at fitment or forcing hardware into the wrong location. You will learn how to inspect the kit, identify the mounting points, install the brackets and strut, adjust the hardware when the instructions allow it, and verify that the tailgate opens and closes normally. The procedure assumes a healthy, standard tailgate; damaged hinges, bent panels, or unusual aftermarket accessories should be addressed first.
At a glance
- Confirm the kit matches the exact Ram year, body style, bed, and tailgate before installation.
- Support the tailgate and never rely on the gas strut to hold an unsupported panel during assembly.
- Test the full opening and closing range slowly before using the truck normally.
How to install tailgate assist on Dodge Ram safely
A tailgate-assist kit does not replace the factory cables, hinges, or latches. It supplements the tailgate with a gas spring or similar damped support, so the panel has less free-fall when opening and may feel lighter during the first part of its travel. Start with the kit’s instructions because bracket shape, bolt size, and installation side vary by vehicle and brand.
Tools you will need
- Vehicle-specific tailgate-assist kit, including its brackets, fasteners, spacers, and gas strut
- Socket set and ratchet that match the supplied fasteners and factory hardware
- Torx or hex bits, if specified by the kit or the Ram’s existing hardware
- Torque wrench, if the instructions provide tightening values
- Trim tool or flat plastic pry tool, only if a bed liner or trim piece blocks access
- Assistant or sturdy support for the tailgate during bracket installation
- Small drill and correctly sized drill bit, only for kits that explicitly require drilling
Step 1 Confirm the kit matches the truck
Read the application list on the box or instruction sheet before opening the tailgate hardware. Check the Ram model, model year, cab or body configuration, bed length, tailgate style, and whether the truck has a multifunction, split, damped, or aftermarket tailgate.
Lay out the parts and compare them with the diagram. A typical kit includes a gas strut, a body-side bracket, a tailgate-side bracket, bolts, washers, spacers, and sometimes replacement hinge or cable hardware. If a bracket does not resemble the illustration or a fastener count is wrong, stop and resolve that mismatch before installation.
Also inspect the tailgate itself. Open and close it by hand while standing clear of its path. It should move smoothly, remain attached by both support cables, and latch evenly.
A tailgate that binds, sags, rattles heavily, or has a bent hinge is not a good candidate for an assist kit until the underlying problem is repaired.
Important
Do not install a universal-looking strut by improvising a mounting point. An incorrect angle can overload a hinge, interfere with the latch, or push the tailgate sideways.
Step 2 Park securely and prepare the work area
Park the truck on level ground, select Park, set the parking brake, and switch off the ignition. Keep the key away from the vehicle if it has power-operated tailgate features. Clear cargo from the bed and remove anything that could fall when the tailgate moves.
Clean dirt and gravel from the hinge and bracket areas with a brush or cloth. You do not need to disconnect the vehicle battery for a basic mechanical kit, but follow the kit instructions if the product includes wiring or a powered tailgate interface. Protect painted surfaces with a clean towel while laying out tools.
Position an assistant beside the tailgate, not directly behind it, or use a stable support method recommended by the instructions. The tailgate must not be allowed to drop while a factory cable or hinge fastener is loose.
Step 3 Identify the correct mounting side and reference points
Most tailgate-assist systems mount on one side of the truck, often near a hinge and the corresponding tailgate edge. The side is not universal, so use the kit diagram rather than assuming it belongs on the driver or passenger side.
With the tailgate open, locate the hinge, support cable attachment, nearby bed-side sheet metal, and any existing threaded holes. Hold each supplied bracket in its approximate position without tightening it. The holes, bends, and offset in the bracket should line up naturally with the truck and the strut’s intended attachment points.
Check the planned movement before removing hardware. The bracket should not touch the hinge, tailgate skin, cable, wiring, bed liner, or bumper through the full range of motion. If the kit uses a spacer, place it exactly as shown; a spacer may be necessary to keep the strut aligned with the bracket.
Step 4 Remove only the hardware specified by the instructions
Support the tailgate before loosening any bolt that also helps retain a cable, hinge, or bracket. Remove only the factory fastener identified by the kit instructions. Keep removed hardware separate from the supplied hardware because some installations reuse a factory bolt while others replace it.
Do not remove both tailgate support cables or loosen both hinge sides at once. Those parts help control the panel and keep it attached to the truck. If access requires the tailgate to be lowered farther than normal, have an assistant control it and follow the manufacturer’s stated position.
Once the specified bolt is out, inspect the exposed threads and mounting surface. Clean away rust or packed debris, but do not enlarge a hole or chase threads with a tool unless the instructions call for it and you understand the required size.
Step 5 Install the body-side and tailgate-side brackets
Place the body-side bracket against the bed or hinge area in the orientation shown by the kit diagram. Install each bolt, washer, and spacer by hand for several turns before tightening anything. This keeps the bracket movable enough to align all holes without cross-threading.
Install the second bracket on the tailgate using the specified attachment point. Some designs attach near the inner tailgate structure; others use a hinge-area fastener or a dedicated hole. Keep the bracket flush against its intended surface and make sure no edge is trapped against a trim panel or bed liner.
A useful way to approach how to install tailgate assist on dodge ram is to check your progress after each stage.
Snug the fasteners gradually and alternate between them when a bracket has more than one bolt. The bracket should sit squarely and should not twist when you apply light hand pressure. If a supplied bolt bottoms out before clamping the bracket, stop and compare the hardware with the parts diagram rather than adding random washers.
Step 6 Drill only when the kit specifically requires it
Some vehicle-specific tailgate-assist kits are bolt-on, while others require a small hole in a defined location. If drilling is part of the approved installation, measure from the reference points in the instructions, mark the center with a punch, and verify the location with the bracket before making the hole.
Protect nearby paint and wiring, use the bit size specified by the manufacturer, and drill through only the required material. Remove sharp burrs, apply suitable touch-up protection to exposed bare metal, and clean away metal chips before installing the fastener.
Never drill simply because the supplied bracket does not line up. Misalignment may indicate the wrong kit, the wrong mounting side, a missing spacer, or an incorrectly positioned bracket. If the location is uncertain, stop and confirm the application with the manufacturer or a qualified technician.
Step 7 Attach the gas strut in the correct direction
Identify the two ends of the gas strut and compare them with the kit diagram. Gas springs have a cylinder body and a thinner piston rod. Many manufacturers specify an orientation that keeps the rod protected or helps the internal lubricant reach the seal, so follow the supplied instructions rather than relying on a general rule.
Attach one end to the body-side ball stud or pivot, then attach the other end to the tailgate-side bracket. Depending on the design, the socket may snap over a ball stud with a retaining clip, or the strut may use a bolt and nut. Confirm that every retaining clip is seated and that the joint does not pull off with moderate hand pressure.
Move the tailgate slowly through its range while watching the strut. It should pivot at its joints without bending, rubbing, binding, or reaching the end of its travel before the tailgate reaches its normal open or closed position. If the cylinder is contacting the bed, bracket, cable, or tailgate, do not continue until the orientation and bracket position are corrected.
Step 8 Tighten the hardware and check alignment
With the tailgate in the position specified by the instructions, tighten the bracket fasteners. Use the manufacturer’s torque values when provided. If no value is listed, tighten securely without excessive force, especially where the fastener threads into thin sheet metal or an insert.
Hold the bolt head or stud stationary if the design requires it so the bracket does not rotate while the nut tightens. Recheck that the factory support cable remains seated and that the original latch and hinge hardware has not shifted.
At this point, the strut should be straight or follow the intended arc, with clearance at both ends of travel. A bracket that moves when the tailgate is operated needs correction before the truck is driven.
Step 9 Operate the tailgate slowly to verify the installation
Stand to the side and open the tailgate a small amount, then pause. Continue lowering it gradually while watching the bracket and strut. The assist should slow the descent without stopping the tailgate several inches above its normal open position.
Close the tailgate carefully and confirm that it reaches the latch without extra force. It should latch fully and sit evenly with the surrounding body panels. Open and close it several more times, including from the usual starting position, while listening for clicking, scraping, popping, or metal-on-metal contact.
Check your result
A successful installation leaves the factory cables and latch working normally, the tailgate moving through its complete range, and the assist strut clear of nearby parts at every point.
Step 10 Finish the inspection before loading the truck
Look over every installed fastener, retaining clip, spacer, and bracket. Confirm that no tool, drill chip, loose washer, or packaging material remains in the bed or hinge area. Wipe away fingerprints and lubricant, but do not spray lubricant onto a gas strut unless the manufacturer specifically recommends it.
Close the tailgate and inspect the gaps at both sides. Then open it again and check the support cables, hinge movement, and latch alignment. If the tailgate feels dramatically harder to close, sits crooked, or requires lifting to latch, stop using it and correct the installation.
After the first few uses, perform a quick visual check of the brackets and fasteners. A newly installed bracket should remain fixed against its mounting surface, and the gas strut should not show scratches from contact with another component. Understanding how to install tailgate assist on dodge ram also means recognizing the limits of the method.
How the tailgate-assist mechanism should behave
A tailgate-assist strut is a gas spring designed to provide force through part of the tailgate’s movement. It does not make the tailgate weightless, and its effect can change with temperature, tailgate position, and the geometry of the mounting brackets.
When the tailgate begins to open, the strut should resist a sudden drop. Near the bottom of its travel, the tailgate may still need gentle control by hand. When closing, the strut may help lift the panel initially, but you should still guide it into the latch instead of releasing it from a distance.
Compatibility matters more than the truck’s badge
“Dodge Ram” covers several generations and configurations, while newer trucks are branded simply as Ram. A kit intended for one model year may have a different bracket shape, hinge location, or gas-spring length than a kit for another. Bed length alone is not always enough to determine fitment.
Check for special equipment such as a factory damped tailgate, multifunction tailgate, power release, bed cap, tonneau cover, spray-in liner, or aftermarket hinge reinforcement. These features may not prevent installation, but they can change access or create clearance issues.
If the kit lists an exclusion for your configuration, treat that as a real compatibility problem rather than a suggestion. The correct solution is a matching kit or verified mounting hardware, not a homemade bracket that changes the strut angle.
Why the support cables and hinges still matter
The factory cables limit how far the tailgate opens and share the panel’s load with the hinges. The assist strut should not be used to replace a missing, frayed, stretched, or damaged cable. A cable that is not seated correctly can let the tailgate move farther than intended and overload the new bracket.
Likewise, a gas spring cannot repair worn hinge bushings or a bent tailgate. If the panel moves sideways, rubs one bedside, or has an uneven gap before the installation, resolve that mechanical issue first.
Checks to perform after installation
The most useful verification is a slow, repeated movement test rather than a single open-and-close cycle. Test the tailgate empty first, then confirm that normal bed accessories do not contact the strut or brackets. Keep your hands away from pinch points near the hinges and latch.
- The tailgate opens and closes through its original range.
- The latch engages fully without slamming or excessive lifting.
- Both factory support cables remain attached and properly seated.
- The strut does not scrape the bed, tailgate, cable, wiring, liner, or bumper.
- The brackets remain flush and do not rotate when the tailgate moves.
- No supplied bolt, nut, spacer, or retaining clip is missing.
- The tailgate does not fall quickly when released from a partially open position.
Do not use the assist as a reason to exceed the tailgate’s load rating. The strut controls movement; it does not increase the amount of weight the tailgate, cables, or hinges can safely support.
Common installation problems and practical fixes
Most problems come from incorrect fitment, a reversed bracket, a missing spacer, or a fastener installed before the bracket was aligned. The symptoms below can help you decide whether a simple inspection is appropriate or whether the installation should stop.
| What you observe | What to inspect |
|---|---|
| The tailgate still drops quickly | Confirm the strut is attached at both ends, the retaining clips are seated, and the kit is the correct application. A failed or incorrect gas spring may need replacement. |
| The tailgate will not close or latch | Look for a reversed bracket, missing spacer, strut contact, or a bracket mounted against the wrong surface. Do not force the latch. |
| The strut binds or bends | Check bracket orientation and full-travel clearance. Stop using the tailgate until the strut follows the intended pivot path. |
| A bracket shifts during operation | Inspect the bolt stack, thread engagement, and tightening procedure. Thin sheet metal may be damaged if the wrong hardware was used. |
| The tailgate sits crooked | Check hinge alignment, factory cables, tailgate damage, and whether the new bracket is pressing against the panel. The assist kit may not be the original cause. |
When the tailgate becomes too difficult to close
A small amount of closing resistance can be normal, particularly near the start of movement. Excessive resistance is not something to overcome by slamming the panel. Reopen it, inspect for contact, and compare the bracket position with the diagram.
Cold weather can also change gas-spring behavior, but temperature does not explain a bracket that rubs or a latch that no longer aligns. If the problem remains after confirming orientation and hardware, use the kit manufacturer’s support process or have a repair shop inspect it.
When to stop the job
Stop if a mounting hole does not match, a bolt will not thread by hand, a factory hinge or cable is damaged, or the tailgate must be held in an unsafe position to complete the work. Stop as well if drilling is required but the instructions do not clearly identify the location, bit size, or fastener method.
A professional inspection is appropriate when the tailgate is bent, the hinge area is cracked, the support cables are frayed, or the truck has a powered or multifunction tailgate that does not behave normally. The assist kit should be an addition to a sound tailgate, not a workaround for structural damage.
Beginner FAQs about Dodge Ram tailgate assist
These answers cover the questions that commonly arise before and immediately after a first installation. The product instructions remain the final authority when they differ from a general explanation.
Can I install a tailgate-assist kit by myself?
Many bolt-on kits can be installed by one careful person, but an assistant makes the job safer because the tailgate is heavy and must be controlled while hardware is loosened. Use help whenever the instructions require supporting or repositioning the panel.
Do all Dodge Ram tailgates use the same assist kit?
No. Fitment can vary by model year, body style, bed length, tailgate design, hinge arrangement, and special equipment. Match the kit to the exact application before installation.
Does a tailgate assist replace the factory support cables?
No. The factory cables should remain installed and functional. They limit the opening range and help support the tailgate, while the assist strut mainly controls movement.
Should the tailgate open all the way with the strut installed?
Yes, it should normally reach the truck’s intended open position without binding or stopping prematurely. The exact feel varies by kit, but the strut should not limit travel unless the manufacturer specifically designed it to do so.
Can I lubricate the gas strut?
Usually, no routine lubrication is needed. Keep the piston rod clean and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions; oil or grease in the wrong place can attract grit or affect the seal.
What if my Ram has a tonneau cover or bed liner?
Check clearance with the tailgate open and closed before final tightening. A liner or cover may hide a mounting hole or touch the strut, and some kits require a compatible trim modification described in their instructions.
Finish with a controlled, repeatable tailgate test
Learning how to install tailgate assist on Dodge Ram is mainly a matter of correct fitment, careful support, and precise bracket alignment. Once the vehicle-specific brackets are secure and the strut moves freely, the tailgate should lower in a controlled way while the original cables, hinges, and latch continue to do their jobs.
Before treating the installation as complete, repeat the full opening and closing test, inspect for contact, and confirm that the tailgate latches evenly. If any fastener, bracket, or mounting location remains uncertain, leave the kit unused until the instructions or a qualified technician provide a clear answer.
