After having an F-150 with an automatic tailgate I didn’t like how the Ranger tailgate drops so abruply. Especially when I know you can get a strut to prevent that from happening.
I decided to install a DeeZee Tailgate Assist P/N DZ43206.
Installation is pretty easy.
First you remove the rear most bolt at the hinge.
Then install the strut on to the supplied lower mount with the new bolt.
Then replace the upper bolt on the hinge bracket with the new supplied bolt.
Remove the cable for the tailgate and then the latch bolt.
Install the new upper strut mount behind the factory latch bolt.
Reinstall the cable and snap the upper strut mount
It’s a quick and easy modification.
Click below to see a video.
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.
Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.