Tailgate damper kits

Ducfat · Post by **Ducfat** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:36 pm

Hi, has anyone fitted a tailgate damper kit to their Ranger? If so, are they worthwhile, where did you get it, cost etc?
I notice there are a few different ones advertised on the Google. Some have two and others only one damper supplied. Do they also assist in lifting the tailgate as well as lowering?
Thanks in advance,
Matt

rjbarrington · Post by **rjbarrington** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 5:49 pm

I fitted a twin strut kit that damps the drop and assists with the lift. Definitely worth having if it's a multi-use ute... safer for family members too, IMO. Bought on Ebay from these guys - http://stores.ebay.com.au/STRUT-ACTUATO ... ut-Us.html

Wokka Wokka · Post by **Wokka Wokka** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 6:36 pm

I'll second what rjbarrington said, I got the same twin strut set, brilliant. You can pick up a single strut a lot cheaper, but this set makes it easier to lift as well, which is a big bonus. Very easy to fit, lovely smooth opening motion. The only issue I had was I didn't have a torx bit big enough for the bigger hinge bolts on the tailgate (but now I have a set I'm happy to help anyone out who's centralish to Melb if they don't want to buy a larger set of torx bits)

This is what I got - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201291148099 ... EBIDX%3AIT

I showed it to a guy I was buying something off, he was well impressed, got his Dad to come over and try as well, they both have Rangers and wanted me to send them the link.

robbo mcs · Post by **robbo mcs** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 7:46 pm

I have the mazda Bt-50 official accesory "EZ down" which is a one sided strut. Not really that helpful, slow release down but does not assist with the lift, which is the part my wife has problems with.

If you are going to get one, definitely go for one that assists the lift as well

Ducfat · Post by **Ducfat** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:29 pm

Thanks for the replies guys. Earlier this arvo, I ordered a pair from Grunt 4x4 in Melbourne. Easy lift as well as the drop. $145 delivered. Should have them Monday all being well.

bandit11 · Post by **bandit11** » Sat Dec 17, 2016 3:48 pm

Ducfat wrote:Hi, has anyone fitted a tailgate damper kit to their Ranger? If so, are they worthwhile, where did you get it, cost etc?
I notice there are a few different ones advertised on the Google. Some have two and others only one damper supplied. Do they also assist in lifting the tailgate as well as lowering?
Thanks in advance,
Matt

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bandit11 · Post by **bandit11** » Sat Dec 17, 2016 4:00 pm

Well worth the money comes with two dampers for tailgate and two for the bonnet from mob in Vic

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gordo350 · Post by **gordo350** » Sat Dec 17, 2016 4:37 pm

Saw this one at a show. Didn't buy it as was short on cash at the time. Think it was around $250 . It comes with new hinges that are spring loaded to assist in uplift. Seemed to work pretty good
https://www.pjs4x4.com.au/prolift/

Ducfat · Post by **Ducfat** » Tue Dec 20, 2016 9:43 pm

Fitted my "slow down, Easy up" tailgate dampers today. They work a treat. Money well spent I reckon.

http://typicalbanana.com/grunt-4x4-tail ... cfa7a.html

Davidpk54 · Post by **Davidpk54** » Sat Dec 24, 2016 8:20 am

I brought a pro lift from PJ's 4x4 from shepparton vic works very well easy to fit

Rastus · Post by **Rastus** » Sat Dec 24, 2016 4:18 pm

I got a twin strut set off eBay and couldn't fault the seller. When one of the struts I received was no good (had a leak and it sounded and extended/compressed like an old bike pump), they replaced straight away.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201477453974 ... EBIDX%3AIT

I was in the same boat as Wokka Wokka and didn't have the torx bits required, but luckily Aldi had them on sale that week.
Happy enough with the install and the results are ok. Unlike some videos I've seen mine comes down a little too quick still for my liking, so much so that I still hold the tailgate. But, lifting is great. One finger operation so good for the missus & kids.

tgb1163 · Post by **tgb1163** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 2:47 pm

Just installed the Grunt 4X4 Tailgate Easy Up and Down Strut Kit. An excellent product and service from Grunt 4X4. Highly recommend them.

Planetbob · Post by **Planetbob** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 4:12 pm

I also installed the Grunt twin struts.. mainly because I was worried the kids would get flattened by the heavy tailgate. They work well.

BLACKCRUSADER · Post by **BLACKCRUSADER** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:56 pm

Ducfat wrote:Hi, has anyone fitted a tailgate damper kit to their Ranger? If so, are they worthwhile, where did you get it, cost etc?
I notice there are a few different ones advertised on the Google. Some have two and others only one damper supplied. Do they also assist in lifting the tailgate as well as lowering?
Thanks in advance, Matt

OK I live in Taiwan so won't help much. Paid A$37 fitted.
By the way be careful as one chap came to change his as it had scraped of the paint on the inside of the tailgate as it was rubbing on it. Mounted with the ram at bottom so it scraped the tailgate.

The one I had fitted slows the down but no assist on closing which is fine by me.

Son of Sun · Post by **Son of Sun** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 2:44 am

Installed the EZY down two years ago, cost $140. Worked well to safely lower the tail gate. Unfortunately it now screeches every time I lower or raise it. Its stuffed after only two years. So will be looking at the Pegasus unit, sold by PJ 4x4. Helps lower and lift. I hate buying things twice but no mater how long I spend looking and researching it still happens?

bloodnut · Post by **bloodnut** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 8:34 pm

Install the Sammitr T lift had springs that attach at both hinges and a gas strut on one side to slow the fall so far seems very good but $250 so should be.i went that way so I have an Australian number to ring when things go pear shaped
It is a genuine 1 finger raise and lower though.

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Post by **Trublu** » Thu Jan 26, 2017 9:27 pm

I did have a single strut installed previously but it broke just after 12 months, I put it down to as a cheap inferior type.
Now I have installed the Grunt twin strut kit, will see see how it fairs compared to the last one, it seems to operate better as the previous strut I had.

wallofdeath · Post by **wallofdeath** » Fri Jan 27, 2017 5:38 am

I have the Oem strut and it works a treat
£65 and worth every penny

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Ducfat · Post by **Ducfat** » Fri Aug 31, 2018 10:38 am

Well, I installed the Grunt 4x4 Ezy up and down rams as I said in my earlier post. 18 months later and what a piece of rubbish they are. A few times the plunger seemed to unscrew from the mount (over time) and also the circlips lasted about ten mins before they failed. Now the thread on the top of the plunger won't screw into the end piece because the thread is damaged from coming loose/falling out too many times. Not impressed.
I sent off an email through the Grunt website, complaint that their product had failed and got no reply.
So Im looking for a better quality set now. Although the price I paid for this POS, they should have lasted a lifetime.
Not happy.

Wokka Wokka · Post by **Wokka Wokka** » Fri Aug 31, 2018 7:57 pm

My set (not Grunt 4x4) are still going OK, but to be fair I don't open the tailgate a lot as my bike racks are on top of the tonneau cover. Mine had a circlip, but also a split pin, so no issues with them moving.

Rosspat · Post by **Rosspat** » Fri Aug 31, 2018 8:21 pm

Ducfat wrote:Well, I installed the Grunt 4x4 Ezy up and down rams as I said in my earlier post. 18 months later and what a piece of rubbish they are.

Been quite a few failures with this brand, including mine.

I recently installed a pair of ARB struts, I will see how they go.

Post by **Trublu** » Fri Aug 31, 2018 10:20 pm

Cannot complain with my Grunt struts, so far they doing the job without any problems.

Ducfat · Post by **Ducfat** » Sat Sep 01, 2018 4:16 pm

Rosspat wrote:
Ducfat wrote:Well, I installed the Grunt 4x4 Ezy up and down rams as I said in my earlier post. 18 months later and what a piece of rubbish they are.
Been quite a few failures with this brand, including mine.

I recently installed a pair of ARB struts, I will see how they go.

Are the ARB kit, easy up AND down? What did it cost?
Cheers.

Rosspat · Post by **Rosspat** » Sun Sep 02, 2018 2:19 pm

Ducfat wrote:
Rosspat wrote:
Ducfat wrote:Well, I installed the Grunt 4x4 Ezy up and down rams as I said in my earlier post. 18 months later and what a piece of rubbish they are.
Been quite a few failures with this brand, including mine.

I recently installed a pair of ARB struts, I will see how they go.
Are the ARB kit, easy up AND down? What did it cost?
Cheers.

Up & Down = yes

Retail is $175

I got 3 others that wanted them and we got 4 sets for less than $150 a set.

Ducfat · Post by **Ducfat** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 11:26 am

Well, some great news. Finally heard back from Grunt 4x4 and they were most apologetic re the faulty damper kit I had. They are replacing it with a newer (Series 2") version with a 2 year warranty.
Great after sales service.

DangerRanger · Post by **DangerRanger** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:02 am

G'day All

Had one of my Grunt ezy up and down struts let go yesterday - sent them an email last night asking if someone could call me re: this issue and first thing this morning got a call from Grunt 4x4 ( Dave ) who apologized for my inconvenience, took down my address and guaranteed I will have a complete set of the new improved better designed series 2 version in my letterbox by Wednesday at the latest !!

You cannot get any better after sales service than that !!

I would highly recommend this company and product to anyone !

I will post feedback on the new designed struts after my desert trip leaving this Saturday

Cheers

Gazz

Ducfat · Post by **Ducfat** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 1:41 pm

Ducfat wrote:Well, some great news. Finally heard back from Grunt 4x4 and they were most apologetic re the faulty damper kit I had. They are replacing it with a newer (Series 2") version with a 2 year warranty.
Great after sales service.

Well, the new design kit arrived first thing the next morning!
Easy fitting and I must say, it's a far better designed product than the one it replaces.
Once again, great after sales service and warranty backup. Something that's becoming a rarity nowadays.
Dave also sent a small gift with the replacement kit, as a good will gesture.
Cant get better than that.

DangerRanger · Post by **DangerRanger** » Mon Sep 17, 2018 2:03 pm

That's good to hear Ducfat

Look forward to getting my new ones on asap

Cheers

Gazz

DangerRanger · Post by **DangerRanger** » Wed Sep 19, 2018 4:41 pm

Just fitted my new struts - how good are they compared to the old design !!

lincolnland · Post by **lincolnland** » Wed Sep 19, 2018 5:16 pm

pics please

DangerRanger · Post by **DangerRanger** » Wed Sep 19, 2018 6:23 pm

Will do my best tomorrow to post pics !

lincolnland · Post by **lincolnland** » Wed Sep 19, 2018 6:53 pm

thank u sir!

Ducfat · Post by **Ducfat** » Fri Sep 21, 2018 12:42 pm

DangerRanger wrote:Just fitted my new struts - how good are they compared to the old design !!

Yep, much better eh? Here's mine I fitted the other day.

Griffo211 · Post by **Griffo211** » Wed Oct 10, 2018 12:43 pm

Yeah I to have fitted a twin strut to the tailgate , more for the slow drop down effect as was getting frustrated
with the kids opening and just dropping it . Works a charm and the up assist strut takes a far amount of weight out of it .

axs · Post by **axs** » Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:02 pm

I looked at doing this mod but decided against it. Don't want to make life too easy for the kids, they need to learn about gravity. It's also good for the wife's strength training, no reason to not do bicep curls when we're bush.

lincolnland · Post by **lincolnland** » Thu Oct 11, 2018 5:00 pm

Lol. Youll wish u had it once youve used it

pitch · Post by **pitch** » Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:44 pm

seems like the MK3 has a new system on the tail gate to assist lowering and raising, i wonder if it can be retro fitted to MK2?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tySb-yOSxI4

lincolnland · Post by **lincolnland** » Thu Oct 11, 2018 10:52 pm

tailgate spring?

ktmsteve · Post by **ktmsteve** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 2:57 pm

DangerRanger wrote:G'day All

Had one of my Grunt ezy up and down struts let go yesterday - sent them an email last night asking if someone could call me re: this issue and first thing this morning got a call from Grunt 4x4 ( Dave ) who apologized for my inconvenience, took down my address and guaranteed I will have a complete set of the new improved better designed series 2 version in my letterbox by Wednesday at the latest !!

You cannot get any better after sales service than that !!

I would highly recommend this company and product to anyone !

I will post feedback on the new designed struts after my desert trip leaving this Saturday

Cheers

Gazz

Totally agree with you Gazz.
I had the exact same problems as you had with the older model struts from grunt 4x4. Thread was stripped on the top of the strut so sent grunt an email with pictures voicing my concerns. They rang me back the next day and were so apologetic about the situation and replaced with the series 2 version. I have received them today and they look much better designed. Hats off to dave at grunt 4x4. A true gentleman and again restores my faith in great customer service from australian based companies. Highly recommend these struts to anyone shopping for a set.

Cheers,
Steve

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Wokka Wokka · Post by **Wokka Wokka** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 5:29 pm

lincolnland wrote:tailgate spring?

Basically, yep, torsion bar/spring, same as the Amarok has, though from a description I was given by a mate with an Amarok, it mostly helps with the up part, as some people still fit the down struts. Dunno, never tried an Amarok myself.