easylift for tailgate

greybeards22 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2005, 12:32 PM

just bought an easylift "spring" for my tundra.Supposed to take 80percent weight off tailgate for easier lifting and lowering.(TWO FINGER ) operation for the women in our lives!!!!! and at under 30.00$ local, a good addon!!! made by HOPKINS MFG.

Mark2550 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2005, 10:03 PM

How difficult was this to install? do you have a picture? my wife says the tailgate is extremely hard for her to lift, might have to pick up one for her you know x-mas is coming soon and it would be another mod for me

george60 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-04-2005, 01:02 AM

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I was real interested in this when I saw the ad in Truckin'. But I have the Line-of-Fire LED light strip between the bottom of the tailgate and bumper. I figure there wouldn't be room.

greybeards22 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-04-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark2550

How difficult was this to install? do you have a picture? my wife says the tailgate is extremely hard for her to lift, might have to pick up one for her you know x-mas is coming soon and it would be another mod for me

did not install it yet .Found out it is for 2003 and newer. Waiting to hear from company if it will work on earlier models like my 2000. Will let people know when I find out.!!!

greybeards22 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-04-2005, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by george60

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I was real interested in this when I saw the ad in Truckin'. But I have the Line-of-Fire LED light strip between the bottom of the tailgate and bumper. I figure there wouldn't be room.

I have the line of fire lights also. Do you know for a fact that it will interfere??thanks

Yellbird · #6 (**permalink**) 12-04-2005, 05:22 PM

Did it cover the hole that you use to lower your spare tire?

Quote:

Originally Posted by george60

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I was real interested in this when I saw the ad in Truckin'. But I have the Line-of-Fire LED light strip between the bottom of the tailgate and bumper. I figure there wouldn't be room.

greybeards22 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-04-2005, 05:34 PM

did not put it on yet. need to talk to tech. for it is said to be for 2004 and newer.mine is a 2000.

keninsb · #8 (**permalink**) 12-15-2005, 04:00 PM

I called Hopkins and they said that the torsion bar "Easy Lift" was for the '04 and newer. I told them that I didn't think there was any difference between the '04 and my '02 tailgate. I told them I would buy one and try it out and call them with my results.
Well, I have to say results are mixed. The product does what it says it will do, but following the manufacturers instructions the holes I had to drill seemed too small. When I went to put the torsion bar in, it actually bent the metal where the torsion bar is inserted into the hole, both on the truck AND the tailgate.
I am going to post some pics after I send them to the manufacturer. I don't think it is a big deal, but think that drilling some slightly larger holes (maybe 7/16" instead of 3/8") would probably solve the problem or at least alleviate some of the pressure.
I will say this: It does what it is supposed to. The tailgate can be lifter and lowered with two fingers. My tailgate has Linex installed so it is slightly heavier. The weight is just right for the easy lift (the tailgate just lays flat). It is so close that when I remove the cover that is installed on the instiled of the tailgate, the tailgate will actually not lay flat, as the torsion bar lifts it about 2".
Anyway, want to post my feedback on this product. Oh, BTW, if you are interested in getting one, the best price I found was here:
http://www.truckcustomizers.com/products/K5HOPTB.1.html
They have it for $22.31 +$5.99 shipping. Got it in two days.

Ken

Thumbnails Posted!

Yellbird · #9 (**permalink**) 12-23-2005, 09:06 PM

Just installed mine and works as stated. My tailgate has the sprayed on liner so the extra weight really makes it lie flat. Very nice mod. Had problem putting gate back on but lowered the right side to insert gate on left side and that made it easy to install.

george60 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-24-2005, 12:18 AM

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a. Line of Fire LED DOES NOT cover hole for lowering spare. There is quite a bit of vertical adjustment space. You just have to be real careful where you put the stick-on pads because they have super-glue or something. Once you press them down they're going to stay put!

b. I don't know if the LED strip light would interfere with the tailgate assist.
I've only seen pictures ... my gut feeling is it would not.

George60
Merry Christmas to ya'll!

Steelshot · #11 (**permalink**) 07-31-2007, 07:55 PM

Ken,

Do you think the torsion bar will continue to bend the sheet metal as it works in the drilled hole? Also, is there any way the tailgate end of the bar could work against the outer tailgate sheet metal?

keninsb · #12 (**permalink**) 07-31-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelshot

Ken,

Do you think the torsion bar will continue to bend the sheet metal as it works in the drilled hole? Also, is there any way the tailgate end of the bar could work against the outer tailgate sheet metal?

Well, I have had my torsion bar installed for quite some time now. I have noticed NO additional "bending" of the sheet metal. The tailgate side of the torsion bar MUST be installed inside the tailgate.
The torsion bar has been AWESOME and is still one of my favorite mods. You can lift the tailgate with one finger.
Ken