May I ask is there a setting we need know when installing the damper? Should it be installed with the hatch at down position or should a wrench be used to preset the damper to a spectating position before inserting into the hinge?
Soft open lower tailgate for LC (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter teambell
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This has held up well, with no issues to speak of.
I did not have to preset the damper. I looked at whether I needed to do anything like that when I installed it but it works fine. Just follow my instructions. The hatch was in the down position when I installed the damper. Good luck.
Thanks brother. Waiting for parts to arrive from international sources...
Damper arrive. That was quick!
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All installed! I suggest this mod to all lc owners who do not have it.. so simple to do. You guys will love it. I do! It gives that tailgate a bit of class when you open it! Again thanks to all who have contributed to thread. Won’t be able to do it as problem free if it weren’t here.
Just did this today. Took a little over an hour. Man, that torsion bar makes it a PITA to remove the tail gate. I ended up with a bunch of scratches in the hinge area of the lower tail gate. Luckily the flap hides those hinges. So make sure you have some touch up paint on hand for those scratches and also to paint the sides of the drilled hole. If I were to do it again I would use some duct tape to tape the areas around the hinge to protect the paint while removing the tail gate.
I was expecting some trouble loosening the T-40 bolts of the check cables but my T-40 torx bit fit perfectly and had no problems loosening it.
I also had to install the damper itself while the tail gate was in the closed position. I first tried installing it in the open position like stated earlier in this thread but it wouldn't move.
Thanks @auggafj80 for the DIY guide! It's a great mod
I was expecting some trouble loosening the T-40 bolts of the check cables but my T-40 torx bit fit perfectly and had no problems loosening it.
I also had to install the damper itself while the tail gate was in the closed position. I first tried installing it in the open position like stated earlier in this thread but it wouldn't move.
Thanks @auggafj80 for the DIY guide! It's a great mod
Markuson
SILVER Star
Are you replacing the torsion bar or simply putting the existing one back?
Did you need access to the interior of the tailgate for anything (did you have to remove the plastic piece that includes the tool box forms, etc.)? Or was it all external.
I didn't have to replace or remove the torsion bar, I just had to loosen the torsion bar bolts on the tail gate so that I could get some wiggle room to unclip the bar from the mount in the body (it mounts from the bottom). You could remove the tail gate and install the damper without having to remove the interior trim panel, but I removed it anyway since it's just four bolts and some plastic clips. A plastic trim panel tool made removal quick and easy.
Thanks for sharing
A couple of tips. If you reach inside the tailgate after you have the cover off you can slide to torsion bar towards the center of the tailgate, This will relieve some of the tension on the torsion bar. Also my 2011 had no mark where the nut was located. I used a small bit 5/32 to start a pilot hole and then adjusted accordingly. You can spin the damper and install it with the tailgate opened.
hrtrob, glad you were successful at the project. it is a great mod. Cheap too. having more hands makes the work a lot easier and without any unforeseen damages. but it is recommended to have touch up paint for the nuts that need to be loosened which could not avoid getting chipped paint. agreed with whiskerz that the damper could be turned manually to the open position so that it cold be installed more conviniently.
Enjoy this mod brothers.
Enjoy this mod brothers.
Ordered the damper (only) for a 100 series. Looked it over and dont think it will be an issue fabbing something up. I will share my findings later on.
Do you know if it’s the same part number?
EverywhereBear
SILVER Star
Can some please post a video of how this is supposed to work - i.e. the soft open. I bought my 2008 LX CPO and never even realized my damper was not working till this thread. So I ordered the part from eBay Japan and got the dealer to do the install. I see no change/difference in the soft open, and the dealer is blaming it on a faulty part. I am trying to understand how this thing is supposed to work before I pursue it any further. Never missed the soft open till this thread and now it keeps flaring up my OCD. 
The interesting thing is that the dealer quoted me $600 CDN for the part.
The interesting thing is that the dealer quoted me $600 CDN for the part.
Can some please post a video of how this is supposed to work - i.e. the soft open. I bought my 2008 LX CPO and never even realized my damper was not working till this thread. So I ordered the part from eBay Japan and got the dealer to do the install. I see no change/difference in the soft open, and the dealer is blaming it on a faulty part. I am trying to understand how this thing is supposed to work before I pursue it any further. Never missed the soft open till this thread and now it keeps flaring up my OCD.
The interesting thing is that the dealer quoted me $600 CDN for the part.
2 Minutes, 30 sec. Notice how it does not drop harshly all the way down under its own weight.
