Dee Zee DZ43102 Tailgate Assist Install: 2007–2018 Silverado & Sierra (GMT900 & K2XX)
If your tailgate drops like a guillotine every time you pull the handle, you already know why people add a tailgate assist. The Dee Zee DZ43102 is a bolt-in shock that slows the drop and takes the strain off the tailgate cables and hinges. This covers what it fits, how the install actually goes, and the couple of spots people get hung up on.
Short version: the DZ43102 is a gas-strut-style tailgate assist that mounts between the bed and the tailgate on the driver’s side. No drilling on most trucks. Real install time is 15–30 minutes with hand tools.
Trucks, years and fitment
The DZ43102 (Dee Zee’s “EZ Down” assist) is built for the 2007+ full-size GM trucks:
- GMT900 (2007–2013) Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500
- K2XX (2014–2018) Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500
- HD models (2500/3500) generally covered through 2019, and the 2019 1500 “Classic”
Confirm fitment before you buy. Listings vary a little on the Sierra 1500 end year (some show through 2014, others through 2018), and cab/bed configuration can matter. Match the part to your exact year, make and cab.
Important model-year note: the DZ43102 is a 2007-and-up part. If you have a GMT800 (1999–2006, plus 2007 Classic), this is not your assist — Dee Zee sells a different unit for that generation. Don’t force a GMT900/K2XX part onto an older tailgate. Verify the correct assist for a GMT800 before ordering.
What it does (and what it doesn’t)
The assist replaces the factory driver-side tailgate support with a damped strut. When you drop the gate, the strut controls the fall instead of letting the cables catch the full weight.
What it helps with:
- Tailgate slamming down and stressing the cables
- Worn or stretched tailgate cables getting yanked
- One-handed tailgate operation when your other hand is full
What it is not:
- It is not a lift. It slows the drop; it does not raise the gate for you.
- It is not a fix for a tailgate that already has broken cables or a bent handle. Fix those first.
Tools you need
- 13mm and 15mm sockets or wrenches (verify against your hardware)
- Ratchet and a short extension
- Flat screwdriver or trim tool to pop the factory pivot/bracket
- Gloves — the bed corner and gate edge are sharp
Install process
- Open the tailgate to the flat, horizontal position and support it. Don’t let it hang on the cables while you work.
- Locate the driver-side tailgate pivot. The DZ43102 mounts on the driver’s side, tying the strut to the bed and the tailgate pivot area.
- Install the bed-side bracket per the included instructions, using the factory bolt locations. Most trucks do not require drilling.
- Attach the strut to the bed bracket and to the tailgate pivot point. Make sure the strut is oriented the way the instructions show — these dampers have a correct up/down and in/out orientation.
- Torque the hardware to the values on the Dee Zee instruction sheet. Snug and check; don’t gorilla it.
- Cycle the tailgate up and down several times. The drop should be smooth and controlled, and the gate should still latch normally.
Follow the printed Dee Zee instructions for the exact bracket position and hardware on your specific truck. Fitment brackets and bolt callouts can differ slightly between the GMT900 and K2XX beds.
Common mistakes and bad advice to avoid
- Installing it on a tailgate with bad cables. The assist controls the drop, but shot cables still need to be replaced. Do the cables first if they’re stretched or frayed.
- Wrong orientation. Mount the strut backwards or upside down and it won’t damp correctly. Check the instruction diagram.
- Skipping the fitment check. A 2019 1500 could be a “Classic” (K2XX) or the newer body depending on trim — those are different tailgates. Verify before ordering.
- Assuming it fits a GMT800. It doesn’t. Older trucks use a different Dee Zee part.
Verify after install
- Tailgate drops slowly and evenly, no free-fall
- Gate latches and releases normally on both sides
- No contact or binding between the strut and the bed or gate
- Hardware still tight after a few open/close cycles
FAQ
Does the DZ43102 fit a GMT800 (1999–2006)?
No. It’s a 2007-and-newer part. GMT800 owners need the correct Dee Zee assist for that generation — check fitment before buying.
Will it work on a 2500/3500 HD?
Generally yes, through 2019 for the HD trucks. Confirm against the listing for your year.
Do I have to drill?
On most of these trucks, no — it uses factory bolt locations. Your instruction sheet is the final word for your truck.
Does it lift the tailgate back up?
No. It slows and controls the drop. It does not raise the gate.
Will it stop my tailgate cables from breaking?
It takes a lot of the shock load off them, which helps. But if your cables are already worn, replace them.
Discuss this in the FullSizeChevy forum
Running the DZ43102 or a different assist? Post your truck, year and how the install went.
- GMT900 owners: GMT900 Tailgate Assist Install (2007–2013 Silverado/Sierra)
- K2XX owners: K2XX Tailgate Assist Install (DZ43102) — 2014–2018 Silverado/Sierra
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