Product review: EZLIFT

[cgperry]

Well, it wasn't a 20 minute install by any stretch of the imagination (as claimed on the box), but it wasn't hard. Mine was complicated by the fact that I had the tailgate lock installed, so I had to take off the access cover on the tailgate and disconnect the wiring to the solenoid first so that I could take the tailgate off.

The measuring and drilling was straightforward. Getting the tailgate situated correctly on the torsion bar was tricky, especially since it was just my wife and I to do it. With three people it would've been a snap since you'd have two to support/turn the gate and one to eyeball the marks on the torsion bar to see when you had it right. But we did get it and the difference is truly amazing. Since my truck is my daily driver and I'm often carrying tools in and out of it, it will be nice to be able to shut the tailgate without having to put everything down every time.

Thanks, Silent D for starting the thread about it. I would never have stumbled across this accessory on my own. One more reason this is a great forum...

 

[Django]

Well, it wasn't a 20 minute install by any stretch of the imagination (as claimed on the box), but it wasn't hard. Mine was complicated by the fact that I had the tailgate lock installed, so I had to take off the access cover on the tailgate and disconnect the wiring to the solenoid first so that I could take the tailgate off.

The measuring and drilling was straightforward. Getting the tailgate situated correctly on the torsion bar was tricky, especially since it was just my wife and I to do it. With three people it would've been a snap since you'd have two to support/turn the gate and one to eyeball the marks on the torsion bar to see when you had it right. But we did get it and the difference is truly amazing. Since my truck is my daily driver and I'm often carrying tools in and out of it, it will be nice to be able to shut the tailgate without having to put everything down every time.

Thanks, Silent D for starting the thread about it. I would never have stumbled across this accessory on my own. One more reason this is a great forum...

Thanks bro,

I think this is the best cheap mod ever......Tailgates are heavy....

SD

 

[Kevan]

Okay.
What's the secret magic trick for getting the EZ Lift bar past the tailgate socket on the left side so it can lay flat?
It's like one of those horse shoe puzzles....

 

[Django]

Okay.
What's the secret magic trick for getting the EZ Lift bar past the tailgate socket on the left side so it can lay flat?
It's like one of those horse shoe puzzles....

You have to remove the whole tailgate from both hinges.......

I know... I watched.......

D

 

[Kevan]

Yeah. Got that part. Tailgate is on the couch.

Now, how do I get "End A" of the EZ Lift into the side of the bed? Somehow it's got to get around the socket (which is mounted to the bed) and slide into the hole I just drilled, then lay flat against the edge of the bed?

Right now, it's not getting past the socket for the tailgate.

 

[harrisb]

I don't use my tailgate other than to clean the bed....

 

[Django]

It should go against the back wall...That is "behind" the hinge socket....

It's hard for me to get a picture without seeing it..... Do you have the instructions? They have a 1 (800) helpline if ya get stuck....

D

 

[Kevan]

I was going to call the help line, but wanted to check with my friends first. They're usually more helpful than the manufacturers are.

Let's see if they're open at 10:45PM....
EDIT: "Our normal business hours are.....
Awesome.

The down-sides to the EZ Lift:
- No website.
- No install video (though I thought there was one at one time. Maybe that was the EZ Down pneumatic thing).

Here's the pic. Please excuse the mess.

 

[Django]

I was going to call the help line, but wanted to check with my friends first. They're usually more helpful than the manufacturers are.

Kevan,

I'm looking at your picture...... Now I see what yer talking about....

The bar itself goes behind that socket and rests up against the back wall.....

And I'm not sure but you may have the wrong end in that side...not sure....looks too long...



Tim

 

[Bone]

Just ordered two today. So I'll be having fun next Kevin. I figured, I might as well have at it since the whole truck is torn down anyhow.

 

[Django]

Just ordered two today. So I'll be having fun next Kevin. I figured, I might as well have at it since the whole truck is torn down anyhow.

The EZ Lift is bitchen.....

Funny thing is Dave, it took me a good month to get out'a the habit of "muscling" the tailgate up..... It only takes two easy fingers to close the thing now.....

Best cheap mod since the cat delete......:rock:

Django

 

[Kevan]

Tim- It's the correct side of the EZ Lift (side A).
There is no way to maneuver the bar to get it past that socket so it can sit flush/vertical.
Not without a cutting torch.

Bone- I also picked up a locking tailgate latch. Pretty slick, looks OEM. I'll get you an auction number if you want. I'm *trying* to both at the same time...since I have the tailgate off.

Oh, and I have info about the hood light switch. Call or Email. It's not as simple as we had talked about.

 

[Azmal]

woe... sweet, I'm glad this thread came back up, I missed this... gonna order one now

 

[Bone]

Bone- I also picked up a locking tailgate latch. Pretty slick, looks OEM. I'll get you an auction number if you want. I'm *trying* to both at the same time...since I have the tailgate off.

Oh, and I have info about the hood light switch. Call or Email. It's not as simple as we had talked about.

Hood light switch??

I already have a tailgate lock....gotta lockup the Ho's at night.

Email is still down for me. Computer in shop, on wife's laptop. She won't let me post in the Offensive section. lol

 

[Kevan]

Well, I've checked with a friend who has a doctorate in Physics. He came back with "You're screwed".

Anyone else want in on this one?

Hood light switch??

Yeah. We'd talked about adding a switch to the underhood light so it could be turned on/off. I'll get ya a link to a thread if I start one.

 

[Bone]

Yeah. We'd talked about adding a switch to the underhood light so it could be turned on/off. I'll get ya a link to a thread if I start one.

Got it now. And done it, btw. Just a simple switch from autozone. It's funny how many people ask what the switch is for.

 

[Azmal]

So, looks like you're having a rough time with it Kevan... I just ordered mine. What do you suppose is the problem with yours? I see what you're talking about, just dont know why it'd do that if its a "15 min install".

 

[Kevan]

The problem is the tailgate socket. Pure and simple.
I'm not sure how they missed this, but it DOES NOT install without removing that. It takes a large TORX bit (picking up one tomorrow) for the two bolts holding it in place.

20-30 minute install?
No way.
Not even with 3 people.
As a trained team.

Realistically: 1-1.5 hours.
That's with a buddy, all the tools in front of you, and no beer/chicks.

INSTALLATION TIP:
-When drilling with the 3/8" bit, wrap some masking/duct tape around the whole bit leaving just the tip (maybe half an inch) of the bit exposed. This will prevent you from nicking other parts of the truck as you drill the hole.
Lesson learned the hard way with a tiny nick.
Now where's my touch up paint.....

 

[Django]

The problem is the tailgate socket. Pure and simple.
I'm not sure how they missed this, but it DOES NOT install without removing that. It takes a large TORX bit (picking up one tomorrow) for the two bolts holding it in place.

20-30 minute install?
No way.
Not even with 3 people.
As a trained team.

Realistically: 1-1.5 hours.
That's with a buddy, all the tools in front of you, and no beer/chicks.

INSTALLATION TIP:
-When drilling with the 3/8" bit, wrap some masking/duct tape around the whole bit leaving just the tip (maybe half an inch) of the bit exposed. This will prevent you from nicking other parts of the truck as you drill the hole.
Lesson learned the hard way with a tiny nick.
Now where's my touch up paint.....

I swear Kevan....... I watched and helped..... That fkr wasn't removed.

Django

 

[Kevan]

I'll shoot a video if it'd help me with a solution.
There is no way for the torsion bar to go in without the tailgate socket being removed. I screwed with it for 2 hours trying to wiggle it into place.

If you/your guys did it without removing that, I'd LOVE to hear how.