Guides - DieselPowerUp

Best Upgrades for the 7.3L Power Stroke

Updated November 30, 2021 by Jeff Hart

The 7.3L Powerstroke is commonly regarded as possibly the best Powerstroke engine that Ford has made to date. It wasn’t plagued with the head gasket problems of the 6.0L Powerstroke, nor was it weighed down by the emission issues that were found in the 6.4L Powerstroke and the 6.7L Powerstroke. These factors and more allow the 7.3 to have incredible reliability and power capability, making it an excellent powerplant that lasts for a very long time.

Singing my praises for the 7.3 aside, we all know how good it is, but there are still a few things that can be done to improve it beyond what Ford engineered it to do. The best mods for these engines have to do with reliability, adding power, and improving MPGs. A lot of them are quite simple, effective, and cheap, and will work wonders to transform your truck to another level of performance.

We came up with his guide to categorize the most popular mods for the 7.3L. In the name of keeping it simple, it starts with the most popular mods to do, the ones that have the most impact on performance and goes down the list from there. You can also use the table of contents below to skip to whatever mod you might be interested in most.

Best Intake Kit for the 7.3L

S&B Filters Cold Air Intake (Reusable Filter)

There is not much else (for the cost) that can wake up your truck like a new cold air intake. This S&B intake is probably the best that we’ve used for the 7.3L Powerstroke, it offers such a great return on investment as far as smiles per gallon go. A cold air intake is crucial for a starting mod, as it allows the engine to pull in a much higher volume of air, setting you up for success later down the line when you increase boost and lower backpressure.

aFe Power Magnum FORCE 54-10792 Ford Diesel Truck 94-97 V8-7.3L (td) Performance Intake System (Oiled, 5-Layer Filter)

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Amazon

as of January 18, 2022 9:31 pm

Features

Outflows the factory intake by 117%. Produces an additional 8 horsepower and 17 lbs. x ft. torque
5-Layer progressively finer oiled, washable cotton gauze media allows maximum airflow for maximum power
One-piece powder-coated heat-shield with a one-piece intake tube
Hassle-free installation that utilizes all factory mounting locations
This product is 50-state legal (CARB E.O Number D-550-4)

Best Exhaust Kit for the 7.3L

Magnaflow Turbo Back Single Side Exhaust System

Once you have the volume of air into the engine increased from upgrading to a high flow cold air intake, you’ll need to upgrade the flow out of the engine through the exhaust to match. A larger exhaust exhaust with smoother bends allows you to do this, by reducing the amount of backpressure behind the turbo. As we all know, combustion engines are basically complicated air pumps. The more air that you can pull in and then pump out, the more power can be made. It also increases the efficiency of the burn, if you upgrade the fueling to match.

4" Turbo Back Exhaust for 7.3L Powerstroke

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as of January 18, 2022 9:31 pm

A huge performance upgrade for the 7.3L Powerstroke, this exhaust system allows for maximum flow and minimum turbo backpressure, making your truck run more efficiently and with more power!

Key Features:

Delivers an Aggressive, Deep Exhaust Note
Includes Maximum Flow Muffler Delete Pipe
Installs with Common Hand Tools
Boosts Torque and Horsepower
Maximum Performance at a Minimum Price
Not for Use on Vehicles Equipped with a Catalytic Converter
1 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty

Best Tuner Chip for the 7.3L

TS Performance 6-way Switchable Tune

All the higher flow upgrades that you add to your truck are not going to do you nearly as much good until you adjust the fuel and burn to take full advantage of the added air. Fortunately for the 7.3L this is both easy and cheap to do, with a TS Performance chip. Simply plug the chip into your trucks PCM, and then run the wire for the tune selector to an easy to reach place by the steering wheel. The 6-position selector switch actually has 8 total options and allows you to change between the pre-loaded tunes as follows:

Valet Mode for when you don’t want a driver to have full power
Stock Mode for normal driving
High-Idle Mode to allow you quickly warm up your truck
Anti-Theft Mode for added protection
50 HP mode increases the wheel horsepower by 50
75 HP mode of course is a 75 horsepower increase
100 HP mode starts to add quite a bit of power at 100 more hp
140 HP mode will be where you need to start adding supporting mods

TS Performance Part # 1180402 Diesel Performance Horsepower/Fuel Economy Switchable Chip

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Amazon

as of January 18, 2022 9:31 pm

Features

Detailed Instructions Included
All HP Settings are RWHP
Easy Installation
In Cab Adjustable
Hardware and Programming are TS Performances' Design

Best Gauges for the 7.3

GlowShift complete gauge kit

If you have started upgrading and tuning your 7.3L, the most important thing that you can to preserve the heath of your engine is to monitor the vitals. In order of importance, the most critical things to monitor on any diesel are the EGT’s (exhaust gas temperatures) the boost pressure, and the transmission temperature (especially if towing.) This gauge set allows you to do that in one easy to install package.

GlowShift 1999-2007 Ford Superduty Tan Gauge Package Black Face Boost, EGT & Trans Temp

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as of January 18, 2022 9:31 pm

Features

GlowShift Diesel Gauge Package for the 1999-2007 Ford Super Duty 7.3L 6.0L Power Stroke F250 F350 Truck features a Factory Color Matched Tan Triple Pillar Pod, Black 7 Color Series 3 Gauge Diesel Set, Boost MAP Line T-Fitting Adapter, 3 Gauge Power/Sensor Wiring Harness & an Installation Guide that Walks Users Through the Process of Installing the Gauges, Sensors & Pod Step-By-Step
Includes 60 PSI Boost Gauge with 1/8-27 NPT Compression Fittings, 9' Nylon Boost Hose & Boost MAP Line T-Fitting Adapter - 1500°F Pyrometer EGT Gauge with 1/8-27 NPT EGT Probe with 3' of Wire, 6' Sensor Harness & 2' Power Harness - Transmission Temperature Gauge with 1/8-27 NPT Temperature Sensor & 2' Power/Sensor Harness - Black 7 Color Series Features a Black Dial, Clear Lens, 7 Solid Color Modes & 2 Color Cycle Modes
Factory Color Matched Tan Triple Pillar Pod for 1999-2007 Ford Super Duty 7.3L 6.0L Power Stroke F250 F350 Trucks Mounts 3 Gauges to the Truck's A-Pillar - Overlay Design Mounts Pod on Top of the Factory A-Pillar - Manufactured from ABS Plastic - UV Protected - Includes Mounting Hardware
Includes Ford Super Duty 7.3L 6.0L Power Stroke Installation Guide Complete with Step-By-Step Instructions & Photos that Help Walk You Through the Process of Installing & Wiring this Diesel Gauge Package to Your Truck
GlowShift Guarantee with One Year Limited Warranty & Free Lifetime Technical Support

Turbocharger Upgrade for 7.3L

Garrett Powermax GTP38R Ballbearing Turbocharger

The best turbo upgrade that you can do for your 7.3L is to swap over to this Garrett ball-bearing monster. With this upgrade, you can replace your tired original turbo with one that can spool much faster and supply significantly more boost throughout the entire rev range, giving you more power and torque.

Garrett Powermax GTP38R Ballbearing Turbocharger for Powerstroke 7.3L

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Amazon

as of January 18, 2022 9:31 pm

Features

Brand	Garrett
EAN	0754105020325
EAN List	EAN List Element: 0754105020325
Manufacturer Parts Warranty Description	Parts
MPN	739619-5004S
Package Dimensions	Height: 1051; Length: 1409; Weight: 3040; Width: 1189
Package Quantity	10
Part Number	739619-5004S
Product Group	Automotive Parts and Accessories
Product Type Name	AUTO_PART
Title	Garrett Powermax GTP38R Ballbearing Turbocharger for Powerstroke 7.3L
UPC	754105020325
UPC List	UPC List Element: 754105020325

AIH Delete Mod

GlowShift Air Intake Heater Boost Plug Sensor Thread Adapter

This mod allows you to remove the restrictive air intake heater out of the flow of incoming boost.

This heater is only activated at low ambient temps while the truck is idling for an extanded time, so 90% of drivers won’t even know its gone. The conditions for when it runs are as follows: oil temps below 131°F, glow plugs off, trans in park/neutral, parking brake on, charging system between 11.5 and 15.0 volts, and ambient temp below 32°F.

For how little it runs, it’s a lot better to pull that big heater element out and replace it with this plug, which also allows you to easily add an aftermarket boost pressure sensor.

7.3L Powerstroke Heater Sensor Thread Adapter for Ford 1999.5 2000 2001 2002 6.6L & 7.3L 2001 2002 2003 2004 GM LB7, and for Durmax Diesel

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Amazon

as of January 18, 2022 9:31 pm

Features

Fitment: for F250 F350 F450 Super Duty 7.3L Power Stroke 1999.5 2000 2001 2002 6.6L &7.3L GM LB7 Duramax 2001 2002 2003 2004
Replaces: for 7.3l and 6.6l Air Intake Heater sensor
Installation: Easy to install Sensor or Fittings to Intake Manifold Without Drilling and Tapping
Notice: Please confirm the adapters fitment and engines models before order

Nissan Titan XD 5.0L Cummins Deletes and Tuning (DPF, SCR and EGR)

Updated July 19, 2021 by Jeff Hart

The Titan XD with the new 5.0L Cummins is Nissan’s answer to the 1/2 ton diesel truck market, and from initial impressions they seem to have created a great new combination with this truck. The Titan XD is basically a 1/2 ton truck with the engine of a 3/4 ton truck, which really makes it fall into a class of it’s own.

Considering it puts out an impressive 310HP and 555 ft. lb of torque in a less than 8,000 pound truck, the XD sure seems to be punching well above it’s weight class.

All New Powerplant

At first glance, you’ll notice some very impressive materials and packaging used on this engine to make it as lightweight, compact, and powerful as possible.

The construction of the 5.0L is nothing short of high tech, with Cummins opting to use metal technologies like CGI (Compacted Graphite Iron) to make the block thinner and more lightweight while staying as strong as possible. Aluminum was used to cast the heads which heavily contributes to the 5.0L being much much lighter than any of the older diesel v8’s that we are used to.

The packaging was designed for a small footprint, using tricks such as tucking the turbos deep into the valley pan area, with the intake manifold just about being molded right around them.

Clean and Quiet

A lot of emphasis was put into making sure that the 5.0L Cummins V8 would put quietness and cleanliness at the forefront of their design.

The Bosch piezo injector system has the ability to fire five times during each combustion event, keeping the pistons from slapping the walls and creating unwanted noise. Cummins even took into consideration the timing of the fuel pump, and by running the Bosch CP4.2 off of the timing chain, they were able to set it with precision to sequence the combustion cycle.

And of course, because of modern diesel regulations, the 5.0 has all of the usual emissions equipment that you would find on any new truck.

The Problems

Just like every other modern diesel engine, there are always trade-offs. Namely the DPF, SCR and EGR systems. They’re what really hold this engine back from it’s full MPG and HP potential, while contributing to future failures.

Don’t get me wrong, when these systems are operating properly they do help to greatly reduce emissions and are generally a good thing. They’re also a requirement if you live in a country with regulations on diesel pollution. While they are good systems for reducing tailpipe emissions, they definitely have the trade-off of collateral damage that they can cause that becomes a concern for the longevity of your truck’s engine.

Fortunately, there are still options for those of us who don’t live in the United States, or who only use our trucks off-road.

How to delete the Titan XD

There are only a few parts that you will need to delete your 5.0 Cummins; a tuner, an exhaust, and a some way to block or turn off the factory EGR system. All of these parts together are what most will call a full delete kit.

We’ll start with the most important part first, the tuner. You won’t be able to run a deleted truck properly without it, so it is definitely a must have in order for everything to work.

Best Tuner for Deleting the Titan XD

EZ LYNK Tuner For 2016 2017 2018 Nissan Titan XD 5.0L Cummins

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Ebay.com

as of January 17, 2022 3:28 pm

Features:

Read / Clear Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Monitor Vehicle Specific Parameters
Record / Play / Send Vehicle Datalogs
Reflash / Update Engine Control Module
GDP Tuning
Compatible With Emissions Compliant & Emissions Detached Applications

Single Tune HP Levels:

20 HP – Economy
40 HP – Tow
60 HP – Street
120 HP – Race
140HP – Max Effort

**EGR DELETE DPF DELETE CAPABLE**

This setup also requires the use of an unlock cable. This is the missing link that lets the EzLynk talk to the Titan XD for a 100% working solution.

Titan XD DPF/DEF/Cat Delete Exhaust Kit

4" Delete Exhaust for 16-17 Nissan Titan XD Cummins

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as of January 17, 2022 3:28 pm

Features:

| Mandrel Bent 16GA Stainless Steel |
4" Diameter |
Deletes Both The Diesel Particulate Filter and Catalytic Converter |

EGR Delete Options

Unfortunately, there really aren’t any readily available delete kit options for physically blocking off the EGR system on the 5.0L Cummins, instead most everyone simply turns off the EGR function with the tune.

As someone who really values a clean engine bay free of unnecessary junk, I would like to see the market respond with some more options for EGR block off plates for this truck.

Stay tuned here for updates, we will make sure to post any new delete kit options as they become available.

Conclusion

I hope this guide has helped you to understand what parts you’ll need to delete your 5.0L Cummins equipped Titan XD.

Feel free to reach out to us in the comments below with any questions or suggestions. Thanks for reading!

Deleting and tuning the 2.8L Duramax LWN | Remove DPF, DEF and EGR

Updated July 19, 2021 by Jeff Hart

From the factory, the 2.8L LWN Duramax is a remarkably stout and impressive power plant for the 2015-2017 Colorado and Canyon trucks. Straight out of the box people have been praising the power and performance of this compact 4 cyl. diesel motor. It’s so good most people don’t need to do a thing to it besides drive it (and change the oil, frequently.)

Of course, nothing can ever be perfect, and every engine has it’s weaknesses. We wouldn’t have to keep buying new parts or new trucks if they lasted forever. In the case of the LWN, well it wouldn’t be a modern diesel without complicated modern emissions equipment. That complicated modern emission equipment has some…. tradeoffs.

In fact, one of the main complaints so far has been that some of these trucks have already been throwing emissions codes because of a non-functioning, clogged up EGR system and related sensors going off for the DPF and SCR efficiency, in chain reaction to the EGR malfunction.

Most of the time, a thorough cleaning of the EGR system can make the codes go away, but it’s just gonna be one of those procedures that will have to be added into your maintenance schedule as you rack up the miles. The DPF filter is also going to need to be replaced in the higher mileage trucks at some point, the clogging happens there as well. Even more so when the EGR isn’t working properly.

And of course, the DEF isn’t going to fill itself.

Properly maintained and working correctly however, these systems do work really well together to make the LWN one of the “cleanest” diesels available.

What are the EGR, the DPF and the SCR/DEF injection systems?

These are the series of parts works together in order for the LWN to meet emissions output regulations. In order to better understand them, let’s do a quick overview of how each of these individual components function:

The DEF system is what uses the urea fluid (aka blue def or adblue) injection into the SCR, vaporizing the fluid mixture into ammonia and carbon dioxide that can be filtered by this catalyst into nitrogen and water. In theory, this a great addition to the overall reduction of emissions output. In reality though, the urea mixture is a little too volatile for long-term reliability, especially in cold climates. Urea likes to crystallize and evaporate when exposed to cold temps or air, which can wreak havoc on the injection system. These systems have numerous sensors and a heating element contained in the holding tank, which get attacked by the corrosive fluid and will almost always fail over time in one way or the other. Overhauling these injections systems can get quite costly.

In the DPF portion of the exhaust you have the filter that takes the remainder of NOx and filters out as much as possible by grabbing the carbon as it flows through the tiny passageways of the filter. As you can imagine, these passageways don’t take a lot to get clogged up, this is why you have what is called the “regen mode” which works by super-heating the filter to burn away carbon deposits. The burn is created by over-fueling the engine to make the exhaust gas temperature rise very high in order to vaporize deposits. Over-fueling does have the negative effect of also dumping some of the fuel into the oil, thereby reducing it’s longevity and lubrication effectiveness. For this reason, it is VERY important to follow the oil change intervals as closely as possible to combat the diluted oil. The DPF filter itself will also clog after some time, and require replacement of that entire section of the exhaust.

The EGR system works to lower emissions by re-introducing some of the unburnt fuel in the exhaust back into the intake tract, thereby re-burning some of the inherit emissions that would need to be filtered by the SCR and DPF. Some form of EGR systems have been used on just about every modern engine to reduce the amount of emissions they produce and they have been proven to do just that, which is a great thing for the environment. However, they do come with a huge reliability drawback, especially on diesels, and that is the amount of gunk that clogs up not only the EGR system but also the intake manifold, valves and etc. Basically by allowing the EGR to do its job, you’ll also have to accept the fact that all that dirty exhaust is going to be recycled back into the intake of your engine, gumming up everything in its path. This is terrible for engine longevity.

Should you delete and tune your 2.8L Duramax?

Let’s weigh some pros and cons:

Delete Pros:

Tuning can increase the power to around 212hp and 412 ft. pounds of torque.
By removing the clog-prone EGR and DPF, you will increase the reliability and longevity of your truck.
On average, you will stand to gain an extra 5 MPG after the deletes.
No more limp mode because of a clogged DPF or the frequent DEF system failures. This translates into much lower maintenance costs.
Your engine will run cleaner by not having recycled carbon and fuel dumped back into the engine, which frees you up from low-ash type oil and allows you to run my favorite oil: Rotella T6.
This is purely my own preference, but if you run without a muffler you’ll have much more pronounced turbo and engine sound with the exhaust restrictions gone.

Delete Cons:

Legality is the biggest con of removing emissions equipment, at least in the US. You need to be aware that these modifications are only to be used in vehicles that aren’t to be driven on public roads, as the US regulations have made modifications to these systems to be for off-road use only. Other countries sometimes do not have the same requirements, check with your local authorities.

Another con to deleting your mini max is that the warranty can be voided by the dealership if they detect a tune (and they can, even with it returned to factory conditions.) Normally these systems are covered under the emissions warranty for 8 years/ 80K miles, which is actually quite generous, although I have noticed that a lot of times people are having clogged DPF filter and EGR issues right after the emissions warranty runs out.

Tell me how to remove it!

So after careful consideration of the remaining value of your warranty and acknowledgement of your local laws, you’ve decided to delete your truck. Well, that in itself can be a little tricky; because of the newness of the LWN trucks some aftermarket manufacturers are still in development for this platform. That said, there’s some really good options already.

Keep reading to see the breakdown of everything that you’ll find in a typical delete kit.

Best Option for a 2.8L Duramax Delete Tuner

HPTuners Performance Delete Tune

HPTuners Custom Tune 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 GM Colorado Canyon 2.8L Duramax

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Ebay.com

as of January 16, 2022 4:25 am

Each custom calibration is built off of a basic good running calibration, and is then tailored specifically for your needs and applications.

Best DPF/SCR/CAT Delete Exhaust

Wehrli Race Downpipe for 16-17 2.8L Duramax

If you’re going to be running a delete tune, you’ll need to exhaust to support it. This exhaust replaces all the factory exhaust emissions components with a much less restrictive straight pipe and optional muffler.

DPF filters and DEF injection systems are a big source of issues on these trucks, they are a part that IS going to need replacement at some point in the usable life of the truck. The funny thing is that they seem to be conveniently engineered to last until just after the warranty expires. Get ahead of the imminent failure and remove the factory exhaust to replace with this one.

Flo-Pro Turbo Back Exhaust for 16-17 2.8L Duramax

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as of January 16, 2022 4:25 am

This Flo-Pro exhaust replaces your full exhaust from the turbo to the back of the truck.

EGR Delete Kit for the 2.8L Duramax

OZ Tuner LWN EGR Delete Kit

Removing the EGR system is vital to longevity on the mini duramax engine, as many drivers have noted excessive carbon buildup in the intake even before the first oil change interval. This extra carbon is a pretty much a universal issue on emissions controlled diesel engines, and it always results in the soot gumming up your intake and valves and contributes to an overall shorter engine life.

As far as available options to remove the EGR on the Canyon and Colorados, OZ Tuning is pretty much the only choice for a well-built and complete kit. The actual installation process to remove the EGR on the 2.8L takes some mechanical ability to perform, but the end results are more than worth it.

This kit includes all the block off plates and rerouting hoses that you’ll need to do a full EGR delete.

OZ Tuning EGR Delete Kit for GM Duramax Colorado/Canyon 2.8L Diesel 2015-2016

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as of January 16, 2022 4:25 am

Conclusion

Hopefully this guide has been helpful with your search to improve the reliability and performance of your Colorado or Canyon. As always, if you have comments or questions, feel free to ask away in the comment section below!

Thanks for reading!

Add a tailgate assist to your truck

Updated November 15, 2018 by Jeff Hart

Have you ever had your hands full while trying to open your tailgate? If so, you’ll already realize that if you don’t hold it on the way down, you’ll be greeted with a big slam as your tailgate freefalls – until the cables catch it and jerk it to a hard stop.

This not nice and easy on the cables or the mounting hardware of the gate. Fortunately, there is a way to fix this issue and have a nice and smooth opening tailgate, without you having to hold onto it all the way down.

The answer to the dropping tailgate is a simple little hydraulic damper, or assist. These little shock absorbers (or struts) attach directly to the tailgate and bed, slowing the tailgate down for a nice and easy descent.

There are a few manufacturers that make these tailgate dampers, and below I’ll go over the best options and deals for each of the different model trucks listed. If you are installing one of these assists yourself, you’ll find that it’s pretty straightforward for the most part, installation difficulty for most of these kits is about a 3-4 out of 10.

Tailgate assist for the 2015-2017 Ford F-150

Ford OEM Tailgate Assist Kit FL3Z-99406A10-A

Without a doubt the best tailgate damper kit that you can get for the 2105, 2016 and 2017 Ford F-150 would be the one made by Ford. It’s designed to fit directly into factory mounting points, so no messing with aftermarket accessory fitment, which can be tricky in some cases.

Genuine Ford FL3Z-99406A10-A Tailgate Shock Assembly

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Amazon

as of January 19, 2022 2:58 pm

Features

Product Type:Auto Part
Item Package Weight:0.771 Kilograms
Item Package Dimension:10.668 cm L X15.24 cm W X19.304 cm H
Country Of Origin: United States

Tailgate assist for the 2005-2014 Ford F-150

DeeZee F-150 Tailgate Assist DZ43200

If you own a 2005-2014 F-150 then the best option for a tailgate damper is this retrofit model by DeeZee. The kit comes with everything you need to add it to your truck, including the strut and all required hardware. Only one damper is needed, there’s no need for a second kit.

Dee Zee DZ43200 Tailgate Assist

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Amazon

as of January 19, 2022 2:58 pm

Features

This tailgate assist fits 2004-2014 Ford F150 and 2004-2014 Lincoln Mark LT. Does not fit Flareside Models.
NEW and IMPROVED – We have improved the nutsert. You no longer have the little bottle of blue thread lock to mess with. The nutsert comes with thread lock on it and ready to be installed. You do not have to worry about applying the thread lock and getting it on your fingers, clothes, or your vehicle.
Easy to use. The Dee Zee tailgate assist makes the use of your tailgate an ease. By simply installing this on your truck will give you the ability to release the tailgate with one hand and not have to worry about that loud bang when it comes down. The smooth controlled drop allows your children to safely lower the tailgate.
By adding the heavy-duty tailgate assist to your truck will ease the strain on the cables and hinge point by not free falling. You also will no longer draw attention to yourself when everyone hears the bang as your tailgate slams down.
Installation is a breeze NO DRILLING required and the parts are all specific to the year, make, and model truck.

Tailgate assist for the Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty

DeeZee Tailgate Assist kit DZ43203

This kit is the one designed for the 1999-2106 Ford Super Duty trucks. Just like the other kits from Dee Zee, this one includes all required hardware and installation instructions in the box.

Dee Zee DZ43203 Tailgate Assist Shock

Check Price

Amazon

as of January 19, 2022 2:58 pm

Features

this tailgate assist fits 1997-2003 ford f150 and 1999-2016 ford super duty f250/f350. it will not fit the f150 supercrew or flareside models.
new and improved – we have improved the nutsert. you no longer have the little bottle of blue thread lock to mess with. the nutsert comes with thread lock on it and ready to be installed. you do not have to worry about applying the thread lock and getting it on your fingers, clothes, or your vehicle.
easy to use. the dee zee tailgate assist makes the use of your tailgate an ease. by simply installing this on your truck will give you the ability to release the tailgate with one hand and not have to worry about that loud bang when it comes down. the smooth controlled drop allows your children to safely lower the tailgate.
by adding the heavy-duty tailgate assist to your truck will ease the strain on the cables and hinge point by not free falling. you also will no longer draw attention to yourself when everyone hears the bang as your tailgate slams down.
installation is a breeze no drilling required and the parts are all specific to the year, make, and model truck.

Tailgate assist for the Dodge Ram 1500-3500

DeeZee Tailgate Assist kit DZ43301

If you own a Ram 1500 from 2009-2017 or a Ram 2500 and 3500 from 2010-2017, then this is the tailgate assist made specifically for your truck. As always, DeeZee has provided a Dodge Ram specific all-in-one kit that includes everything you will need for am easy, complete install.

Dee Zee DZ43301 Tailgate Assist Shock

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Amazon

as of January 19, 2022 2:58 pm

Features

DZ43301 Tailgate Assist Fits 09-18 RAM 1500, 19-21 RAM 1500 (19-21 Classic Only), 2010-Current RAM 2500/3500
NEW and IMPROVED – We have improved the nutsert and it’s ready to go out of the box! The nutsert comes with thread lock on it and ready to be installed. Avoid the mess and install in less steps.
The Dee Zee Tailgate Assist makes the use of your tailgate an ease. The simple device allows you release the tailgate with one hand for a controlled drop rate and not have to worry about that loud bang.
By adding the heavy-duty Tailgate Assist to your truck will ease the strain on the cables and hinge point by not free falling.
Installation is a breeze NO DRILLING required and the parts are all specific to the year, make, and model truck. Utilize the vehicle application checker.

Tailgate assist for the Chevy/GMC 1500, 2500 and 3500HD

DeeZee Tailgate Assist kit DZ43102

In the more recent model years, the Chevy trucks have finally started to include a tailgate dampening system in the higher trim trucks like the SLE/SLT and LT/LTZ packages. However if you have an older truck or a base model, you were out of luck as far as having this installed from the factory.

Thankfully, once again DeeZee steps up to the plate to offer their all-in-one kit for GM trucks. This is certified to fit the 2009-2017 1500/2500/3500 and is more of a universal kit that can be adapted to a lot of the Chevy/GMC platform tailgates.

Dee Zee DZ43102 Black Tailgate Assist

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Amazon

as of January 19, 2022 2:58 pm

Features

Safely Controls The Drop Rate Of Truck Tailgates
Custom Designed For Each Make and Model
High Quality and Extensively Tested For Heavy Use
Works In Conjunction With Factory Cables
Only One Tailgate Assist Required Per Vehicle

What do the truck owners have to say?

DeeZee has made quite the good name for themselves in the truck accessories market, and you can see that in their reviews, which reflect a lot of praise for their products.

Like anything aftermarket, there will always be a couple of hiccups in how the product fits initially or wears over time. This is standard for all aftermarket accessory manufacturers and doesn’t necessarily mean that the products are junk if they have a couple of issues across a wide range of models.

What really matters is how the company handles feedback from their customers about issues that need resolving in the next iteration of the product, and also how they handle the current customers that have the issues in the first place.

Below, you’ll see how they’ve dealt with the only real problem with the DeeZee assist kits and how they have resolved the issue going forward.

Tailgate assist common problems

The early versions of the Dee-Zee assist in particular did have a frustrating issue that has since been fixed. The issue is with the nutsert that they provided to install the strut with. The nutsert allows you to add threads to a bare hole in your tailgate that wasn’t originally designed to have threads in it.

The problem is that the early version nutsert had a tendency to loosen up in the hole with the repeated rotation that the end of the strut subjects it to. Either the nutsert was just a little off in size, or didn’t have enough friction to hold itself in the tailgate.

Good news is that Dee-Zee has realized the issue, and eliminated the nutsert problem for all the new versions of their kits, and has even been assisting previous customers in fixing the original version.

Conclusion

Hopefully this overview and guide for the options available to add a tailgate assist have helped you in the search for the right kit for your truck. As always, feel free to reach out to us in the comments below if you have any questions or something to add to the conversation. Thanks for reading!

How To Fix The Missing Fuel Cap on Rams

Updated June 25, 2021 by Jeff Hart

Starting in 2013 and continuing still to this day, the Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 turbo diesel trucks all have a pretty significant design flaw.

Yep, that’s a fuel filler that comes from the factory with no cap. A cap-less fuel filler design, really?

What were you thinking Dodge!?

How exactly is the mediocre seal on the fuel door supposed to protect against water and dirt getting into the fuel filler neck?

Of course, Dodge will not admit to this being anything other than the design as intended, but they did release a part number for the people that inquired about missing “gas” caps; the Mopar part# 52029561AA, which is a quite thin and cheaply made green plastic wedge style cap. These do not seem to be durable at all, and still are questionable in their ability to keep out contaminants.

Fortunately, there are a couple options aside from what Dodge has (or hasn’t) provided:

Aluminum Fuel Cap

Thankfully the aftermarket has seen this issue and noticed that people in fact actually want to seal their fuel filler necks from getting crap down into the tank.

The main problem that you’ll have when trying to add a normal fuel cap to one of these dodge trucks – there just isn’t enough room for a regular old gas cap to sit in there and still have the fuel door close.

This is why these billet aluminum caps have such a low profile, so that they can actually fit perfectly in the filler, seal it with an o-ring and still have space for the door to close.

2013-2017 Dodge Ram Diesel Fuel Cap Billet Aluminum Magnetic NEW EASIER GRIP DESIGN

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Amazon

as of January 19, 2022 3:33 pm

Features

✔ PROTECTION - This fits RAM diesel, fuel cap stops dirt, water and other debris out of your fuel tank saving you costly engine repairs. (May not fit 2019 models)
✔ CONVENIENCE - New raised grip design makes it easier to remove and put back on compared to other cap designs
✔ PERFECT FIT - Includes 2 Sizes of O-Rings so you can pick the size that fits best for your truck, better than the red plastic cap
✔ MAGNETIC - Strong permenant neodymium magnet holds the cap to the truck while you fill up
✔ LIFETIME WARRANTY - If you ever have a problem we will replace the cap with no hassle, order with confidence like many others

Fuel And DEF Cap Combo

If you prefer a more uniform look, there is a combo set available that combines the DEF and fuel cap replacements together in one kit.

Ram Diesel Fuel Cap and Aluminum DEF Cap Combo for 2013-2018 Dodge Ram Truck 1500 2500 3500

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Amazon

as of January 19, 2022 3:33 pm

Features

►Easy to grip：With gloves in winter. Hidden-Strong magnetism：Can't see the magnet, let alone be afraid of falling into the fuel tank.
►Compatibility Vehicles - Both fuel caps fit 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 diesel trucks with a cap less fuel system, Cummins and Eco-diesel vehicles with 3.0L V6 engines
►Airtight & Precision Fit - Our diesel fuel caps are well sealed and can keep out dust, water, rain, snow and others to protect your fuel system,saving you costly engine repairs.
►Safe & Durable - Both dodge ram fuel caps are crafted with anodized billet aluminum which won't be impacted even after long-term exposure.
►Guarantee - We provide 12 months worry-free warranty and lifetime friendly service. If you have any problems please feel free to contact with us.Our service until you are satisfied.

OEM Style Plastic Cap

Aside from the thin green plastic cap, Dodge actually has another style of cap that is more robust and seems like it would do the job of protecting the open fuel filler system.

The part number for this cap: Mopar/Chrysler 82214609.

It does also come with a tether to keep the cap attached and from being lost, a nice feature for those of us that sometimes misplace our fuel caps when refilling our trucks in the morning before coffee.

Dodge Ram Fuel Filler Diesel Cap With Tether Non Locking NEW OEM MOPAR

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Amazon

as of January 19, 2022 3:33 pm

Features

Non-Locking fuel cap for 2014-2016 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500
Non-Locking gas cap for capless fuel filler housing
Plastic capless cover and tether to prevent dust and debri from entering the fuel system.
Diesel only

Conclusion

Hopefully this guide has helped you to find the best options for replacing your truck’s missing fuel cap. If you have any more questions or input about this issue, feel free to drop us a line below in the comments. Thanks for reading!

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