Tailgate assist for SMALL TRUCKS, can't find them anywhere

S10LOVER

MEMBER
2000 CHEVROLET S-10
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
78,000 MILES

I'm desperate so I hope you can help.

I have a 2000 S10 Xtreme, Neon Green with Metallic Paint and shaved doors, shaved fuel cap and shaved tailgate. My Goal is to get her ready for car shows. She is only half way there, she is also my every day vehicle.

I bought solenoid poppers for my tailgate so I can install a tonneau cover. My fuel cap is located in the bed of my truck. Once I pop the tailgate I need a tailgate assist so it doesn't slam down when I open it every week to get gas.

I have looked everywhere on the net that I can think of and even called some custom shops looking for a tailgate assist made for the smaller trucks.

I did buy the smallest DEE Zee assist that they made that is 8 inches long hoping my garage that I hired could some how get it to work. They said it needs to be 6 inches long so It would not work. I only paid $29.99 for it and the owner of the garage has a friend that will buy it so at least I'm not out that money.

Do you know any way to custom an assist so it won't slam down for our small truck lovers?

Thank You for any help that you can give me, Susan.

2 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Have no idea we are mostly fixer people but we do install things. I don't know if you could look in one of the truck magazines that make the part and try contacting them and see if they will either make you one that is the 6" you require or you may find one in the magazine you may be able to take the current one and sink it in the floor if it mounts there but a body guy would need to do that.