Lift Gates

[conway]

Any recommendations for a lift gate for a 3500HD dually? It would need to lift at least 1000 pounds.

Mahalo,

[mdrag]

conway,

I just installed a lift gate about 1 week ago on my '01 3500. I looked at the lift gates from the following: ANTHONY LIFT GATE LOAD BLAZER (http://www.anthonyliftgates.com/product.asp?product=16),TOMMY GATE G2 (http://www.tommygate.com), MAXON (http://www.maxonlift.com/htm/products/special.htm), ULTRON (http://WWW.ULTRONLIFT.COM), WALTCO (http://www.waltco.com), and EAGLE (sorry I don't have the link).

One vendor had both the Anthony Gate and Tommy Gate in stock for side by side comparisons. These were at the top of my list, and I decided on the Anthony Gate Load Blazer. Both were 1500 lb hydraulic lifts and priced within $50 or so of each other. I liked the AG - I felt that it was 'heavier duty' in construction with a stabilizer bar going from side to side to prevent twisting/binding, had a better finish, and looks half decent. The disadvantage of the AG is that you cannot undo the gate straps and allow the gate to flip down perpendicular to the bed to aid in forklift loading etc. The TG allows you to do this. Also, the AG lacks a provision to lock the gate with a pad lock, although you can easily add a lockable latch. The AG shuts more like a conventional tail gate.

http://www.anthonyliftgates.com/images/products/anthony2.bmp

I decided to install it myself and rented a forklift overnight. On the 2001 and newer 2500HD/3500 GM trucks, once you remove the bumper, the lower rear fender curves in about 1" - 1.5" so the rectangular opening truncates just below the bumper, and the tailgate hinge becomes the limiting width for the install. You have to drop it in from above. I used the available bolt holes on the lift gate and installed 5/8" eye bolts with heavy duty tie downs to the front of the bed. As I lowered the lift, a helper tightened the ratcheting tie downs to prevent the gate from popping out rearward. I loosened every fastener that I could find around the tail lights and rear fender braces. I also used a cut off tool to remove the rolled edge on the rear most fender bracket so that it would flex easier. All prep was completed before I got the forklift, including adding the bracket for relocating the tail light screws so you can access the tail light to change bulbs. Here is a link for the LOAD BLAZER INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS (http://www.anthonyliftgates.com/pdf/manuals/LoadBlazerManual.doc).

It was a very tight fit, and I called AG twice to confirm that this would work. After the install, I noticed the hydraulic oil was low and the PS cylinder had a tiny leak at a weld. One call to AG and the replacement hydraulic cylinder arrived today. It's certainly disappointing when a brand new product has a problem, but the customer service was first rate and hassle free.

I was searching for the Mobil DTE 13 hydraulic oil recommended by AG to refill the system after replacing the cylinder and couldn't find it anywhere. Dexron II could also be used, but I wanted to maintain the factory fill. I emailed our resident oil expert, George Morrison for advice. It turns out that George advised AG to use the higher quality Mobil DTE 13 rather than the "lowest price this week" oil :eek: As per George's advice, I'll use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF to refill the system after the repair. Thanks again George http://forum.thedieselpage.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif http://forum.thedieselpage.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif

I haven't had time to take pictures yet... BTW, it would be worth the $275 the dealer wanted to install the gate, but I KNOW it was done correctly ;) Good luck.

[conway]

MDrag:

The information was what I was look for. Mahalo, conway

[mdrag]

I finally got around to taking a few pics of the ANTHONY LIFT GATE LOADBLAZER (http://community.webshots.com/album/66688207tRMYwJ) installed on my truck. The Latest Mods Link in my sig also links to the pics. No more concerns over the OEM tailgate cables breaking tongue.gif

http://thumb8.webshots.com/s/thumb4/6/89/18/104668918mHIqJu_th.jpg

[jbplock]

VERY NICE!!!