The strut kit for the 1988-98 trucks is a gas strut that lets an OBS tailgate down slowly. It mounts with two ball studs, one in the bed side and one at the tailgate hinge, so nothing is welded. Before you start, check whether your truck has metal straps or cables, because that changes step one. Then plan on about half an hour with basic hand tools.
Tools you will need
- Drill with a 5/16″ bit
- 13mm socket for the tailgate hinge bolt, plus sockets for the taillight
- Blue thread locker
- Tape measure and a marker
If your truck has metal tailgate straps, you’ll need to remove the driver side strap and rely on the passenger strap to support the weight of the tailgate — use your discretion on the weight capability of one strap, since the gate saver itself does not support any weight. If your truck has cables instead, keep both straps; the gate saver has room for the flexible cable.
1988-98 tailgate saver install steps
The 1988-98 tailgate saver mounts on two ball studs, so nothing gets welded to the truck.
- First, remove the driver side taillight. Then drill a 5/16″ hole 2.5″ down and 5/8″ away from the inside box panel.
- Install the ball stud. Install the longer ball stud through the hole with a flat washer between the base of the ball stud and box panel, and a shallow jam nut inside the taillight opening. Apply blue thread locker (Loctite).
- Reinstall the taillight.
- Install the short ball stud. Remove the 13mm tailgate hinge bolt from the tailgate and install the short ball stud with blue thread locker.
- Install the gate saver with the shaft pointed down.
- Finally, check clearances. Before using your gate saver, cycle the tailgate slowly and check clearances on all moving parts.
The gate saver controls the drop of the tailgate, but it does not carry its weight. If your tailgate is on metal straps, cables are usually the next upgrade, and our OBS tailgate cables guide shows the swap. Gas struts also lose pressure slowly over the years, so a strut that feels softer after a long time is normal wear. Both, plus the billet hood hinges and hidden taillight fuel filler for these trucks, are in our 88-98 OBS truck parts collection.
For any questions or concerns with your install, don’t hesitate to email us at info@lsfab.com
Good product and Easy install. As that previous comment noted install the bottom end o the cylinder first and then raise the tailgate a little to get the top end of the cylinder on the ball stud. The product works like a charm and well worth the money.
Just installed the Tailgate Saver on my 96 Silverado. It was a gift from my wife and I’m very lucky to have her. This thing is quite nice. Easy to install after watching a YouTube video. Instructions are good enough but, I’m more visual.
Works as advertised.
Great product.
Thank you
Great kit! Tailgate comes down super smooth and pretty easy install. I highly recommend it to anyone with a 88-98 OBS.
Ordered mine, installed it today and im very pleased. Its a pity we can’t add pictures. It will help others and your sales
Hi, I have a 1998 gmc sierra stepside, will this work on a stepside?
You bet!
Just finished installing on my 1997 K1500. It takes about 5 minutes from start to finish. So far it seems to fit and work great. I’ll come back in 90 days to give an update.
After the drillings the hole and installing the ball studs, I’d advise customers to first install the shaft (bottom) to the ball stud in the tailgate and then install the top part. The angles are a little tricky the other way around. You will have to lift the gate a little bit to finish the install. The tailgate saver provides a full range of motion and you have no trouble lifting the tailgate as there is no resistance when closing. The drop is nice, slow, and smooth. Definitely worth the money and the install time.
Good quality product works perfect not hard at all to install