I installed it cuz i take a boy scouts/cub scouts camping, and the tailgate was too heavy for them without the bar. that torsion bar does wonders. you will be amazed at how much weight it takes off the bed.

it is a PITA to install. gotta drill holes, and remove the gate (need 2 people for sure). the tailgate really wasn't meant to be removed, so it's a pain to get to the bolts holding it in too, but can't argue with the results. and it's hidden, unlike the ezdown, so no worries about hitting it or anything.

 

What do you mean the tailgate wasn't meant to be removed? When i put my roll pan on i had to take mine off. I just lifted it out, didn't even take 10 seconds.

 

I installed the easy lift (the torsion bar design) on my truck over a year ago. It does make a 2 finger up and down, no doubt about it. It does make the tailgate much harder to remove and install, it's a 2 person job now, but I rarely ever take it off any way. My wife is disabled and has no problem getting the tailgate opened or closed any more.

 

I would do both on mine as well, I have 2 kids (10yrs and 5yrs old) who like to get into the back all the time and for the youngest I have to help out if she is trying to get in/out alone. I have been looking at them for a while now and plan on picking them up soon.

 

how were those bolts to get to? I imagine if you were putting a rollpan in you took the bumper off before getting the gate? those bolts are a pain

 

here's the same one it looks like but cheaper

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/de/full.aspx?Page=80

 

I got mine for $20 on amazon. hopkins easylift

 

I am leaning toward the torsion bar design.
As mentioned earlier, this way there is nothing in the way to be hit or get caught with something. I think both look like good products.