[Llay R. Rac]

another alternative if you don't want to do gas shocks is camper shell end gate support slides.
before 2001 when i got my first computer I thought endgate slides were made of unobtainium I used a 2x4 or a pole to hold my endgate open.

One day I was in the wallyworld RV section and found a set of slides in a discount bin for $1.99, the end brackets had to be replaced with those from my original slides and the slide was about one inch shorter then the originals, but they worked well for 2 years until i went over a speed bump too fast with the end gate up and one slide "folded". I went back to walmart and they had a set on the regular shelf for $19.99. i bought those and they have been used on my truck for almost 20 years now.

to eliminate the end gate from crashing down and folding again i drilled a hole in the slide and secure it with a nut and bolt when i want to leave the end gate up while driving.