Piston assembly includes a piston housing defining an interior and having a first housing end and a second housing end, a piston rod having a first rod end extending into the interior and moveable therein between an extended position toward the first housing end and a retracted position toward the second housing end, a first plate joined to the piston rod proximate the first rod end, a second plate joined to the piston rod and spaced apart a distance along the piston rod from the first plate, and a piston head slidably joined to the piston rod between the first plate and the second plate. A lift assembly including a piston assembly and configured to provide a damping force to a pivotable body during pivoting of the pivotable body relative a stationary body between a closed position and an open position is provided.