What exactly is tailgate assist?

[WXman]

Is "tailgate assist" supposed to be the strut that allows slow, smooth lowering of the tailgate on its own or am I misunderstanding this feature? Reason I ask is because the tailgate on my new truck free falls if I open it with the latch and then take my hands off.

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[RLXXI]

Had the same thing on my sticker with NO assist installed. They explained it to me when I questioned as a typo, should not have been printed. There is a hydraulic assist ram and bracket you can get thru Ford accessories that installs behind the right taillight pretty cheap that keeps the gate from slamming down when you manually open it, which is what I installed on mine. Used some of the points they gave me with truck purchase.

You could also install aftermarket assist on the side of the gate.

Then there's the powered tailgate and you'd have a 5th button on the fob to control it open/close.

 

[WXman]

Bummer! I bought a 2003 Ranger new and it listed step rails on the sticker but the truck didn't have them. Salesman said "if it's on the window sticker, they owe it to you." Dealership ordered the step rails and installed them for me. I might have a conversation with my dealer about this when I go up there for my first service visit.

 

[RLXXI]

Here's the assist kit I bought. https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/a...iscous-dampening-cartridge-p-ml3z5d008c?pdp=y

Took about 10 mins to install.

 

[RickLightning]

Last I checked, it it is printed on the window sticker they owe you the feature.

 

[hturnerfamily]

'Tailgate ASSIST' is NOT for lowering the tailgate, it's for ASSIST in CLOSING the tailgate, because of the weight...

it is a TORQUE BAR, installed, and twisted, to provide torque assist when lifting/closing the tailgate...

now, if you want some assist when LOWERING the tailgate, you can add the optional/or aftermarket small SHOCK that is easy to install. Works great. Provides nice easy slow lowering when you let go - no more 'slamming' open.

 

[Pod]

Some phantom accessory Ford fails to include on at least my 2023 Lightning. Still sore about that. Printed out to the dealer and they were like “we are not sure”

 

[WXman]

'Tailgate ASSIST' is NOT for lowering the tailgate, it's for ASSIST in CLOSING the tailgate, because of the weight...

it is a TORQUE BAR, installed, and twisted, to provide torque assist when lifting/closing the tailgate...

now, if you want some assist when LOWERING the tailgate, you can add the optional/or aftermarket small SHOCK that is easy to install. Works great. Provides nice easy slow lowering when you let go - no more 'slamming' open.

That makes no sense. The torsion system in tailgates has been around forever. If it is in "twisted" condition with the tailgate lowered, so that it can assist you in raising the gate, then by default it should be "untwisted" in closed position meaning it would have torsion applied to it as the tailgate is lowered again, thereby making it a softer opening.

In other words, If it's a mechanical torsion rod then the two actions cannot be mutually exclusive. Helping to close the tailgate should also help to open it.

I'm still going to prod my dealer about this.

 

[bmwhitetx]

The workshop manual states:

The tailgate assembly consists of the following:

• Tailgate
• Tailgate hinges (roller assembly)
• Tailgate support cables
• Torsion rod (if equipped)
• Tailgate damper (if equipped)
• Tailgate step (if equipped)
• Tailgate step handle (if equipped)
• Rear view camera (if equipped)
• Power locking tailgate latch release (if equipped)

Searching does seem to indicate that the torsion bar is mainly for lift-assist as it makes the tailgate lighter. And the Damper is used for a soft-open effect. Also see this thread where some folks got dealer to agree to a mis-built.

Think of a garage door torsion spring. Makes the door easier to lift but doesn't necessarily prevent it from slamming shut. Depends on the balance point. I do agree Ford does a poor job describing this feature.

 

[RLXXI]

Last I checked, it it is printed on the window sticker they owe you the feature.

That's what I thought as well but not so according to my dealer. Are they lying to me? Who knows.

It's such a piddling amount of cost and time, it would cost me more to miss work and wait for them to do what I can in 10 mins.

I didn't wait for warranty repairs on my other truck either when it had battery issues, hit wally world get what I need and move on.

 

[chl]

I got a fairly inexpensive ($25 in 2024) one that works nicely on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NJ7RJVF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[jimfigler]

'Tailgate ASSIST' is NOT for lowering the tailgate, it's for ASSIST in CLOSING the tailgate, because of the weight...

it is a TORQUE BAR, installed, and twisted, to provide torque assist when lifting/closing the tailgate...

now, if you want some assist when LOWERING the tailgate, you can add the optional/or aftermarket small SHOCK that is easy to install. Works great. Provides nice easy slow lowering when you let go - no more 'slamming' open.

Exactly correct! So many people think "tailgate assist" is the dampener when lowering which it is not.

 

[chl]

Exactly correct! So many people think "tailgate assist" is the dampener when lowering which it is not.

The one I got (After market) does both - go figure. Makes it come down slowly and helps raise it too, just what I needed.

Winunite Compatible with 2015-2025 F150 Gray Tailgate Assist Shock Truck Lift Assist Fits for Truck Tailgate Accessories Soft Open Easy Down (All Tools Provided)

 

[jimfigler]

The one I got does both - go figure.

You are saying your truck came with a gas strut dampener from the factory? Because factory tailgate assist is just an internal torsion bar.

 

[chl]

You are saying your truck came with a gas strut dampener from the factory? Because factory tailgate assist is just an internal torsion bar.

No, nothing from Ford, I added this and it helps lower and raise the tailgate which I found helpful.

Sorry I should have been clearer - this was an aftermarket add on, not a Ford option or add-on.

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