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What exactly is tailgate assist?

FloridaMan655321

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I'm a little confused on this. I have a 24 Flash and my window sticker is pretty close to OP's. I can't see all of the optional equipment, but mine doesn't show anything tailgate related under the optional equipment. My tailgate has a button that will put it down or put it back up with a motor. I can override this and lift it myself.

I assumed this was standard for this truck. Did they remove it for the 25 Flash models? Did they go back to just an old school way of opening/closing the tailgate?
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I think Ford is continuing to rapidly de-content these trucks, because mine doesn't have any type of torsion rod, let alone tailgate fold out step. Just a plain old 1985 style tailgate on my $72k truck.

Ford F-150 Lightning What exactly is tailgate assist? 20250818_183851[1]

Ford F-150 Lightning What exactly is tailgate assist? 20250818_183932[1]
 

El Duderino

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Powered gate is optional. They have a 25 Flash at my dealer with it that I didn't get because it was the wrong color but same trim as mine without the powered gate.
Job 2 removed this as standard and made it an option. My job 1 2025 Flash has it included as base.
 
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doolz

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Sorry for reviving an old thread...

Just purchased a 25 Lightning Flash (window sticker attached) and noticed the Tailgate with Lift Assist.

I'm new to the pickup world and questioned my dealer on this and they were just as confused as the next person.

Couldn't really find a solid answer on any of the other forums/threads here.

What is a torsion bar? Etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ford F-150 Lightning What exactly is tailgate assist? Sticker
 

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hturnerfamily

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the torsion bar you refer to is built into the tailgate system, and not visible ... Ford has termed it as their 'Tailgate Assist' feature, which many, though, incorrectly assume as a 'down' assist, when it is really an 'up' assist. The tailgate needs NO assist when LOWERING!

How it works: a Torsion bar helps take the weight of the tailgate when the owner is lifting it to close it, otherwise the tailgate is heavy and cumbersome on it's own.
The bar is designed to 'torsion', or rotate on itself, as the gate moves from the closed to the open position.
This means that it is in it's 'sprung', or LOADED, position when the gate is down.
When the owner then tries to LIFT the tailgate to close it, the torsion bar's sprung weight is now UNWINDING, and helping the weight of the tailgate move more easily.


the other option, for help when LOWERING the tailgate, though, is a suspension DAMPENER, or shock, to keep the tailgate from falling down, suddenly. This is NOT included on most lower trim levels, but it is easily added.
 

El Duderino

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Sorry for reviving an old thread...

Just purchased a 25 Lightning Flash (window sticker attached) and noticed the Tailgate with Lift Assist.

Sticker.webp
Just an FYI, you have a Job 2 2025 Flash. It has different options than a Job 1 2025 Flash. Basically halfway through a model year, Ford implements design changes and options. So when reading about 2025 Flash models, keep in mind the Job 1 vs Job 2 changes. No spare tire on your truck versus a Job 1 truck is one example.
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