What exactly is tailgate assist?

[hturnerfamily]

The 'torsion bar' works only to ASSIST in LIFTING the tail gate, as it's 'torsion' springs in that direction... the tail gate is heavy enough, though, that it FALLS by itself, otherwise...

The 'dampener' shock works only to help soften/slow the FALL of the tail gate, when opening...

these are both two different things, and two different options, though some of the higher trims may already include one, or both... for some of us, we may only have the LIFT ASSIST, like my PRO SR, and I added an aftermarket opening SHOCK...

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[bmwhitetx]

The 'torsion bar' works only to ASSIST in LIFTING the tail gate, as it's 'torsion' springs in that direction... the tail gate is heavy enough, though, that it FALLS by itself, otherwise...

The 'dampener' shock works only to help soften/slow the FALL of the tail gate, when opening...

these are both two different things, and two different options, though some of the higher trims may already include one, or both... for some of us, we may only have the LIFT ASSIST, like my PRO SR, and I added an aftermarket opening SHOCK...

This ^.
The 2025 Order Guide indicates all trucks have as standard equipment:

Starting with the Lariat trim, trucks have a power tailgate. Ford does sell a tailgate damper that does soft open but as others have mentioned there are cheaper alternatives. I bought one for my 2010 for about $25.

 

[WXman]

Still makes no sense. A torsion bar is going to provide the same resistance at every point of its travel through that 90° arc of motion. If it’s assisting you to lift the tailgate through the range of motion, then it’s also assisting you to lower it through the same range of motion. It would feel the same to the operator in both directions.

Regardless, no sense in continuing to beat this dead horse. I’ll check with my dealership on this, and will likely end up buying a dampening strut to add myself since it’s inexpensive and easy to install.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

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?

 

[Firn]

I would have to find my window sticker but it makes sense it is the torsion bar.

My pro has a full manual tailgate that bangs down if you drop it. But the tailgate IS nicely weighted, not light, but still much lighter than most every tailgate I have ever used, easily closed with one hand (even the "off" hand). The aluminum helps, but with all the cameras and power components, I have a hard time believing its actually that light.

 

[RLXXI]

One of the things they explained as far as the torsion rod is concerned is for gates with the step built in. They're all over the place with these window stickers.

 

[RLXXI]

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?

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.

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