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.

 

[WXman]

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.

 

[El Duderino]

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.

 

[Rtashiro]

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/tailgate-assist-on-pro-help.14026/post-292795

Link to another poster with same issue. Says that they filed a “missed build” claim and was approved.

 

[doolz]

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.

 

[hturnerfamily]

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.

 

[RLXXI]

Found out the assist torsion bar is only used on gates with the built in step. Which is why mine didn't have it.

 

[El Duderino]

Sorry for reviving an old thread...

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

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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