i almost never open my tailgate, and i do have an idea for a cover too, get one of those things they use to help lift suv tailgates and put that on the cover to lift it open then use another door popper to pop open the cover....

 

You mean like an actuator?

 

you could but i really preffer a mechanical setup using a strut like these

http://stores.ebay.com/The-Parts-Store

 

Okay, that'll work.

I prefer an electrical set-up myself, like some type of linear actuator, but what you sourced will also do the trick.

Follow up if it eventuates.

 

someone would have to donate a cover to me

 

The first generation of the current body style 150's use to have a rod mounted on the right bottom of the tailgate. This was to prevent the gate from dropping onto the bumper, should the lanyards be removed. Ford stopped adding the rod but the slot is still there and this was not part of the tailgate assist. The tailgate assist is torsion bars inside the tailgate.

 

Uhhh, money. They take just a few seconds to remove and are worth a good chunk of change.

 

I just checked my repair system for a tailgate on a 2005. I don't see any hardware to assist with the lifting of the gate. If there is some, it's automatically included with the tailgate. I see some internal parts but this is mainly the locking bar that goes from the lock in the middle of the gate to the edge of the bed.

OEM parts should be the same... part# 8L3Z9940700A

I don't think there is any hardware, though. I get the impression that the gate is simply much lighter then it was on older model trucks.

 

If there's a spring or some other assist on the '05, mine certainly doesn't have it. My tailgate drops like a brick and weighs a ton.

 

All 2004 and up F-150's have a torsion bar in the tailgate. You cannot see it. It is inside the tailgate. It does not make it open slower. It make it easier to close.

Look at the link already posted.
http://www.techform.com/tailgate_sub.htm

 

The driver's side bushing in the pivot/hinge is tied to the torsion rod inside.
It's built into the tailgate shell when you buy one. We've seen alot of T/G thefts down here. My parts lists for a complete replacement runs about $800-$900 for our body shop.

I always lock mine, it's just to easy to remove.

 

I may be WAY off here, but it sounds like you are refering to this:



If so, this is a part that I got when adding the bed extender. If your truck came stock with a bed extender, this was probably pre-installed, and painted your body color, otherwise, it is part of the instal kit for the bed extender. I would imagine the body shop could get this part. I believe that this serves two purposes, it is a convienent place for a bungie cord, and it would prevent the tailgate from coming off while driving with it open. If this isn't what you are talking about, then please disregard this post. BTW, the torsion bar is built into the facory tailgate and ALL F-150 (04+) have this.

 

Its called lift assist. Every new body F150 has it. If you have a tailgate, you got one. ITS STANDARD.

Tailgates get stolen because they are expensive to replace. Some dumba$$ backs into something with his tailgate down or whatever. Now he has a big dent and wants it fixed. He could shell out the coin and buy a new one or get a five finger discount by boosting one of the same color from some unsuspecting owner, switch out the lock and bam, he has a new tailgate.

 

thanks for all the help!!! i think that it is indeed part of the extender package and the torsion bar is already in the gate now how to get the part for the extender so my gate doesn't fall off . this would be so much easier iof they had just left the gate alone BTW it was locked i found part of the black plastic from the latch on the ground. so they broke it and stole it..dumb a$$es