I was looking at the window sticker from my new Lariat last night when I was attempting to program the garage door opener in the visor. I noticed a bullet point as follows:

-Locking Removable Tailgate w/Lift Assist.

Does this mean my truck was supposed to come with the tailgate 'step'? If so, it did not. Thoughts?

 

No. There is a mechanism in the tailgate that takes up some of the weight to lift the gate... like a garage door has springs to assist.

 

It's a big coiled spring inside the tailgate hinge that helps open and close the tailgate. It makes the tailgate feel much lighter than it actually is. I think this became standard in 2004.

 

The window sticker would have this under options:

Tailgate Step $350

 

The lift asist is actually a torsion bar. It's the same design that most trunk lids use on cars, and began use in the Ford's with the bodystyle change in 2004.

 

Thanks all. Just checking.

 

Yep, bought my truck and it was the first time me or any of my buddies had seen one with an "assist." We were amazed for hours.