Posted: Nov 15 2004 at 4:07pm | IP Logged

Well, I stopped by my dealership today to look at an 05 Titan and to ask the parts dept whether or not the new tailgate assist could be retrofitted on an 04. If it hadn't been so aggravating the ordeal might have been funny. I first ran into my salesman who informed me that they didn't have any 05's yet. I informed him that they infact did. He proceeded to argue with me until I told him I had just looked at them around back...He quickly tried to save face by saying that they were fleet trucks ...lol..Anyways I asked him about the tailgate and he didn't even know the 05s had the assist feature, and directed me to the service dept. (which was where I was headed in the first place)

The guy in the service dept told me he thought the lift assembly was inside the tailgate itself, so I had to educate him as well...I had just looked at the tailgate and I didn't see any way that was possible...He then admitted he didnt know, directed me to the parts dept and told me to check with them to see if they even had a parts book for the 05 yet. 

The parts guy told me there were no changes to the 05s....school was in session again...He huffed and puffed and told me to hold on while he checked to see if they had an 05 book. About 5 minutes later he came back w/o a book and told me he might have to call Nissan to find out cuz he had no idea how the thing worked or if it could be fitted on an 04. Then he proceeded to try and discourage me by saying that it was nothing that they would do for me and it would cost over $1500...lol  He did however say that he would look into it because he was sure more people would be asking about it, "because they always do." I thanked him and told him I would check back with him in a week.

The only difference that I noticed about the new tailgate is the hinge. It appears to me that on the right side only, the hinge extends on into the side of the truck just below the tail light assy. (it doesnt do this on the 04) Just from eyeballing it, it looks like to me this is the only place the assist could be located (im assuming it is some type of spring) If this is the case, I dont see any reason why this apparatus couldnt be installed in an 04...unless the new tailgate is lighter than the 04. If anyone has any insight on this subject I would greatly appreciate it...esp any 05 owners.

Posted: Nov 15 2004 at 11:45pm | IP Logged

Click Here

I asked the same question and got some replies and photographs of the 05 system.  Looks like a gas shock behind the tail light, but construction of the 04 may not accomodate the requirements to fit the shock. 

Posted: Nov 18 2004 at 8:22am | IP Logged

The funny thing is there are 2 "Rr strut inner reinforcements" listed. RH & LH.