We produce custom springs and wireforms. We do not stock standard parts.
We produce custom springs and wireforms. We do not stock standard parts.
For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who are building box trucks, parcel delivery vehicles, and commercial fleet trailers, liftgate performance has a direct impact on safety, reliability, and operator efficiency. Each liftgate system must handle frequent cycling, variable loads, and exposure to outdoor elements, all while maintaining smooth, consistent motion.
At Ace Wire Spring & Form Co., we specialize in custom-engineered liftgate assist springs that help OEMs achieve dependable lift and descent performance through precision design, consistent calibration, and rigorous testing.
Because liftgates play a critical part in logistics and delivery operations, their mechanical design must balance several factors that can challenge even experienced equipment engineers:
Weight Balance and Counterforce
Every liftgate operates under the influence of gravity and the load it is carrying. Without an assist mechanism, these forces make the gate difficult to raise and control. Liftgate assist springs counteract that weight, providing the necessary torque or tension to balance the system.
Achieving this balance is critical, not only to make the operation manageable but also to prevent uneven wear and reduce stress on hinges, linkages, and mounting brackets.
Operator Safety and Ergonomics
Repetitive motion and heavy lifting can cause ergonomic risks for operators. A properly calibrated liftgate assist spring minimizes strain, supporting smooth motion.
When designed correctly, it helps to prevent sudden drops or uncontrolled lifts, making it safer and easier to use.
Durability and Cycle Life
Delivery fleets heavily utilize lift gates throughout the workday. Springs that are not designed for high-cycle performance can lose tension, crack, or fatigue prematurely. The combination of road vibration, debris, and exposure to weather enhances the effects of these stresses.
To meet OEM standards, assist springs must maintain consistent performance through thousands of cycles, without losing torque or alignment.
The performance of a truck liftgate tension spring depends on material strength, geometry, spring rate, and surface finish. Ace Wire Spring & Form Co. is committed to tight tolerances, meaning each spring we produce is carefully monitored throughout manufacturing to ensure it consistently delivers repeatable performance across its intended operating range.
Engineering for Consistent Force Output
Each liftgate assist spring is designed using advanced modeling software that simulates torque, load, and deflection behavior. By evaluating how these variables interact, our engineers can determine the best configuration for each application.
The result is a spring that maintains a stable force output throughout the lift and descent motion. Whether installed in a compact lift mechanism or a full-size delivery gate, the spring’s balance ensures predictable handling and minimizes wear on associated components.
Material Selection and Surface Treatments
Because material choice is critical to the lifespan of a spring, Ace Wire Spring & Form Co. utilizes oil-tempered or stainless steel wire due to its exceptional strength and corrosion resistance. Depending on the environment, additional treatments, such as phosphate coatings, plating, or shot peening, are applied to extend fatigue life and resist surface wear.
These treatments are particularly valuable for box trucks and delivery fleets operating in regions with high humidity, road salt exposure, or frequent temperature changes.
Custom Geometry for OEM Integration
No liftgate design is identical due to factors such as mounting position, available space, and gate weight. Ace Wire’s engineering team designs each spring to fit within the layout, optimizing coil diameter, leg angle, and end configuration for maximum efficiency.
This ensures that the spring operates seamlessly, providing consistent lift dynamics while adhering to manufacturing constraints.
Reliability begins with verification. Ace Wire Spring & Form Co. performs extensive load validation and testing to confirm that each liftgate assist spring meets the required performance criteria before production approval.
Testing includes:
Load and deflection measurement: Verifying that each spring provides the intended force at specific deflection points.
Cycle endurance testing: Simulating long-term use to evaluate fatigue life and identify early wear patterns.
Dimensional inspection: Confirming coil count, pitch, and wire diameter within tight tolerances.
Environmental durability testing: Assessing resistance to corrosion, moisture, and temperature changes.
Each result is documented for traceability, supporting OEM quality assurance and audit requirements. This process ensures consistent performance across production batches, an essential factor for large-scale manufacturing.
Ace Wire Spring & Form Co. serves a wide range of liftgate system suppliers and fleet equipment builders across North America.
Delivery and Parcel Fleet Vehicles
Springs for parcel delivery trucks must offer smooth, predictable motion to prevent operator fatigue and maintain workflow speed. Ace Wire’s calibrated assist springs are used in numerous fleet applications, enabling companies to maintain uptime and reliability.
Box Trucks and Commercial Delivery Vehicles
Box trucks with manual or semi-automatic liftgates benefit from springs designed to counterbalance heavier panels. Precision-tuned liftgate tension springs provide a controlled lift, enhancing user safety and reducing mechanical strain.
Custom and Specialty Vehicle Manufacturers
For specialized vehicles, such as refrigerated delivery units or service trucks, Ace Wire Spring & Form Co. develops custom lift mechanism springs tailored to the unique mounting conditions and cycle demands, providing smooth operation even under non-standard geometries or weight distributions.
Ace Wire Spring & Form Co. has extensive experience supporting the transportation and manufacturing sectors, providing engineering expertise and production flexibility that align with OEM requirements. As proud members of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM), Ace Wire Spring & Form Co., Inc. prioritizes safety, quality, and compliance for the manufacturing industry.
Scalable Production
From prototype to full-scale production, Ace Wire’s scalable process enables smooth transitions as designs transition from testing to manufacturing. Each batch is produced under controlled conditions, ensuring uniformity and predictable performance.
Engineering Collaboration
Ace Wire’s engineers collaborate directly with design teams to refine spring geometry, torque characteristics, and load response. Early collaboration helps identify opportunities to reduce component stress, simplify installation, and improve long-term reliability.
Quality and Traceability
Every spring, production is backed by complete documentation, including material certifications and test data. This transparency supports manufacturer quality control processes while simplifying product validation.
Reliable liftgate performance depends on the quality of its assist springs. By combining precision engineering, material expertise, and thorough validation testing, Ace Wire Spring & Form Co. enables manufacturers to deliver products that consistently perform in demanding commercial environments.
From box trucks to parcel delivery fleets, our liftgate assist springs enhance system efficiency, reduce maintenance demands, and promote safer operation for end users.
Partner with Ace Wire Spring & Form Co. for consistent liftgate performance, supported by decades of experience, domestic manufacturing, and a commitment to precision.
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