a vehicle having an endgate counter balance for use with an endgate of the vehicle , and a method of operating , is disclosed . the endgate counterbalance may include a hinge arm extending from the hinge , an energy storage device and a crank mechanism connected between the hinge arm and the energy storage device . the endgate counterbalance is configured to create a cross - over position for the endgate between closed and fully open where the endgate counterbalance does not exert a rotational bias on the endgate .