Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a door and a handle assembly. A door is coupled to the vehicle body and is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and a horizontal open position. The door is also pivotable about a vertical axis between the closed position and a vertical open position. The handle assembly includes a housing, a first release switch and a second release switch. The housing extends at least partially into a cavity of the door and includes a lower wall and an upper wall that cooperate to define a pocket. The first release switch is disposed along the upper wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the horizontal axis. The second release switch is disposed along the lower wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate (30) has a frame (40) with a cross beam (42) and a pair of side beams (44, 46). One side beam (44, 46) extends from each end of the cross beam (42). A first metal tapping plate (50, 150) is secured with the cross beam (42). At least one elongated tang (56) is positioned between the body (52) and each tab (54). A clevis bracket (82) is positioned on the side beams (44, 46). An overmolded (108) material is on the shaft (100, 102) and the two heads (96, 98) of the striker (88). The wedges (92, 94), on the clevis bracket (82), aligns the clevis bracket (82) with the striker (84). A second tapping plate (70) is secured to the sheet metal.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a door and a hinge assembly. The door is coupled to the vehicle body and is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and a horizontal open position. The door is also pivotable about a vertical axis between the closed position and a vertical open position. The hinge assembly pivotably couples the door to the vehicle body and includes a first hinge and a second hinge. The first hinge includes a first hinge plate and at least one first hinge barrel extending from the first hinge plate. The second hinge includes a second hinge plate, an extension section and at least one second hinge barrel. The extension section positions the vertical axis laterally outwardly relative to a mounting location of the hinge assembly to the vehicle body. The vertical axis also being positioned inwardly relative to the door.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a door and a handle assembly. A door is coupled to the vehicle body and is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and a horizontal open position. The door is also pivotable about a vertical axis between the closed position and a vertical open position. The handle assembly includes a housing, a first release switch and a second release switch. The housing extends at least partially into a cavity of the door and includes a lower wall and an upper wall that cooperate to define a pocket. The first release switch is disposed along the upper wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the horizontal axis. The second release switch is disposed along the lower wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a door and a hinge assembly. The door is coupled to the vehicle body and is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and a horizontal open position. The door is also pivotable about a vertical axis between the closed position and a vertical open position. The hinge assembly pivotably couples the door to the vehicle body and includes a first hinge and a second hinge. The first hinge includes a first hinge plate and at least one first hinge barrel extending from the first hinge plate. The second hinge includes a second hinge plate, an extension section and at least one second hinge barrel. The extension section positions the vertical axis laterally outwardly relative to a mounting location of the hinge assembly to the vehicle body. The vertical axis also being positioned inwardly relative to the door.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate (30) has a frame (40) with a cross beam (42) and a pair of side beams (44, 46). One side beam (44, 46) extends from each end of the cross beam (42). A first metal tapping plate (50, 150) is secured with the cross beam (42). At least one elongated tang (56) is positioned between the body (52) and each tab (54). A clevis bracket (82) is positioned on the side beams (44, 46). An overmolded (108) material is on the shaft (100, 102) and the two heads (96, 98) of the striker (88). The wedges (92, 94), on the clevis bracket (82), aligns the clevis bracket (82) with the striker (84). A second tapping plate (70) is secured to the sheet metal.

Abstract: A vehicle liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel and an outer header panel. The inner panel includes a header member, a pair of supports, a lower section, and at least one stiffener. The header member has a top edge and a bottom edge. The supports couple the header to the lower section. The supports and the bottom edge of the header member partially define a window aperture. The stiffener is coupled to the header member between the top and bottom edges and between opposite ends of the header member. The outer header panel is mounted to the header member to define a header cavity between the header member and the outer header panel. The stiffener protrudes from the header member into the header cavity and is fixed to the outer header panel.

Abstract: A liftgate for a vehicle and a method of making the liftgate are disclosed. The liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel. The die-cast inner panel includes an upper section and a lower section. The upper section has a header member and a pair of supports extending from opposite ends of the header member to partially define a window aperture. The lower section includes a pair of side portions and a base portion that define a generally “U” shaped aperture. Each side portion is coupled to a respective one of the supports and the “U” shaped aperture opens into the window aperture.

Abstract: A vehicle liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel. The inner panel includes an upper section and a lower section. The lower section defines a rim, pair of taillight cans, and pair of first bridge members. The rim is disposed about a periphery of the lower section. The rim has a generally “U” shaped cross-section that protrudes in a fore direction from a fore face of the lower section to define a trough in an aft face of the lower section. Each taillight can has an inner portion and an outer portion separated by the trough. Each inner and outer portion has a side wall and a back wall. The side walls offset the back walls in the fore direction from the aft face. Each first bridge member spans the trough between a respective set of the inner and outer portions of each taillight can.

Abstract: A vehicle liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel. The inner panel includes an upper section and a lower section. The lower section defines a rim, pair of taillight cans, and pair of first bridge members. The rim is disposed about a periphery of the lower section. The rim has a generally “U” shaped cross-section that protrudes in a fore direction from a fore face of the lower section to define a trough in an aft face of the lower section. Each taillight can has an inner portion and an outer portion separated by the trough. Each inner and outer portion has a side wall and a back wall. The side walls offset the back walls in the fore direction from the aft face. Each first bridge member spans the trough between a respective set of the inner and outer portions of each taillight can.

Abstract: A liftgate for a vehicle and a method of making the liftgate are disclosed. The liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel. The die-cast inner panel includes an upper section and a lower section. The upper section has a header member and a pair of supports extending from opposite ends of the header member to partially define a window aperture. The lower section includes a pair of side portions and a base portion that define a generally “U” shaped aperture. Each side portion is coupled to a respective one of the supports and the “U” shaped aperture opens into the window aperture.

Abstract: A vehicle liftgate includes a die-cast inner panel and an outer header panel. The inner panel includes a header member, a pair of supports, a lower section, and at least one stiffener. The header member has a top edge and a bottom edge. The supports couple the header to the lower section. The supports and the bottom edge of the header member partially define a window aperture. The stiffener is coupled to the header member between the top and bottom edges and between opposite ends of the header member. The outer header panel is mounted to the header member to define a header cavity between the header member and the outer header panel. The stiffener protrudes from the header member into the header cavity and is fixed to the outer header panel.