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.

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.