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 and a reinforcing patch. The vehicle body component defines a cavity. The reinforcing patch is disposed within and attached to the vehicle body component. The reinforcing patch includes a substrate and a reinforcing body attached to the substrate. The reinforcing body has a first tab, a second tab, and a first slit between the first and second tabs. The slit is at least partially filled by the substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine and an air induction system configured to provide intake air to the internal combustion engine. The air induction system includes an intake port, an air box coupled to the intake port and having a wet side air box and a dry side air box, at least one sensor disposed within the air box and configured to detect a presence or level of liquid within the air box, and a watertight door disposed within the air box and configured to move between an open position that allows air to pass through the air box dry side, and a closed position that facilitates preventing liquid from passing into the air box dry side.

Abstract: One or more ECU's in an automotive vehicle have a contingent boot and an authenticated boot. When each such ECU is initialized, that ECU performs the contingent boot and the authenticated boot in parallel. The authenticated boot authenticates operational firmware for that ECU that is stored in flash memory of that ECU, starting with initial firmware of the operational firmware. Contingent boot firmware is stored in flash memory of the ECU or is stored in essentially non-alterable memory of the ECU. The contingent boot executes the ECU contingent boot firmware for that ECU. The contingent boot firmware has limited functionality and does not have the ability to flash the flash memory. Upon successful authentication of the initial firmware, the ECU executes the initial firmware and terminates the contingent boot.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body with a truck bed at least partially defining a cargo area, a tonneau cover at least partially enclosing the cargo area, a vehicle interior with passenger seating, and a modular, multi-component hard top assembly. The hard top assembly is configured to selectively and removably couple interchangeably between (i) the vehicle body to provide an enclosed configuration at least partially enclosing the vehicle interior and (ii) the tonneau cover. The multi-component hard top assembly is detachable from the vehicle body to provide an open air configuration for the vehicle interior.

Abstract: A pivot bracket assembly having a pivot bracket configured to be fixed between a tailgate and a vehicle body. A pivot pin extends through the through-hole of the pivot bracket, and includes a first end configured to be attached to the tailgate and a second end. A pivot arm includes an aperture configured for receipt of the second end of the pivot pin, and a portion configured to be coupled to the vehicle body. A bushing assembly including a sleeve and at least one bushing positioned within the sleeve is positioned within the through-hole of the pivot bracket and the pivot pin extends through the sleeve and the bushing, wherein a debris mitigation cover is positioned between the pivot arm and the pivot bracket that is configured to minimize dust and/or debris from entering the bushing assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle having an on-board vacuum includes an interior trim quarter side panel assembly disposed adjacent a third row of seats, and an on-board central vacuum system integrated into the interior trim quarter panel assembly. The interior trim quarter side panel assembly includes an outermost surface, an armrest portion positioned between an inboard sidewall and an outboard sidewall of the interior trim quarter panel assembly, and generally sloping toward an interior floor of the vehicle, and a handle pocket defining an opening in the armrest portion and a cavity below the outermost surface. The on-board central vacuum system includes a vacuum hose coupled to a vacuum motor assembly, and a vacuum nozzle handle coupled to the vacuum hose and nestingly received within the handle pocket such that in a stowed position within the handle pocket cavity, the vacuum nozzle handle is located at or below the outermost surface.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a hinge for a vehicle door includes a door hinge adapted to be mounted to a vehicle door and a body hinge adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body. Either the door hinge or the body hinge includes a hinge pin, a void is defined by the other one of the door hinge or the body hinge that does not include the hinge pin, and a retainer is movable relative to the void. The hinge pin is received in the void in an assembled state of the hinge, and the retainer overlaps a retaining surface in an advanced position of the retainer to inhibit removal of the hinge pin from the void. In this way, the vehicle door may be releasably retained on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a first vehicle component, a second vehicle component, and a fastener assembly. The first vehicle component has a first side defining a first opening and a second side opposite the first side defining a second opening. The second vehicle component is disposed between the first and second sides of the first vehicle component. The fastener assembly attaches the first and second vehicle components to each other and includes a sleeve, a bushing, and a fastener. The sleeve is disposed within the first opening of the first vehicle component. The bushing extends through the second vehicle component and is disposed between the first and second sides of the first vehicle component. The fastener extends through the sleeve, the bushing and the first and second openings of the first vehicle component.

Abstract: A convertible top system for a vehicle having structural support for a vehicle roof includes an overhead cover system having a perimeter frame configured to couple to the structural support and defining a plurality of overhead openings, and a plurality of cassettes configured to releasably couple to the perimeter frame such that each cassette of the plurality of cassettes is operably associated with one of the overhead openings. Each cassette of the plurality of cassettes includes at least one of a retractable mesh screen and a retractable shade configured to be moved between a fully open position that does not cover the associated overhead opening, and a fully closed position that covers the associated overhead opening.

Abstract: A vehicle with a rear seat storage arrangement includes a floor, a seat including a seat bottom rotatably coupled to a seat back, and an underseat storage system removably coupled to the floor below the seat bottom. The underseat storage system includes a storage bin and a lockable lid defining a storage compartment. The lockable lid includes a latch configured to selectively lock to prevent access to the storage compartment and facilitate preventing access for removably uncoupling the underseat storage system from the floor.

Abstract: A particulate separator includes a housing, and air guide, and an outlet body. The housing has an inlet through which air enters an interior, a first outlet and a second outlet. The air guide is carried by the housing between the inlet and the first outlet, and has deflectors and flow paths between adjacent deflectors, the flow paths communicating with the housing interior. The outlet body has a central portion and a wall extending outwardly from the central portion. The central portion is received at least partially within the interior of the housing with a space defined between an outer surface of the central portion and an inner surface of the housing, and the central portion has an opening through which air flows through the outlet body, and the wall encloses the space so that air that flows around the central portion is blocked by the wall.