Abstract: A vehicle body includes a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent the first compartment. The body includes a frame defining an opening between the first and second compartments. A window is fixed in an upper portion of the opening and a crossbar is fixed in the opening below the window. A midgate panel is pivotally connected in a lower portion of the opening for movement between a closed position covering the lower portion of the opening and an open position permitting access through the lower portion of the opening. A drive motor is operatively connected with the midgate panel for pivoting the midgate panel between the open and closed positions. A counterbalancing strut is operatively connected between the midgate panel and a body floor to bias the midgate panel toward the open and closed positions, alternatively, depending upon the pivoted position of the midgate panel.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent the first compartment. The body includes a frame defining an opening between the first and second compartments. A window is fixed in an upper portion of the opening and a crossbar is fixed in the opening below the window. A midgate panel is pivotally connected in a lower portion of the opening for movement between a closed position covering the lower portion of the opening and an open position permitting access through the lower portion of the opening. A drive motor is operatively connected with the midgate panel for pivoting the midgate panel between the open and closed positions. A counterbalancing strut is operatively connected between the midgate panel and a body floor to bias the midgate panel toward the open and closed positions, alternatively, depending upon the pivoted position of the midgate panel.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent to the first compartment. The body includes a plurality of body components defining an opening between the first and second compartments. A structural support ring is attached in the opening and includes a pivotable midgate panel preassembled to the support ring to ease installation. At least one hinge is pivotably connected between the midgate panel and the support ring. At least one latch selectively secures the midgate panel in an upright closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle body has a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent the first compartment. The body includes a frame defining an opening between the first and second compartments. The opening includes lower and upper portions. A window is mounted to the frame to close the upper portion of the opening. A closure panel is mounted to the frame and includes first and second hinged panel sections each pivotable between an open position permitting access through first and second portions, respectively, of the lower portion of the opening, and a closed position closing the first and second portions, respectively, of the lower portion of the opening.

Abstract: A hinge cup is adapted to be installed on an outer surface of a vehicle end gate. The hinge cup includes a hinge cup body constructed of a polymer material. The hinge cup body is attached to a surface of the vehicle end gate and has an outer surface that is operable to cooperate with a trunnion member extending outwardly from an end gate mounting location on a vehicle body. The hinge cup body cooperates with the trunnion member when the end gate is placed adjacent the end gate mounting location on the vehicle body.

Abstract: A hinge cup is adapted to be installed on an outer surface of a vehicle end gate. The hinge cup includes a hinge cup body constructed of a polymer material. The hinge cup body is attached to a surface of the vehicle end gate and has an outer surface that is operable to cooperate with a trunnion member extending outwardly from an end gate mounting location on a vehicle body. The hinge cup body cooperates with the trunnion member when the end gate is placed adjacent the end gate mounting location on the vehicle body.