Abstract: An attachment structure system is disclosed for attaching a damper to a vehicle. The attachment structure system can include a stiffener body that has a central portion connected to a damper. The stiffener body can be connected to both the vehicle's frame and a vehicle body portion, such as the wheel housing, to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness from being transmitted to the driver of the vehicle, and to provide other structural and ride characteristic benefits to the vehicle.

Abstract: An attachment structure system is disclosed for attaching a damper to a vehicle. The attachment structure system can include a stiffener body that has a central portion connected to a damper. The stiffener body can be connected to both the vehicle's frame and a vehicle body portion, such as the wheel housing, to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness from being transmitted to the driver of the vehicle, and to provide other structural and ride characteristic benefits to the vehicle.

Abstract: A seal nut assembly includes a locking member, a bearing member, and a resilient member. The locking member defines a threaded aperture. The bearing member has an inner annular portion and an outer annular portion which radially circumscribes the inner annular portion. The inner annular portion comprises a first lower surface and defines an opening. The outer annular portion comprises a second lower surface which is stepped with respect to the first lower surface. The bearing member is disposed adjacent to the locking member such that the opening is aligned with the threaded aperture. The resilient member is attached to the second lower surface of the bearing member adjacent to the outer perimeter. A vehicle including a seal nut assembly and a method of manufacturing a seal nut assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A garnish system for a vehicle. The system comprises a garnish having a patterned surface with styling features, a cavity, and a mounting aperture within the cavity for receiving a fastener to attach the garnish to a mounting structure. A cover is shaped to engage and close the cavity such that the cover, which is patterned to correspond to the styling features of the garnish, visually obscures the cover when the cover is installed. A method employs the cover.

Abstract: A vehicle deflector assembly includes a first member and second member with at least one of the first and second members secured to an associated vehicle. Both the first and second members extend along a substantial portion of a width of the vehicle. A connecting assembly connects the first and second members together while allowing relative thermal expansive movement therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle frame having a cab portion and a load-carrying bed includes sidewall structures opposed and spaced from one another forming sides of the cab portion and sides of the load-carrying bed. A wall structure extends between the spaced sidewall structures and separates the cab portion and the load-carrying bed. The wall structure forms a rear wall of the cab portion and a forward wall of the load-carrying bed.

Abstract: A rear pillar structure of a vehicle frame is provided for supporting a dual mode tailgate including a pillar member having a first leg and a second leg. The first leg extends generally vertically along a side wall of the vehicle frame which partially defines a load carrying bed. The second leg extends along a cross member connecting a pair of frame rails of the vehicle frame. A support member is mounted inside the first leg for reinforcing the first leg at a location at which the dual mode tailgate connects to the pillar.