Abstract: A method of properly aligning a sliding side door on a vehicle includes first preparing a prototype vehicle and determining how far out of alignment the door is to the body of the prototype vehicle. This amount of misalignment is then used to adjust the attachment position of an anchor plate to a sliding side door of the vehicle, so that the anchor plate is attached at a desired position to the production vehicle, which causes there to be no misalignment between the sliding side door and the body of the production vehicle. A jig is used to hold the anchor plate at the desired location while welding the anchor plate to the door. A roller assembly is then attached to the anchor plate and to a rail on a body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load carrying bed includes a frame having a first or proximal lateral side adapted to be hingedly connected for opening in a swing open mode and a second or distal lateral side oppositely positioned relative to the first lateral side. The tailgate assembly further includes a reinforcement frame component overlaid onto the frame at the first lateral side to increase torsional stiffness at or near the first lateral side.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load carrying bed includes a frame having a first or proximal lateral side adapted to be hingedly connected for opening in a swing open mode and a second or distal lateral side oppositely positioned relative to the first lateral side. The tailgate assembly further includes a reinforcement frame component overlaid onto the frame at the first lateral side to increase torsional stiffness at or near the first lateral side.