Abstract: A spare tire storage system for an automotive vehicle includes a swing arm having a first end rotatably attached to a first portion of a vehicle undercarriage and a second end detachably engagable to a second portion of a vehicle undercarriage, the swing arm rotatable in a vertical and horizontal plane when in a disengaged state, and a tire attached to the second end of the swing arm.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate assembly having a transverse beam placed between the inner and outer surfaces of a tailgate. The transverse beam transfers a load placed on the tailgate to side plates secured to the transverse beam. The side plates transfer the load to cables that are attached between the side plates and the pickup sides. The transverse beam is generally positioned at the top of the tailgate. Box-like sections were added to the lower portion of the tailgate aligned between the pivot hinges. The box-like sections are formed into the tailgate by joining the inner and outer walls of the tailgate.