Abstract: A parcel shelf for a vehicle includes a tray disposed between a trunk area and a cabin area of the vehicle and a soundproofing partition extending laterally between two distal portions of the tray such that the tray is partitioned into a forward region and a rearward region. The forward region includes openings and each of these openings is sealed to limit passage of sound from the trunk area into the cabin area through the forward region. The soundproofing partition is configured such that the sound from the trunk area reaching the rearward region is redirected along an extended sound pathway before entering the cabin area. A resulting sound level entering the cabin area is reduced below a defined threshold level.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body component defining a trunk and a trunk gutter, a weather strip attached is a distal end of the trunk gutter, a trunk lid adapted to be disposed in the trunk gutter when in a closed position, and a tail light assembly affixed to the body component. The tail light assembly includes a housing defining an inner surface of the tail light assembly affixed to the body of the motor vehicle by a fastener, a bracket disposed in the housing, a light source affixed to the bracket, an inner lens overlaying the light source, an opaque lens extension extending from a distal end of the inner lens obscuring the bracket and housing from a view rearward of the motor vehicle, and an outer lens overlaying the inner lens and the opaque lens extension.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body component defining a trunk and a trunk gutter, a weather strip attached is a distal end of the trunk gutter, a trunk lid adapted to be disposed in the trunk gutter when in a closed position, and a tail light assembly affixed to the body component. The tail light assembly includes a housing defining an inner surface of the tail light assembly affixed to the body of the motor vehicle by a fastener, a bracket disposed in the housing, a light source affixed to the bracket, an inner lens overlaying the light source, an opaque lens extension extending from a distal end of the inner lens obscuring the bracket and housing from a view rearward of the motor vehicle, and an outer lens overlaying the inner lens and the opaque lens extension.

Abstract: A parcel shelf for a vehicle includes a tray disposed between a trunk area and a cabin area of the vehicle and a soundproofing partition extending laterally between two distal portions of the tray such that the tray is partitioned into a forward region and a rearward region. The forward region includes openings and each of these openings is sealed to limit passage of sound from the trunk area into the cabin area through the forward region. The soundproofing partition is configured such that the sound from the trunk area reaching the rearward region is redirected along an extended sound pathway before entering the cabin area. A resulting sound level entering the cabin area is reduced below a defined threshold level.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a frame having a forward frame part defining a passenger cabin and a rear frame part defining a load carrying bed. A separate rear fender is removably fastened to the rear frame part, wherein a gap is provided between the forward frame part and the rear fender. A separate rear fender fairing is mounted to an inside surface of the rear fender. The rear fender fairing includes a seal located in the gap and sealingly engaging both the forward frame part and the rear fender.

Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a front pillar having an internal space defined by a forward wall, a rear wall, an outer lateral side wall, and an inner lateral side wall. The internal space is partitioned by longitudinally extending first and second ribs connecting inside faces of the forward and rear walls and a laterally extending third rib connecting an inside face of the inner side wall and the first rib. The first, second and third ribs separate the front pillar into a plurality of interior hollow portions. Two laterally adjacent hollow portions define an outer lateral portion of the front pillar and two longitudinally adjacent hollow portions define an inner lateral portion of the front pillar.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly method includes providing an aluminum roof component including a peripheral flange structure that defines a roof adhesive bonding zone; providing a steel vehicle body component including a body adhesive bonding zone; removably fastening the roof component to the vehicle body component with the peripheral flange structure spaced from the vehicle body component; electrocoating the roof component secured to the vehicle body component including the roof adhesive bonding zone and the body adhesive bonding zone; painting the roof component secured to the vehicle body component; removing the painted roof component from the painted vehicle body component; applying an adhesive that is curable at room temperature to at least one of the roof adhesive bonding zone and the body adhesive bonding zone; securely fastening the painted roof component to the painted vehicle body component with the adhesive spanning the adhesive bonding zones; and curing the adhesive.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a frame having a forward frame part defining a passenger cabin and a rear frame part defining a load carrying bed. A separate rear fender is removably fastened to the rear frame part, wherein a gap is provided between the forward frame part and the rear fender. A separate rear fender fairing is mounted to an inside surface of the rear fender. The rear fender fairing includes a seal located in the gap and sealingly engaging both the forward frame part and the rear fender.

Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a front pillar having an internal space defined by a forward wall, a rear wall, an outer lateral side wall, and an inner lateral side wall. The internal space is partitioned by longitudinally extending first and second ribs connecting inside faces of the forward and rear walls and a laterally extending third rib connecting an inside face of the inner side wall and the first rib. The first, second and third ribs separate the front pillar into a plurality of interior hollow portions. Two laterally adjacent hollow portions define an outer lateral portion of the front pillar and two longitudinally adjacent hollow portions define an inner lateral portion of the front pillar.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly includes a frame having a forward frame part defining a passenger cabin and a rear frame part defining a load carrying bed. A separate rear fender is removably fastened to the rear frame part, wherein a gap is provided between the forward frame part and the rear fender. A separate rear fender fairing is mounted to an inside surface of the rear fender. The rear fender fairing includes a seal located in the gap and sealingly engaging both the forward frame part and the rear fender.

Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a front pillar having an internal space defined by a forward wall, a rear wall, an outer lateral side wall, and an inner lateral side wall. The internal space is partitioned by longitudinally extending first and second ribs connecting inside faces of the forward and rear walls and a laterally extending third rib connecting an inside face of the inner side wall and the first rib. The first, second and third ribs separate the front pillar into a plurality of interior hollow portions. Two laterally adjacent hollow portions define an outer lateral portion of the front pillar and two longitudinally adjacent hollow portions define an inner lateral portion of the front pillar.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly method includes providing an aluminum roof component including a peripheral flange structure that defines a roof adhesive bonding zone; providing a steel vehicle body component including a body adhesive bonding zone; removably fastening the roof component to the vehicle body component with the peripheral flange structure spaced from the vehicle body component; electrocoating the roof component secured to the vehicle body component including the roof adhesive bonding zone and the body adhesive bonding zone; painting the roof component secured to the vehicle body component; removing the painted roof component from the painted vehicle body component; applying an adhesive that is curable at room temperature to at least one of the roof adhesive bonding zone and the body adhesive bonding zone; securely fastening the painted roof component to the painted vehicle body component with the adhesive spanning the adhesive bonding zones; and curing the adhesive.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a steel vehicle body with a vehicle body component defined by a pair of body members. The vehicle body component defines a body adhesive bonding zone. Front and rear roof rails span laterally between the body members. An aluminum vehicle roof component includes a roof panel having a peripheral flange structure which defines a roof adhesive bonding zone corresponding to the body adhesive bonding zone. Forward and rear support brackets extend laterally across the roof panel, a portion of each support bracket is located on the flange structure inwardly of the roof adhesive bonding zone. The support brackets are configured to provide a vertical spacing between the flange structure and the vehicle body. The vehicle roof component is bonded to the vehicle body via an adhesive applied to the body and roof adhesive bonding zones.

Abstract: A masking system and method for painting a vehicle with parts made of dissimilar materials is provided. The masking system includes a masking gasket temporarily mounted between a mounting surface of a first part and a mounting surface of a second part. The masking gasket further includes a plurality of links, thermal expansion joints linking together the plurality of links, and mounting locations for securing the masking gasket to the first and second parts of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes an elongated side sill having an internal space defined by an upper wall, a lower wall, an outer lateral side wall, and an inner lateral side wall. The internal space is partitioned by a vertical rib and a horizontal rib, the perpendicularly crossed vertical and horizontal ribs connecting inside faces of the upper, lower, outer and inner walls. The vertical rib separates the side sill into an outer lateral portion and an inner lateral portion. The outer lateral portion is defined by an outer lateral section of each of the upper and lower wall and the outer side wall. The inner lateral portion is defined by an inner lateral section of each of the upper and lower wall and the inner side wall. The outer lateral portion of the side sill is thicker than the inner lateral portion of the side sill.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.

Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a side sill having an internal space partitioned by a vertical rib and a horizontal rib intersecting the vertical rib. The vertical rib separates the side sill into an outer lateral portion and an inner lateral portion. The inner lateral side sill portion includes a cutout extending vertically therethrough. A pillar has an internal space partitioned by a longitudinally extending first rib and a laterally extending second rib intersecting the first rib. The first rib separates the pillar into an outer lateral portion and an inner lateral portion. The inner lateral pillar portion is disposed through and secured in the cutout of the portion, and an axial end face of the outer lateral pillar portion is in abutment with the outer lateral side sill portion. The side sill and the pillar are welded to each other along an interface between the two components.

Abstract: A vehicle frame water baffle arrangement, a water baffle and method include a first closed section of a vehicle frame, a second closed section of the vehicle frame arranged adjacent the first closed section of the vehicle frame, and a water baffle. The water baffle has a body arranged complementarily within the first closed section to inhibit passage of water thereby within the first closed section and a water spout extending from the body of the water baffle into the second closed section to direct water arriving at the water baffle into the second closed section.

Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a structural pillar defined by a first structural node, a second structural node, an upper outer member and an upper inner member spaced laterally from the upper outer member. The upper outer member extends substantially vertically between the first and second structural nodes and has first and second end portions connected to the respective first and second structural nodes. The upper inner member is angled laterally inwardly relative to the upper outer member and has a first end portion connected to the first structural node. The first and second structural nodes together with the upper outer and inner members define a first triangular load distribution path for the vehicle frame assembly which is adapted to distribute a roof crush load from the first structural node to the upper outer and inner members.