Abstract: An apparatus for use with a vehicle tailgate includes a base, a first attachment member, a second attachment member and a ramp. The first attachment member and second attachment member are spaced apart from each other and extend from the base. The ramp is irremovably secured to the base. The attachment members are configured to be received in a latch of the vehicle tailgate.

Abstract: A crush-tube assembly for securing a truck bed to a frame of a vehicle. The crush-tube assembly includes a first hole defined by the truck bed, a crush-tube defining an inner diameter, a cross-member defining a second hole, and a frame defining a third hole. A bolt extends through the first hole, the crush-tube, the second hole, and third hole. The inner diameter is smaller than the second hole and maintains pressure around a periphery of the second hole. The pressure applied by the bolt around the hole in the cross-member prevents abrasion of the e-coat previously applied to the cross-member and thereby reduces the potential for corrosion of the cross-member.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a truck bed side panel, a docking plate, an E-track, and a clamp. The truck bed side panel has a top surface, a side surface, and an overhang extending from the top surface. The docking plate is secured to the side surface and defines a keyway. A keyed protuberance extends from the E-track. The keyed protuberance engages the keyway and secures the E-track to the docking plate. The clamp extends from the E-track and engages the overhang to secure the E-track to the side panel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a truck bed side panel, a top cover, a clamp, and a plug. The truck bed side panel has a top defining a stake pocket and an overhang extending from the top. The top cover has an upper surface defining an aperture. The clamp is secured to the top cover and engages the overhang to secure the top cover to the top of the side panel. The plug is disposed within the stake pocket and aperture to prevent slippage of the top cover.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a truck bed side panel, a docking plate, an E-track, and a clamp. The truck bed side panel has a top surface, a side surface, and an overhang extending from the top surface. The docking plate is secured to the side surface and defines a keyway. A keyed protuberance extends from the E-track. The keyed protuberance engages the keyway and secures the E-track to the docking plate. The clamp extends from the E-track and engages the overhang to secure the E-track to the side panel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a truck bed side panel, a top cover, a clamp, and a plug. The truck bed side panel has a top defining a stake pocket and an overhang extending from the top. The top cover has an upper surface defining an aperture. The clamp is secured to the top cover and engages the overhang to secure the top cover to the top of the side panel. The plug is disposed within the stake pocket and aperture to prevent slippage of the top cover.

Abstract: An interface system is provided for a truck box. An interface plate is attached to a recess formed in a sidewall of the truck box. A cleat is attached to an inverted T-shaped opening formed in the interface plate. A T-shaped base is inserted in the inverted T-shaped opening to hold the cleat to the sidewall of the truck box. A reinforcement plate is attached to an inside surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a base member having a first protrusion engaging an edge of a fixed plate and a floating hinge connected to the base member. The retaining apparatus also includes a pivotable plate member pivotally connected to the hinge. The pivotable plate member also defines a second protrusion engaging an opposing edge of the fixed plate. The pivotable plate member actuates to clamp the fixed plate between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reinforcement assembly for a truck bed is provided. The method includes roll-forming an aluminum sheet to form a cross-member having a base, a pair of opposing sidewalls extending from the base, and a pair of flanges each extending from one of the sidewalls and substantially parallel with the base. The method includes extruding an aluminum reinforcement member, and attaching the reinforcement member to the cross-member to space the cross-member from a frame rail of the truck.

Abstract: A reinforcement plate is assembled inside a D-pillar of a pick-up truck to prevent twisting or matchbox deflection of the D-pillar when an accessory, such as a hydraulic lift gate, is assembled inside the tailgate opening of the pick-up truck. The plate includes a horizontal planar portion that is attached by a front flange to a front wall of the D-pillar. An outer flange connects the plate to an outer wall of the D-pillar. An offset flange is secured to a rear cross member by fasteners inside the D-pillar.

Abstract: A cargo bed assembly for a pickup truck includes an aluminum truck bed above a pair of frame rails. A plurality of roll-formed 6000-series aluminum cross-members extend along a width of the truck bed and contact the underside of the truck bed. The cross-members include longitudinal channels. Each cross-member contacts a pair of extruded 6000-series aluminum spacers underneath the cross-member at spaced locations to align with the frame rails. The spacers contact the frame rails and at least partially surround a portion of the outer surface of the cross-members to separate the cross-members from the frame rails.

Abstract: A vehicle-bed storage box includes a container having an interior volume, an interface plate disposed within a vehicle-bed sidewall that selectively receives the container against the vehicle-bed sidewall and over a vehicle-bed wheelhouse, the interface plate including a securing recess and an interface bracket extending from at least one sidewall, the interface bracket including a rotating mechanism operable between a plurality of rotational positions, including an engaged position and a secured position when the interface bracket is received by the interface plate, the engaged position being defined by the rotating mechanism being free of engagement with the securing recess and further defined by the interface bracket being at least partially operable within the interface plate, and wherein the secured position is defined by the rotating mechanism being engaged within the securing recess and the interface bracket being substantially free of movement within the interface plate.

Abstract: An interface system is provided for a truck box. An interface plate is attached to a recess formed in a sidewall of the truck box. A cleat is attached to an inverted T-shaped opening formed in the interface plate. A T-shaped base is inserted in the inverted T-shaped opening to hold the cleat to the sidewall of the truck box. A reinforcement plate is attached to an inside surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: An aluminum pickup bed is assembled from a stamped headboard, a stamped floorpan, and a roll formed front sill. The headboard, a floorpan flange extending downwardly from the floorpan, and a front wall of the front sill form a three piece sandwich structure. Flow drilled screws are installed into the sandwich structure from the headboard side. The front sill includes a closed front flange and an open rear flange, each of which is welded to the floorpan.

Abstract: A cargo bed assembly for a pickup truck includes an aluminum truck bed above a pair of frame rails. A plurality of roll-formed 6000-series aluminum cross-members extend along a width of the truck bed and contact the underside of the truck bed. The cross-members include longitudinal channels. Each cross-member contacts a pair of extruded 6000-series aluminum spacers underneath the cross-member at spaced locations to align with the frame rails. The spacers contact the frame rails and at least partially surround a portion of the outer surface of the cross-members to separate the cross-members from the frame rails.

Abstract: A tailgate striker support bracket assembly for a pickup truck box. The assembly having a bracket with a striker support section sandwiched between a striker and a floating striker nut. The bracket having a web extending from the striker support section to a flange. The flange being affixed to a D-pillar of the truck box. The D-pillar being disposed between a side panel of the truck box and an outer panel of the pickup. The D-pillar also being disposed longitudinally forward from the striker. The pickup truck box being made from mostly aluminum alloy components.

Abstract: A tailgate striker support bracket assembly for a pickup truck box. The assembly having a bracket with a striker support section sandwiched between a striker and a floating striker nut. The bracket having a web extending from the striker support section to a flange. The flange being affixed to a D-pillar of the truck box. The D-pillar being disposed between a side panel of the truck box and an outer panel of the pickup. The D-pillar also being disposed longitudinally forward from the striker. The pickup truck box being made from mostly aluminum alloy components.

Abstract: A closeout member is provided which may be disposed within an opening partially defined by a corner member and a rail edge of a side panel adjacent to a tailgate and tail lamp of a pickup truck box. The closeout member may include an outboard side secured to the corner member and shaped to substantially match a curvature of the corner member and a forward side secured at the rail edge such that the closeout member reinforces the curvature of the corner member. The closeout member may also include an inboard edge and an extension member extending at a substantially ninety degree angle downwardly from the inboard edge and may be at least partially secured to the corner member. The side panel and closeout member may be five or six thousand series aluminum.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame having a pair of longitudinal rails and a box. The box includes a bed supported by the rails and a pair of opposing sidewalls connected to the bed outboard of the rails. A pair of braces provide additional support between the bed and the frame rails. Each may be attached between respective rails and a bottom portion of the bed outboard the rails.

Abstract: A corner node for reinforcing a portion of a truck box of a pickup truck is provided. The corner node may be disposed within a cavity defined by a cross member and a corner box pillar of the truck box. The corner node may include a lateral portion and a pillar portion extending vertically from the lateral portion. The lateral portion may be secured within the cross member. The pillar portion may have a plurality of sidewalls secured to the pillar and may define a plurality of web supports spaced apart along a height of the pillar portion to reinforce a corner region of the truck box. The corner node may be five or six thousand series aluminum.