Abstract: A tailgate assembly includes a frame subassembly having a cargo bed access opening disposed between a driver side section and a passenger side section, and a door subassembly that is pivotably coupled to the frame subassembly and is pivotable relative to the frame subassembly back-and-forth between a door open position and a door closed position. The door subassembly closes the cargo bed access opening when the door subassembly is in the door closed position. The assembly further includes a tube of the frame subassembly. The tube extends along an inboard side of the driver side section, along an inboard side of the passenger side section, and along a bottom of the cargo bed access opening.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly includes a frame subassembly having a cargo bed access opening disposed between a driver side section and a passenger side section, and a door subassembly that is pivotably coupled to the frame subassembly and is pivotable relative to the frame subassembly back-and-forth between a door open position and a door closed position. The door subassembly closes the cargo bed access opening when the door subassembly is in the door closed position. The assembly further includes a tube of the frame subassembly. The tube extends along an inboard side of the driver side section, along an inboard side of the passenger side section, and along a bottom of the cargo bed access opening.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dual-purpose grab handle and tie-down bracket for a motor vehicle. An example vehicle includes a body panel defining at least a portion of a recess, and a component mounted at least partially in the recess. Further, the component provides a tie-down bracket configured to attach to a tie-down and a grab handle configured to be grasped by a hand of a user.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a dual-purpose grab handle and tie-down bracket for a motor vehicle. An example vehicle includes a body panel defining at least a portion of a recess, and a component mounted at least partially in the recess. Further, the component provides a tie-down bracket configured to attach to a tie-down and a grab handle configured to be grasped by a hand of a user.

Abstract: A reinforcement panel for the floor of a pick-up truck bed. The reinforcement panel is assembled between the floor of the pick-up truck and a fifth wheel cross member. The reinforcement panel includes transversely extending reinforcing or stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs resist deflection in the area of the gooseneck ball receptacle.

Abstract: A pickup-truck box includes a bed and a sidewall connected to a longitudinal side of the bed. The sidewall includes an inner panel, an outer panel, and a top rail. The top rail defines a stake-pocket hole and extends between the panels to define a sidewall interior. A stake-pocket bracket includes a tubular body defining an opening. The bracket is disposed within the sidewall interior with a first side of the tubular body secured to the inner panel at a location that vertical aligns the opening with the hole to receive an object within the opening.

Abstract: A pickup-truck box includes a bed and a sidewall connected to a longitudinal side of the bed. The sidewall includes an inner panel, an outer panel, and a top rail. The top rail defines a stake-pocket hole and extends between the panels to define a sidewall interior. A stake-pocket bracket includes a tubular body defining an opening. The bracket is disposed within the sidewall interior with a first side of the tubular body secured to the inner panel at a location that vertical aligns the opening with the hole to receive an object within the opening.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate includes an upper panel, lower panel, internal panel, external panel and brace. The upper and lower panels are spaced apart relative to each other. The internal and external panels are each secured to the upper and lower panels. A cavity is defined between the upper, lower, internal, and external panels. The brace is disposed within the cavity. The brace includes first and second flanges extending outward from a central plate. The first and second flanges are secured to the internal panel while the central plate is secured to the external panel.

Abstract: A filler pipe bracket of an aluminum pickup truck includes a two-tiered body, a first side member, and a second side member. The two-tiered body includes a first layer defining a first pipe aperture and a second layer defining a second pipe aperture. The first side member extends from the first layer and includes a first mount flange oriented for securing to a portion of an inner pickup box frame. The second side member extends from the second layer and includes a second mount flange for fastening to another portion of the inner pickup box frame. The first pipe aperture may be sized to receive a diesel fuel pipe and the second pipe aperture may be sized to receive a diesel exhaust fluid pipe.

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 box for a pickup truck includes a bed and a pair of sidewalls connected to opposing longitudinal sides of the bed. Each of the sidewalls has an inner panel and an outer panel. The outer panel has a wall portion, a lower portion, and an upper portion connected to the inner panel to join the inner and outer panels together. At least one brace is disposed in one of the sidewalls and includes a first flange connected to the upper portion, a second flange connected to the lower portion, and a third flange connected to an interior surface of the wall portion.

Abstract: A reinforcement assembly is provided for a pickup truck bed. The reinforcement is assembled to a cross member that supports the pickup truck bed. The reinforcement includes a bridge spanning a channel defined by the cross member. The reinforcement assembly is suspended on tabs that are received in recesses defined by a front weld flange and a rear weld flange. A urethane isolator is utilized to secure the cross member to a frame component.

Abstract: A reinforcement panel for the floor of a pick-up truck bed. The reinforcement panel is assembled between the floor of the pick-up truck and a fifth wheel cross member. The reinforcement panel includes transversely extending reinforcing or stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs resist deflection in the area of the gooseneck ball receptacle.

Abstract: A reinforcement assembly is provided for a pickup truck bed. The reinforcement is assembled to a cross member that supports the pickup truck bed. The reinforcement includes a bridge spanning a channel defined by the cross member. The reinforcement assembly is suspended on tabs that are received in recesses defined by a front weld flange and a rear weld flange. A urethane isolator is utilized to secure the cross member to a frame component.

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 reinforcement panel for the floor of a pick-up truck bed. The reinforcement panel is assembled between the floor of the pick-up truck and a fifth wheel cross member. The reinforcement panel includes transversely extending reinforcing or stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs resist deflection in the area of the gooseneck ball receptacle.

Abstract: A reinforcement panel for the floor of a pick-up truck bed. The reinforcement panel is assembled between the floor of the pick-up truck and a fifth wheel cross member. The reinforcement panel includes transversely extending reinforcing or stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs resist deflection in the area of the gooseneck ball receptacle.

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 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.