Abstract: A method of fabricating a vehicle door includes providing a lower door structure, providing an upper door structure having a pair of spaced apart frame rails, installing a window member between the frame rails, installing a window regulator to the window member and the upper door structure, and coupling the lower and upper door structures to one another. The window regulator may include a powered lead screw regulator, a rack and pinion regulator or a cable and drum regulator.

Abstract: A closure member assembly for a vehicle has a vehicle body that defines an aperture. The closure member assembly is positionable between a first position wherein the closure member assembly substantially covers the aperture and a second position wherein the closure member assembly substantially clears the aperture. The closure member assembly includes a first structure, a second structure and a drive mechanism. The first structure is movably coupled to the vehicle body. The second structure is pivotably coupled to the first structure about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The drive mechanism interconnects the first and second structures and is operable to pivot the second structure about the generally horizontal pivot axis.

Abstract: A motor vehicle for transporting passengers includes a body defining a passenger compartment, a first row of seats positioned within the passenger compartment, a second row of seats positioned within the passenger compartment rearward of the first row of seats, and a third row of seats positioned within said passenger compartment rearward of said second row of seats. The second and third rows of seats have seat backs and a seat bottoms. A first door is hingedly coupled to the vehicle for providing access to the first row of seats. A second door is positioned rearward and adjacent to the first door. The second door selectively encloses an opening formed in the body. The opening extends from a point forward of the seat bottom of the second row of seats to a point at least partially exposing the seat bottom of the third row of seats.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel has an exterior surface and an opposed bonding surface. The inner panel has an interior surface and an opposed mounting surface The mounting surface of the inner panel and the bonding surface of the outer panel are coupled at their periphery to form a shell. The shell defines a pocket. An electrical device may be positioned within the pocket and coupled to one of the inner and outer panels In one embodiment, a majority of the interior surface of the inner panel is exposed to the passenger compartment. In another embodiment, the inner panel includes an integrally molded wire to conduct electricity to the electrical device.

Abstract: A door includes a door shell coupled to a door module. The door shell includes an outer panel secured to an inner panel, the inner panel having an opening therein. The door shell defines a hollow cavity. The door module includes a cassette and an interior trim panel coupled to the cassette. The door module further includes an attachment mechanism for securing the door module to the door shell. The attachment mechanism is visually hidden during operation of the door. The inner panel is cooperative with the door module to provide a positive rest position for the door module prior to securing the door module to the door shell.

Abstract: A closure member assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle body that defines an aperture. The closure member assembly is positionable between a first position wherein the closure member assembly substantially closes the aperture and a second position wherein the closure member assembly substantially clears the aperture. The closure member assembly includes a first structure, a second structure and a drive mechanism. The first structure is movably coupled to the vehicle body. The second structure is pivotably coupled to the first structure about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The drive mechanism is coupled to one of the first and second structures and operable to pivot the second structure about the generally horizontal pivot axis.

Abstract: A vehicle door and a method for its fabrication. The vehicle door includes a lower door structure that is configured to be pivotally coupled to a vehicle body and which includes a hollow cavity. The vehicle door also includes an upper door structure having a frame that defines a window aperture. A window member and a window regulator mechanism are coupled to the upper door structure such that the window member is movably mounted within the window aperture. The window regulator mechanism is of type that is easily packaged into the vehicle door. Suitable alternatives include mechanisms that include powered lead screws, rack-and-pinion drives and/or cable-and-drum type mechanisms. The assembled upper door structure or cassette is thereafter coupled to the lower door structure to form the vehicle door.

Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle. The door assembly includes a frame structure and an intrusion structure. The frame structure includes an inner panel member and an outer panel member. The intrusion structure has an impact absorbing portion and is coupled to the frame structure such that the intrusion structure abuts an exterior surface of the outer panel member. A method for fabricating a vehicle door assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A closure member for a closing an aperture in a vehicle body. The closure member includes a frame structure and a seal member. The frame structure has an upper frame member that defines a window aperture. The seal member is formed onto at least a portion of the frame member and includes a body seal portion and a window seal portion. The body seal portion forms a seal between the vehicle body and at least a portion of the upper frame member. The window seal portion forms a seal between the at least a portion of the upper frame member and a window member that is movable relative to the frame structure. A method for forming a closure member is also provided.

Abstract: A closure member assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle body that defines an aperture. The closure member assembly is positionable between a first position wherein the closure member assembly substantially closes the aperture and a second position wherein the closure member assembly substantially clears the aperture. The closure member assembly includes a first structure, a second structure and a drive mechanism. The first structure is movably coupled to the vehicle body. The second structure is pivotably coupled to the first structure about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The drive mechanism is coupled to one of the first and second structures and operable in an actuated condition for pivoting the second structure about the generally horizontal pivot axis.

Abstract: A primary rack and a secondary rack are connected to each other and are independently rotatably about vertical and horizontal axes, respectively. One end of the primary rack is mounted via hinge assemblies to the rear corner of a body of the utility vehicle. The secondary rack rack is hingedly mounted to the primary rack. The secondary rack carries a hub over which the wheel of a spare tire can mounted and secured. The secondary rack can be rotated through approximately 180 degrees between a raised configuration in which the spare tire is elevated off of a road surface on which the vehicle rests and a lowered configuration in which the spare tire also rests on the road surface.

Abstract: A vehicle floor construction includes a primary floor panel having a portion defining an upwardly opening longitudinal rail channel. A secondary floor panel overlies an outboard portion of the primary floor panel and has a raised and curved inner section that partially encloses the rail channel except for an access slot defined between the primary and secondary floor panels. An upwardly opening rail is mounted in the rail channel. A wheeled truck is seated in the rail for longitudinal rolling movement therein. A seat support bracket connected to the truck has a portion which extends through the access slot defined between the primary and secondary floor panels. A resilient, compressible pad and a carpet panel overlie the secondary floor panel and extend above the primary floor panel a distance substantially equal to the height of the raised inner section of the secondary floor panel.

Abstract: An automobile body is provided with a transparent roof panel that slides rearwardly from a normal position in which it closes a roof opening of the body, to a retracted position in which it overlies a rear window of the body. A sunshade mounted below the transparent roof panel is automatically slid rearwardly into a stowed position adjacent a roll bar separating the roof opening and the rear window when the transparent roof is moved to its retracted position. When the transparent roof is in its normal position in which it closes the roof opening, the sunshade may be manually slid back and forth to overlap varying portions of the transparent roof panel.

Abstract: An automobile body is provided that has a front windshield, a rear window and a pair of side panels cooperatively defining a passenger compartment with a roof opening. A transparent roof panel having an area corresponding to that of the roof opening is mounted for generally translatory movement from a normal position in which it covers the roof opening to a retracted position in which the roof opening is uncovered. When the transparent roof panel is in its retracted position it lies either above or below the rear window so that a person seated in the passenger compartment can view in a rearward direction through both the rear window and the transparent roof panel.