Abstract: A workpiece support is provided for a pickup truck tailgate. The tailgate includes a retractable step including a pair of step support members. The attachment brackets include a workpiece support bar and a riser that are attached to the step support members and to each other at a right angle. The workpiece support bar and riser may be fixedly attached to each other or attached by a pivot connector. Detachable connectors are provided to connect a workpiece support bar and riser detachably to the step support members.

Abstract: A workpiece support is provided for a pickup truck tailgate. The tailgate includes a retractable step including a pair of step support members. The attachment brackets include a workpiece support bar and a riser that are attached to the step support members and to each other at a right angle. The workpiece support bar and riser may be fixedly attached to each other or attached by a pivot connector. Detachable connectors are provided to connect a workpiece support bar and riser detachably to the step support members.

Abstract: A workpiece support is provided for a pickup truck tailgate. The tailgate includes a retractable step including a pair of step support members. The attachment brackets include a workpiece support bar and a riser that are attached to the step support members and to each other at a right angle. The workpiece support bar and riser may be fixedly attached to each other or attached by a pivot connector. Detachable connectors are provided to connect a workpiece support bar and riser detachably to the step support members.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus is disclosed for a pick-up truck bed that includes a cleat having a base portion adapted to be attached to the pick-up truck bed and a loop portion defining an opening for receiving an elongated strand threaded through the opening. A neck portion is provided between the base portion and the loop portion that is adapted to be wrapped by the strand. A hook-shaped flange has a first portion extending normal relative to the loop portion and a second portion partially overlying and spaced from the loop portion. Teeth may be provided on the loop portion directly or on two triangular protrusions. A clamping jaw may also be used to positively grip the strand.

Abstract: A pickup truck box assembly includes a truck bed, an inner side panel, and a D-pillar. The truck bed is secured on a rear edge to a rear cross-member. The inner side panel is mounted to the truck bed. The D-pillar includes an inner part secured to the cross-member and inner side panel, and an outer part secured to the inner part and disposed between an outer side panel and the inner part. The D-pillar inner part includes a U-shaped portion and a first flange extending rearward substantially ninety degrees from the U-shaped portion in a plane substantially parallel to the side panel and a second flange extending from the U-shaped portion outboard of the inner side panel.

Abstract: A vehicle including a bed, and a tailgate, pivotally attached to the vehicle to close off a rear end of the bed, the tailgate having a front surface and a side with a pull tab recess. A check strap has a forward end attached to the bed and a rearward end; and an extension bracket has an extension plate pivotally connecting at a forward end to the rearward end of the check strap, a rear fastener pivotally securing the extension plate to the side of the tailgate, a pull tab extending through the extension plate and laterally slidable out of the pull tab recess, the extension plate extending essentially parallel to the front surface when the pull tab is received in the pull tab recess.

Abstract: A pickup truck that includes a bed having a side wall with an electric panel; and a lockbox having walls secured to, extending laterally from the side wall and surrounding the electric panel, and a security panel pivotally mounted on the walls to enclose the electric panel within the lockbox. The lockbox may also include a divider pivotally mounted to the walls inboard of the security panel and movable between a closed position extending longitudinally adjacent to the security panel and an open position extending laterally into the bed. A lock may secure the divider to the walls.

Abstract: A pickup truck that includes a bed having a side wall with an electric panel; and a lockbox having walls secured to, extending laterally from the side wall and surrounding the electric panel, and a security panel pivotally mounted on the walls to enclose the electric panel within the lockbox. The lockbox may also include a divider pivotally mounted to the walls inboard of the security panel and movable between a closed position extending longitudinally adjacent to the security panel and an open position extending laterally into the bed. A lock may secure the divider to the walls.

Abstract: A vehicle including a bed, and a tailgate, pivotally attached to the vehicle to close off a rear end of the bed, the tailgate having a front surface and a side with a pull tab recess. A check strap has a forward end attached to the bed and a rearward end; and an extension bracket has an extension plate pivotally connecting at a forward end to the rearward end of the check strap, a rear fastener pivotally securing the extension plate to the side of the tailgate, a pull tab extending through the extension plate and laterally slidable out of the pull tab recess, the extension plate extending essentially parallel to the front surface when the pull tab is received in the pull tab recess.

Abstract: A bed for a pickup truck includes a floor, at least two sidewalls extending perpendicular to the floor on opposite sides of the floor, a headboard connected to and disposed between the sidewalls, a mount and a plate. The mount has a base including a face defining a plurality of holes, extending across the headboard. The mount is attached to the at least two sidewalls at a first and second end of the base. The plate is configured to support a winch on the base of the mount. The plate includes a bracket to slide on the face and is configured to secure the plate at any of the plurality of holes on the face between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A tailgate includes an opening through a rear end of the tailgate when in a tailgate open position. The tailgate also includes a tailgate extender having support tubes extending through the opening and telescopically slidable outward from the tailgate, a laterally extending support beam supported by the support tubes, and a cargo-assist step pivotally mounted to the support beam, the cargo-assist step configured to pivot downwardly when the support tubes are pivoted downwardly to define a step and to pivot upwardly into a vertical position when the support tubes extend horizontally to define a cargo stop.

Abstract: A tailgate includes an internal panel, external panel, upper panel, lower panel, latching mechanism, and access panel. 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 latching mechanism is disposed within the cavity and is linked to a handle located on the external panel. The access panel is secured and extends adjacent to the internal panel beyond the upper panel. The cavity is exposed when the access panel is removed.

Abstract: A tie-down assembly for a pick-up truck bed that includes a cleat including a base having first and second feet defining first and second fastener receiving holes, a body portion extending from an outer side of the feet, and first and second arms extending from the body portion that are spaced from the feet and define tie-down holes. Fasteners inserted into the first and second fastener holes secure the cleat to the pick-up truck bed. A method of making a tie-down cleat for a pick-up truck bed by extruding an elongated bar having a pair of feet portions connected by a body portion to a pair of arm portions. The elongated bar is cut into a plurality of planar cleat blanks and the cleat blanks are drilled to form fastener holes in the feet portions and tie-down holes in the arm portions.

Abstract: A pickup truck box assembly includes a truck bed, an inner side panel, and a D-pillar. The truck bed is secured on a rear edge to a rear cross-member. The inner side panel is mounted to the truck bed. The D-pillar includes an inner part secured to the cross-member and inner side panel, and an outer part secured to the inner part and disposed between an outer side panel and the inner part. The D-pillar inner part includes a U-shaped portion and a first flange extending rearward substantially ninety degrees from the U-shaped portion in a plane substantially parallel to the side panel and a second flange extending from the U-shaped portion outboard of the inner side panel.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus is disclosed for a pick-up truck bed that includes a cleat having a base portion adapted to be attached to the pick-up truck bed and a loop portion defining an opening for receiving an elongated strand threaded through the opening. A neck portion is provided between the base portion and the loop portion that is adapted to be wrapped by the strand. A hook-shaped flange has a first portion extending normal relative to the loop portion and a second portion partially overlying and spaced from the loop portion. Teeth may be provided on the loop portion directly or on two triangular protrusions. A clamping jaw may also be used to positively grip the strand.

Abstract: A pickup truck box assembly includes a truck bed, an inner side panel, and a D-pillar. The truck bed is secured on a rear edge to a rear cross-member. The inner side panel is mounted to the truck bed. The D-pillar includes an inner part secured to the cross-member and inner side panel, and an outer part secured to the inner part and disposed between an outer side panel and the inner part. The D-pillar inner part includes a U-shaped portion and a first flange extending rearward substantially ninety degrees from the U-shaped portion in a plane substantially parallel to the side panel and a second flange extending from the U-shaped portion outboard of the inner side panel.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus is disclosed for a pick-up truck bed that includes a cleat having a base portion adapted to be attached to the pick-up truck bed and a loop portion defining an opening for receiving an elongated strand threaded through the opening. A neck portion is provided between the base portion and the loop portion that is adapted to be wrapped by the strand. A hook-shaped flange has a first portion extending normal relative to the loop portion and a second portion partially overlying and spaced from the loop portion. Teeth may be provided on the loop portion directly or on two triangular protrusions. A clamping jaw may also be used to positively grip the strand.

Abstract: A workpiece support is provided for a pickup truck tailgate. The tailgate includes a retractable step including a pair of step support members. The attachment brackets include a workpiece support bar and a riser that are attached to the step support members and to each other at a right angle. The workpiece support bar and riser may be fixedly attached to each other or attached by a pivot connector. Detachable connectors are provided to connect a workpiece support bar and riser detachably to the step support members.

Abstract: A tailgate pivotally mountable to a vehicle includes a tailgate body comprising first and second sidewalls, and a strainer disposed between the first and second walls and extending in a longitudinal orientation. The tailgate further includes a stake pocket disposed between the first and second sidewalls and extending substantially orthogonal to the strainer. The stake pocket includes a channel body defining an interior channel.

Abstract: A workpiece support is provided for a pickup truck tailgate. The tailgate includes a retractable step including a pair of step support members. The attachment brackets include a workpiece support bar and a riser that are attached to the step support members and to each other at a right angle. The workpiece support bar and riser may be fixedly attached to each other or attached by a pivot connector. Detachable connectors are provided to connect a workpiece support bar and riser detachably to the step support members.