Abstract: Adjustable mount apparatus for use with vehicles and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a mount for a vehicle. The mount has a first portion to receive an object to be carried by the mount and a second portion that is pivotably coupled to the first portion. The second portion is to slidably couple to a right or left side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An end cap for a gas assist strut according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body providing a socket, a spring clip having ends projecting into the socket, and a lever. The lever is arranged such that application of pressure to the lever draws the ends of the spring away from one another. This disclosure also relates to a motor vehicle including the subject end cap. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Adjustable mount apparatus for use with vehicles and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a mount for a vehicle. The mount has a first portion to receive an object to be carried by the mount and a second portion that is pivotably coupled to the first portion. The second portion is to slidably couple to a right or left side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mechanical force gauge assembly includes a bracket, a housing, a hand member, a spring, a first ring, and a plunger. The bracket is for mounting to a vehicle frame. The housing is mounted to the bracket and defines a cavity and a housing cutout. The hand member is sized for disposal and translation within the cavity and defines an extension sized to extend through the housing cutout. The spring is disposed within the housing to bias movement of the hand member. The first ring is external to the housing and arranged with the extension to move in a first direction therewith. The plunger receives a force from a vehicle component secured to the vehicle frame. The plunger is arranged with the hand member such that the first ring moves to provide a force measurement reflective of the force received by the plunger.

Abstract: An active anti-flutter system is provided for a motor vehicle. That active anti-flutter system includes an electromagnet on a first component, a ferromagnetic target on a second component and a controller. The controller is configured to energize the electromagnet to generate a magnetic flux that attracts the ferromagnetic target toward the electromagnet thereby reducing vibration of one of the first component and the second component. A method of reducing flutter of a closure panel on a motor vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a hood that is rotatably secured to a vehicle body. The hood has an upper panel, a lower panel, and a reinforcement member disposed therebetween. The reinforcement member has a baseplate and a tab. The baseplate is secured to an internal surface of the lower panel. The tab has a proximal end that is secured to the baseplate and a distal end that extends away from the baseplate and is secured to an internal surface of the upper panel.

Abstract: A mechanical force gauge assembly includes a bracket, a housing, a hand member, a spring, a first ring, and a plunger. The bracket is for mounting to a vehicle frame. The housing is mounted to the bracket and defines a cavity and a housing cutout. The hand member is sized for disposal and translation within the cavity and defines an extension sized to extend through the housing cutout. The spring is disposed within the housing to bias movement of the hand member. The first ring is external to the housing and arranged with the extension to move in a first direction therewith. The plunger receives a force from a vehicle component secured to the vehicle frame. The plunger is arranged with the hand member such that the first ring moves to provide a force measurement reflective of the force received by the plunger.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a hood of a vehicle open during e-coat application and painting. The apparatus includes a support incorporating first and second pairs of legs attached to spaced locations on right and left sides of an engine compartment. The two pairs of legs are connected at an upper portion of the legs. A hood support bar is connected to the upper portion of both the first and second pairs of legs and extends transversely across the engine compartment. A hood striker receiving bracket may be provided on the hood support bar. The apparatus is adjustable to position the hood striker receiving bracket in a range of vertical, transverse and longitudinal locations. The adjustability of the apparatus provides a flexible hood support that reduces thermal distortion or sag due to thermal load.

Abstract: A hood bumper for a vehicle includes a foundation, a pair of legs extending from the foundation in a first direction, a support extending from the foundation in a second direction, and a head adhered to the support. At least a portion of the support is a first material and the head is a second material such that the first material is harder than the second material. The support includes first and second portions extending between the foundation and the head which are mirror images. The head is designed to deform and the support is designed to collapse under force. In alternate embodiments, the foundation and/or support are designed to fracture under force. The hood bumper is coextruded so the base and head have fixed heights and cross sections.

Abstract: A hood bumper for a vehicle includes a foundation, a pair of legs extending from the foundation in a first direction, a support extending from the foundation in a second direction, and a head adhered to the support. At least a portion of the support is a first material and the head is a second material such that the first material is harder than the second material. The support includes first and second portions extending between the foundation and the head which are mirror images. The head is designed to deform and the support is designed to collapse under force. In alternate embodiments, the foundation and/or support are designed to fracture under force. The hood bumper is coextruded so the base and head have fixed heights and cross sections.

Abstract: A solar-activated body panel for a vehicle includes outer and inner panels with an internal cavity defined therebetween. The internal cavity includes first and second portions that correspond to first and second heat gain portions, respectively, on the outer surface, wherein the first heat gain portion retains solar energy at a first heat gain rate and the second heat gain portion retains solar energy at a second heat gain rate, the first heat gain rate being greater than the second heat gain rate. A thermal material is disposed on the outer surface, wherein when solar energy is radiated onto the outer surface, the first heat gain portion absorbs heat at the first heat gain rate and, in turn emits heat to the thermal material to alter the thermal material and define a predetermined indicia on the outer surface and within the thermal material.

Abstract: A vehicle hood includes an outer hood member, an inner hood member attached to an under side of the outer hood member and defining at least one fold-initiating opening through the inner hood member and a plurality of structural reinforcements defined by the inner hood member, wherein the at least one fold-initiating opening is positioned distal from each of the plurality of structural reinforcements.

Abstract: A vehicle hood includes an outer hood member, an inner hood member attached to an under side of the outer hood member and defining at least one fold-initiating opening through the inner hood member and a plurality of structural reinforcements defined by the inner hood member, wherein the at least one fold-initiating opening is positioned distal from each of the plurality of structural reinforcements.