Abstract: A tailgate assembly includes a frame subassembly for a tailgate. The frame subassembly has a first brace placed adjacent to a second brace to provide a connection beam with a hollow structural section. The assembly further includes a torsion rod and a torsion rod anchor. The torsion rod is at least partially disposed within the hollow structural section. The torsion rod anchor has a rod-receiving opening that receives an end portion of the torsion rod to anchor the end portion of the torsion rod.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a striker of a tailgate assembly, and a door subassembly of the tailgate assembly. The door subassembly has a latch configured to engage the striker to hold the door subassembly in a door closed position. The door subassembly has a notched area that receives the striker when the door subassembly is pivoted from a door open position to a door closed position. A material shield extends into the notched area when the door subassembly is in the door closed position.

Abstract: This disclosure details vehicle closure member systems that include integrated features for increasing the functionality of a closure member (e.g., a swing gate) of the system. A bottle opener feature may be integrated as part of a hinge assembly that movably mounts the closure member relative to a vehicle body. A bottle cap catch feature may be integrated as part of a trim piece that at least partially conceals portions of the hinge assembly, and the bottle cap catch feature may function to collect bottle caps that are dislodged by the bottle opener feature. The integrated bottle opener and bottle cap catch features are conveniently packaged on the vehicle for use during outdoor social gatherings when the closure member is moved to an open position during stationary, non-moving conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a hinge and a wire shield assembly mounted to the hinge. A method of shielding a wire can include providing a tailgate assembly that includes a door subassembly pivotably coupled to a frame subassembly. The door subassembly and the frame subassembly can be pivotable together between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position. The method can include pivoting the door subassembly relative to the frame subassembly to provide a cargo bed access opening; and electrically connecting the door subassembly using a wire routed through a wire shield assembly.

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. The door subassembly 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 tailgate assembly further includes an actuator system that can pivot the door subassembly and the frame subassembly together back-and-forth between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position.

Abstract: An assembly may include a body side bracket configured to be mounted to a body of a motor vehicle. The assembly may include a hinge arm rotatably mounted to the body side bracket, wherein the hinge arm is rotatable between a closed position and a fully open position. The assembly may further include a detent arm rotatably mounted to the body side bracket. Further, the assembly may include a cam mounted to the hinge arm and configured to travel along the detent arm with movement of the hinge arm. The cam and detent arm are configured to stop and hold the hinge arm in at least one intermediate position between the closed position and the fully open position.

Abstract: A tailgate subassembly alignment method includes positioning at least one panel support bracket of a frame subassembly relative to a connection member of the frame subassembly, and securing the at least one panel support bracket to the connection member when the at least one panel support bracket is in a preset position. After securing the at least one panel support bracket, the method includes securing a tailgate panel assembly to the at least one panel support bracket.

Abstract: Hinge systems are provided for movably mounting a door subassembly to a tailgate assembly of a motor vehicle. An exemplary hinge system may include an upper hinge assembly and a lower hinge assembly. Each hinge assembly may include a gooseneck bracket that establishes a load path through the respective hinge assembly. The load path through the upper hinge assembly may be configured differently than the load path through the lower hinge assembly. The gooseneck brackets may be reinforced along the load paths in order to transfer stress loads through the stiffest portions of the gooseneck brackets during door loading events.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly, includes a frame subassembly having a cargo bed access opening between a driver side section and a passenger side section, and a door subassembly that is pivotably coupled to the frame subassembly. The door subassembly 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. A latching system has a latch that engages a striker to hold the door subassembly in the door closed position. The tailgate assembly further includes an alignment system separate from the latching system. The alignment system includes an alignment post that is received within an alignment slot as the door subassembly is pivoted to the door closed position. The alignment post is configured to be received within the alignment slot to align the door subassembly relative to the frame subassembly prior to the latch contacting the striker.

Abstract: Vehicle systems for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly having a door subassembly may include deployable step systems, deployable lift panel systems, deployable cargo extender systems, etc. The vehicle systems may be either separate from or integrated with the door subassembly of the tailgate assembly. An exemplary vehicle system may include a deployable step that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position in order to present a step surface to a user for accessing the vehicle cargo space.

Abstract: The tailgate assembly method includes presetting a frame subassembly of a tailgate assembly relative to a vehicle structure; and presetting a door subassembly of the tailgate assembly relative to the frame subassembly. The frame subassembly can include a cargo bed access opening between a driver side section and a passenger side section. The door subassembly can be 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.

Abstract: Vehicle systems for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly having a door subassembly may include deployable step systems, deployable lift panel systems, deployable cargo extender systems, etc. The vehicle systems may be either separate from or integrated with the door subassembly of the tailgate assembly. An exemplary vehicle system may include a deployable step that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position in order to present a step surface to a user for accessing the vehicle cargo space.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a stake support bracket coupled to walls of a cargo bed of a vehicle such as a pick-up-bed truck for providing support to a stake of a standard size or a non-standard size. The stake support bracket includes a first panel, a second panel transverse to the first panel, and a third panel transverse to the second panel. The third panel includes a stake support opening. The stake support bracket further includes a first extension transverse to the third panel and extending away from the first panel and a second extension transverse to the first panel and extending away from the third panel. The stake support bracket provides support to the bottom and the sides of the stake and reduces probabilities of wobbling or pivoting of the stakes.

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: Vehicle systems for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly having a door subassembly may include deployable step systems, deployable lift panel systems, deployable cargo extender systems, etc. The vehicle systems may be either separate from or integrated with the door subassembly of the tailgate assembly. An exemplary vehicle system may include a deployable step that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position in order to present a step surface to a user for accessing the vehicle cargo space.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a stake support bracket coupled to walls of a cargo bed of a vehicle such as a pick-up-bed truck for providing support to a stake of a standard size or a non-standard size. The stake support bracket includes a first panel, a second panel transverse to the first panel, and a third panel transverse to the second panel. The third panel includes a stake support opening. The stake support bracket further includes a first extension transverse to the third panel and extending away from the first panel and a second extension transverse to the first panel and extending away from the third panel. The stake support bracket provides support to the bottom and the sides of the stake and reduces probabilities of wobbling or pivoting of the stakes.

Abstract: A vehicle including a passenger compartment having a roof support framework including a pair of roof rails, a header and at least one roof bow. A roof including several rigid removable roof panels is removably assembled to the roof support framework. Pins are removably assembled to the roof rails or to brackets attached to the roof rails that extend through the roof panels. A roof rack or cargo carrier is removably attached to upper ends of the pins and is spaced above the roof panels. A method of assembling a roof rack to a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pickup truck box assembly including a header, a truck bed, an upper header rail, and a toolbox is provided. The truck bed has a forward end supporting the header, a rear end having a tailgate pivotally mounted thereto, and a pair of wheel wells disposed on opposing sides of the truck bed. The upper header rail may be secured at an upper portion of the header. The toolbox may include an extruded body defining a channel extending laterally a width of the truck bed. A lower surface of the body may be spaced from the truck bed a distance greater than a height of the wheel wells. First and second body side panels may be mounted to the truck bed and arranged with the toolbox to define sidewalls of the toolbox. The upper header rail and the toolbox may be formed by extrusion as a single component.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes hinge and track assemblies that enable opening of the tailgate from a closed position to a horizontal open position and further to a vertical open position to enable comfortable access to items within the cargo bed.