Abstract: A winch is mounted in a pick-up truck bed having a floor, sidewalls, and a front wall. The sidewalls each include at least one receptacle that are each adapted to receive a connector. A frame includes a beam that is held spaced from the floor and extends in a transverse direction across the truck bed. The beam may be arcuate or straight and is connected to right and left connectors on right and left ends of the beam. The connectors may be connected directly to the receptacles or may be connected through right and left rails to the receptacles. The winch is attached to a winch mounting plate provided on the beam and is used to facilitate loading and unloading objects.

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 tailgate cover assembly may include a first panel having a beaded side and a flat side, and a first ledge extending from one end of the first panel, and a second panel having a beaded side and a flat side, and a second ledge extending from an end proximate to the first panel, the second ledge configured to overlap the first ledge to attach the first panel to the second panel wherein the flat side of the first panel aligns with the flat side of the second panel to form a tailgate cover having a beaded side and a flat side.

Abstract: This disclosure details tie down systems for securing cargo within vehicle cargo spaces. An exemplary tie down system may include a corner bracket mounted in a corner of the cargo space. The corner bracket may include a plurality of openings for tying down cargo at different heights within the cargo space.

Abstract: A vehicle flooring system including a floor. A flooring component is positioned above the floor to define a gap. A drain assembly is coupled with the flooring component which includes a plug having a one-way valve and defining a plug opening. A drain defines a drain aperture to accept the plug. The drain defines a drain opening in alignment with the gap.

Abstract: A tailgate for a motor vehicle is disclosed and includes an interior space accessible through a removable panel, a motor mounted within the interior space, and a drive mechanism driven by the motor for moving the tailgate about a pivot axis. The tailgate includes an overall height from the pivot axis and the motor is mounted a distance from the pivot axis.

Abstract: A disclosed accessory mount for a vehicle includes a housing with openings, at least one bearing, a lock cylinder movable within the housing and holding the at least one bearing in a locked position extending through the openings and a released position where the at least one bearing is not held within the openings, and a mount including a groove receiving the at least one bearing in the locked position.

Abstract: An article rack includes a base mountable to a top rail of a truck box, a carrier, and a linkage pivotally connected to the base and the carrier. A drive mechanism of the rack has a first wheel fixed to the base, a second wheel fixed to the carrier, and an endless loop trained around the wheels such that pivoting of the linkage about the base pivots the carrier about the linkage.

Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure includes, among other things, a roof structure, a bracket projecting from the roof structure, a roof panel configured to attach to the roof structure such that the bracket is beneath the roof panel, and an accessory configured to attach to the bracket. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed for a pick-up bed having a floor, and a front wall. The winch includes a winch motor and spool assembled to the truck body below the floor. An upper pulley is assembled to the front wall with a cable wound around the spool that is extendable and retractable from the spool. The cable is routed over the upper pulley through an opening defined by the front wall. The opening is spaced from the floor to facilitate loading articles into and unloading articles from the truck bed.

Abstract: A truck bed of a vehicle includes a sheet metal panel defining a drain opening, a mass damper plug disposed within the opening and including a mass casting having a predefined mass configured to tune a frequency of a sound wave of the panel and plug into a predefined range, and defining bolt threads, and a bolt engaged with the bolt threads and configured to secure the plug with the panel.

Abstract: A tailgate tie down system includes a first plate assembly and a second plate assembly. A strap is connected between each of the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly. In an exemplary method, the strap can be routed through at least one accessory tool before securing the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly within tailgate latch openings. Once the plate assemblies are locked within the latch openings, the accessory tool is also locked relative to the tailgate.

Abstract: A truck box cable assembly including a first standard interface plate (“SIP”), a reel assembly, and a second SIP is provided. The reel assembly includes a base for securing to the first SIP, a first lock portion, and a cable wound about a spool for extending and retracting. The second SIP is located on a truck box wall opposite a location of the first SIP and has a second lock portion to receive the first lock portion to selectively secure the cable. The base may include two components slidably mounted to one another to translate between a first position and a second position. Each of the two components may include a hook portion for grasping the first SIP in the first position for securing the base thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a bed and a tailgate. The bed has first and second side panels. The tailgate is rotatably secured to the bed along a horizontal axis and has a plurality of extruded sections that are arranged in a longitudinally extending chain. Each section extends laterally between the first and second side panels. Adjacent sections are secured to each other via hinges that rotate about axes that are substantially parallel to the horizontal axis.

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: An article rack includes a base mountable to a top rail of a truck box, a carrier, and a linkage pivotally connected to the base and the carrier. A drive mechanism of the rack has a first wheel fixed to the base, a second wheel fixed to the carrier, and an endless loop trained around the wheels such that pivoting of the linkage about the base pivots the carrier about the linkage.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a truck bed, tailgate, and cover. The tailgate is rotatably secured to the bed. The tailgate has internal and external panels secured to each other via a sidewall extending therebetween. The external panel defines an outer periphery. The sidewall and internal panel collectively form a first radius extending adjacent and internal to a corner of the periphery. The cover is secured to the tailgate and over the first radius.

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 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 winch is disclosed for a pick-up bed having a floor, and a front wall. The winch includes a winch motor and spool assembled to the truck body below the floor. An upper pulley is assembled to the front wall with a cable wound around the spool that is extendable and retractable from the spool. The cable is routed over the upper pulley through an opening defined by the front wall. The opening is spaced from the floor to facilitate loading articles into and unloading articles from the truck bed.