Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle frame distinct from a vehicle body. The vehicle frame includes opposed longitudinal rails. Each rail includes a single, monolithic body having a central internal brace and a pair of opposed ends. One end of the opposed ends is fixed to a first side of the central internal brace and the other end of the opposed ends is fixed to a second side of the central internal brace that is opposite the first side.

Abstract: A method may secure a tailgate panel to a panel-carrying frame. A method may after securing the tailgate panel to the panel-carrying frame, secure a component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame. A method may after securing the component-carrying frame to the panel-carrying frame, secure one or more tailgate components to the component-carrying frame.

Abstract: A platform assembly for a cargo area of a vehicle includes a floor panel and a cover panel. The floor panel includes a main section slidable between a rest position in which the main section is substantially within the cargo area of the vehicle and an extended position in which the main section extends beyond the cargo area of the vehicle. An opening in the floor panel is exposed when the main section is in the extended position. The cover panel is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The cover panel is configured to cover the opening exposed in the floor panel when the main section is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A cargo bed extension system includes a tub of a cargo bed. The tub is configured to transition back-and-forth between a standard position and an extended position. The tub is closer to a cab of a vehicle when the tub is in the standard position than when the tub is in the extended position. A panel is oriented vertically when the tub is in the standard position and is oriented horizontally when the tub is in the extended position. The panel provides a floor section between the cab and the tub when the tub is in the extended position.

Abstract: The battery structure for an electric vehicle includes battery arrays. A first battery array includes first walls that are secured to each other to form a first unitized structure that is configured to house a first cell stack. One first wall of the first walls includes a first vertical portion, a first upper portion, and a first lower portion. A second battery array includes second walls that are secured to each other to form a second unitized structure that is configured to house a second cell stack. One second wall of the second walls includes a second vertical portion and a second upper portion. The second vertical portion is spaced apart from the first vertical portion. The second upper portion extends toward the first vertical portion from an upper end of the second vertical portion and is secured to the first upper portion of the first battery array.

Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle frame distinct from a vehicle body. The vehicle frame includes opposed longitudinal rails. Each rail includes a single, monolithic body having a central internal brace and a pair of opposed ends. One end of the opposed ends is fixed to a first side of the central internal brace and the other end of the opposed ends is fixed to a second side of the central internal brace that is opposite the first side.

Abstract: A platform assembly for a cargo area of a vehicle includes a floor panel and a cover panel. The floor panel includes a main section slidable between a rest position in which the main section is substantially within the cargo area of the vehicle and an extended position in which the main section extends beyond the cargo area of the vehicle. An opening in the floor panel is exposed when the main section is in the extended position. The cover panel is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The cover panel is configured to cover the opening exposed in the floor panel when the main section is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle includes a battery structure having a battery frame. The structural assembly includes a vehicle frame and a vehicle body. The vehicle frame has opposed longitudinal rails. The vehicle body is separate from and mounted on the vehicle frame. The vehicle body includes opposed rockers extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each opposed longitudinal rail is located between a respective rocker and the battery frame of the battery structure.

Abstract: Exemplary traction battery pack designs are disclosed for use in electrified vehicles. An exemplary traction battery pack may include an outer enclosure assembly that may house one or more battery arrays and/or other battery internal components. The outer enclosure assembly may include a tray having a mixed material or “hybrid” structure that provides a space efficient design. The tray may include a first subassembly made of a first material and a second subassembly made of a second, different material. The first subassembly may include a tub, and the second subassembly may include a heat exchanger plate. Central and perimeter joint strategies may be employed for securing the second subassembly relative to the first subassembly to provide the space efficient design.

Abstract: A cargo bed extension system includes a tub of a cargo bed. The tub is configured to transition back-and-forth between a standard position and an extended position. The tub is closer to a cab of a vehicle when the tub is in the standard position than when the tub is in the extended position. A panel is oriented vertically when the tub is in the standard position and is oriented horizontally when the tub is in the extended position. The panel provides a floor section between the cab and the tub when the tub is in the extended position.

Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle includes a battery structure having a battery frame. The structural assembly includes a vehicle frame and a vehicle body. The vehicle frame has opposed longitudinal rails. The vehicle body is separate from and mounted on the vehicle frame. The vehicle body includes opposed rockers extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each opposed longitudinal rail is located between a respective rocker and the battery frame of the battery structure.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a first component having a stand-off that provides a cavity. The stand-off protrudes from an insertion side of the first component. The stand-off includes at least one side wall that extends from a floor of the cavity to at least one outer surface of the stand-off. The assembly further includes a second component that contacts the first component at an interface. The cavity is configured to receive a mechanical fastener that joins the first component to the second component. A distance between the floor of the cavity and the interface is greater in some areas than in other areas such that a cross-sectional thickness at a bottom of the cavity is varied.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to extrusion for a vehicle component. The vehicle component includes a plurality of flanges that form a periphery of the vehicle component, a cavity that extends through the periphery of the vehicle component, a corner portion that is positioned proximate to a corner defined by a pair of the plurality of flanges, and a channel that is positioned proximate to the corner portion.

Abstract: A method of assembling a unibody vehicle includes securing a cab back panel of a cab back panel directly to an upturned flange of a cargo box floor. A unibody vehicle assembly according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cab back panel, a cargo box floor, and a passenger compartment floor. The cab back panel is secured directly to the cargo box floor. The cab back panel provides a back wall of a passenger cab and a front wall of a cargo area.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to extrusion for a vehicle component. The vehicle component includes a plurality of flanges that form a periphery of the vehicle component, a cavity that extends through the periphery of the vehicle component, a corner portion that is positioned proximate to a corner defined by a pair of the plurality of flanges, and a channel that is positioned proximate to the corner portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a rear sill assembly of a unibody vehicle. The unibody vehicle includes a floor assembly having a floor pan and a floor beam coupled to the floor pan, the floor beam having a floor channel. The unibody vehicle also includes a rear sill, and a coupling structure coupled to the rear sill. The coupling structure may include an outer periphery which is sized and shaped to be slideably coupleably received in the floor channel.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a support assembly for a box side step of a motor vehicle, such as a pickup truck. An example vehicle includes a cargo box including a side wall, a box side step, and a support assembly for the box side step including a base that does not project beyond an outer panel of the side wall.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a sleeve for repairing or reconstructing a frame rail of a motor vehicle. An exemplary repair sleeve includes a base wall, first and second side walls projecting from opposite sides of the base wall, and a sectioned wall including first and second sections spaced-apart from one another such that the two side walls are moveable relative to one another in a pre-installed condition.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a first component having a stand-off that provides a cavity. The stand-off protrudes from an insertion side of the first component. The stand-off includes at least one side wall that extends from a floor of the cavity to at least one outer surface of the stand-off. The assembly further includes a second component that contacts the first component at an interface. The cavity is configured to receive a mechanical fastener that joins the first component to the second component. A distance between the floor of the cavity and the interface is greater in some areas than in other areas such that a cross-sectional thickness at a bottom of the cavity is varied.

Abstract: A structural assembly for a pickup truck sidewall includes, among other things, a C-pillar, a belt rail extending rearward from the C-pillar, and a truss spanning from the belt rail to the C-pillar. A method of structurally supporting a sidewall of a pickup truck includes the steps of securing a first end portion of a truss to a belt rail that extends rearward from a C-pillar of the pickup truck, and securing an opposite, second end portion of the truss to a C-pillar.