Abstract: An electric vehicle frame strut tower to body structure interface bracket is disclosed. An example electric vehicle disclosed herein includes a frame, a battery pack supported by the frame, a body coupled to the frame, a strut tower coupled to the frame to support the body and absorb road surface impacts on the electric vehicle, and a strut tower interface bracket to couple the strut tower to the body.

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: An electric vehicle frame strut tower to body structure interface bracket is disclosed. An example electric vehicle disclosed herein includes a frame, a battery pack supported by the frame, a body coupled to the frame, a strut tower coupled to the frame to support the body and absorb road surface impacts on the electric vehicle, and a strut tower interface bracket to couple the strut tower to the body.

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.

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: This disclosure details exemplary pillar-to-box rail-to-cab back structural joints for unibody vehicles. An exemplary structural joint of a unibody vehicle may include a pillar assembly and a box rail assembly that intersects the pillar assembly and extends continuously up to a door opening flange of the pillar assembly. The pillar assembly and box rail assembly may establish a beam-to-beam connection of the structural joint. A cab back assembly may be secured relative to the pillar assembly and the box rail assembly to establish a third portion of the structural joint. Various spot welds may be provided for joining the various components of the structural joint.

Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary pillar-to-box rail-to-cab back structural joints for unibody vehicles. An exemplary structural joint of a unibody vehicle may include a pillar assembly and a box rail assembly that intersects the pillar assembly and extends continuously up to a door opening flange of the pillar assembly. The pillar assembly and box rail assembly may establish a beam-to-beam connection of the structural joint. A cab back assembly may be secured relative to the pillar assembly and the box rail assembly to establish a third portion of the structural joint. Various spot welds may be provided for joining the various components of the structural joint.

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.

Abstract: A chassis brace includes a body having a first end and a second end, a chassis structure abutment at the first end and a body structure abutment at the second end. Together, the chassis brace, the chassis component secured the chassis structure abutment of the chassis brace and the body component secured to the body structure abutment of the chassis brace form a small offset rigid barrier reinforcement assembly. A method of reinforcing a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A chassis brace includes a body having a first end and a second end, a chassis structure abutment at the first end and a body structure abutment at the second end. Together, the chassis brace, the chassis component secured the chassis structure abutment of the chassis brace and the body component secured to the body structure abutment of the chassis brace form a small offset rigid barrier reinforcement assembly. A method of reinforcing a vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a cabin portion, a bed portion, and an air extractor. The cabin portion defines a passenger cabin and includes a hollow pillar having an opening to the passenger cabin. The bed portion defines a bed and includes a hollow frame rail elongated from the pillar. The pillar and the frame rail define an airflow path from the opening. The air extractor is positioned in the frame rail and is in communication with the airflow path and an ambient environment.

Abstract: A vehicle body includes a cabin portion, a bed portion, and an air extractor. The cabin portion defines a passenger cabin and includes a hollow pillar having an opening to the passenger cabin. The bed portion defines a bed and includes a hollow frame rail elongated from the pillar. The pillar and the frame rail define an airflow path from the opening. The air extractor is positioned in the frame rail and is in communication with the airflow path and an ambient environment.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a first member including a first side and a second side. The vehicle assembly includes a coupler extending from the first side to the second side, the first side and the second side being crimped to the coupler. The vehicle assembly includes a second member and a fastener fastening the first member and the second member to the coupler.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a first member including a first side and a second side. The vehicle assembly includes a coupler extending from the first side to the second side, the first side and the second side being crimped to the coupler. The vehicle assembly includes a second member and a fastener fastening the first member and the second member to the coupler.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a side view mirror housing mountable to a vehicle exterior. A first LIDAR sensor is disposed in the side view mirror housing, has a first field of view, and is pointed in a first direction. A second LIDAR sensor is disposed in the side view mirror housing, has a second field of view, and is pointed in a second direction opposite the first direction. A camera is also disposed in the side view mirror housing, and the camera is spaced from the second LIDAR sensor. The camera has a third field of view and is pointed in the second direction.

Abstract: Various approaches for forming holes onto a sheet-metal assembly are described. In one implementation, a sheet-metal assembly is received through a conveyor system within a manufacturing cell. Once received, the type of sheet-metal assembly is identified based on associated information. Corresponding to the identified sheet-metal assembly, a set of position coordinates corresponding to one or more points on the sheet-metal assembly are obtained. Subsequently, a work-performing apparatus may be used for forming holes onto the sheet-metal assembly, at one or more points on the sheet-metal assembly.

Abstract: An outer panel is provided for a motor vehicle. That outer panel includes an outer panel body made from a non-ferromagnetic material and a ferromagnetic element connected to an inner surface of the outer panel body. The ferromagnetic element serves as a magnetic attachment point through the outer panel body for a magnetic accessory on the outer panel body of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a vehicle tailgate includes a base, a first attachment member, a second attachment member and a ramp. The first attachment member and second attachment member are spaced apart from each other and extend from the base. The ramp is irremovably secured to the base. The attachment members are configured to be received in a latch of the vehicle tailgate.

Abstract: A method of varying vehicle width on a single platform includes providing a plurality of vehicles, where each vehicle includes a side sill extending longitudinally along a lower portion of a vehicle body. The side sill defines a door opening interface on each opposing side of the vehicle body. Each of the plurality of vehicles also includes a floor panel extending laterally across a width of each vehicle. The floor panel is joined at a lateral edge to the side sill. The method also includes maintaining a common lateral position of the joint between the floor panel and the side sill across each of the plurality of vehicles. The method further includes positioning the door opening interface at first lateral position corresponding to a first one of the plurality of vehicles and at a second lateral position corresponding to a second one of the plurality of vehicles.

Abstract: A method of varying vehicle width on a single platform includes providing a plurality of vehicles, where each vehicle includes a side sill extending longitudinally along a lower portion of a vehicle body. The side sill defines a door opening interface on each opposing side of the vehicle body. Each of the plurality of vehicles also includes a floor panel extending laterally across a width of each vehicle. The floor panel is joined at a lateral edge to the side sill. The method also includes maintaining a common lateral position of the joint between the floor panel and the side sill across each of the plurality of vehicles. The method further includes positioning the door opening interface at first lateral position corresponding to a first one of the plurality of vehicles and at a second lateral position corresponding to a second one of the plurality of vehicles.