Patent ID: 6431630
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A method of forming a tailgate assembly for a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:forming an outer panel assembly including an outer planar vertical panel having an inboard face and an outboard face and attachment means; forming an inner panel module including an inner panel member having a planar vertical portion including an inboard face and an outboard face, latch devices positioned proximate opposite side edges of the planar vertical portion and secured to the inboard face of the planar vertical portion, a handle assembly mounted on the inner panel member proximate the inboard face thereof, linkage means operatively interconnecting the handle assembly and the latch devices, and attachment means configured for coaction with the outer panel assembly attachment means; positioning the inboard face of the outer panel proximate the inboard face of the planar vertical portion of the inner panel member to position the latch devices, and assembly, and linkage means between the outer panel and the planar vertical portion of the inner panel member; and attaching the inner panel module to the outer panel assembly utilizing the coacting attachment means to define a completed tailgate assembly having spaced inner and outer panels with the latch devices positioned at opposite sides of the tailgate assembly and the linkage means positioned between the inner and outer planar panels.