Tailgate assembly

An assembly module configured for use in a tailgate assembly provided with a major gate and a minor gate, the major gate configured to rotate with respect to a vehicle body and the minor gate configured to rotate with respect the major gate, the assembly module comprising:

• a carrier plate configured to be fixed to an outer panel of the minor gate, the carrier plate including a main body having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface opposing the second surface;
• a deployable member pivotally coupled to the first surface of the carrier plate configured to rotate with respect to the carrier plate between a deployed position and a non-use position;
• a linear actuator fixed to the second surface of the carrier plate;
• a force-transmission member including a first end and a second end, the first end fixed to the deployable member;
• and
• a pivot bracket pivotally coupled to the second surface of the carrier plate and including a first leg and a second leg, the first leg connected to the force-transmission member and the second leg connected to the linear actuator.

A method of assembling a minor gate for use in a tailgate assembly, the tailgate assembly provided with a major gate and the minor gate, the major gate configured to rotate with respect to a vehicle body and the minor gate configured to rotate with respect to the major gate, the method comprising:

• forming a carrier plate configured to be fixed to an outer panel of the minor gate, the carrier plate including a main body having a first side and a second side, the first side opposing the second side;
• attaching at least one minor gate hinge to a first side of the carrier plate, the at least one minor gate hinge configured to be rotationally connected to the major gate;
• attaching at least one tailgate step assembly to the second side of the carrier plate, the tailgate step assembly including a tailgate step hinge and a platform configured to rotate with respect to the tailgate step hinge;
• inserting at least one vehicle accessory into one of a number of vehicle accessory apertures;
• attaching at least one drive mounting bracket to the first side of the carrier plate so that at least a portion of the drive mounting bracket covers the at least one vehicle accessory;
• attaching a pivot bracket to the at least one drive mounting bracket, the pivot bracket configured to pivot with respect to the at least one drive mounting bracket;
• attaching a spindle drive assembly to the drive mounting bracket and the pivot bracket;
• and
• operatively coupling the pivot bracket to the tailgate step assembly so that in response to actuation of the spindle drive assembly, the platform of the tailgate step assembly rotates about the tailgate step hinge.