Vertically and horizontally split midgate assembly

A vehicle body having a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent the first compartment, the body comprising:

• a frame defining an opening between the first and second compartments, the opening including lower and upper portions;
• a window mounted to the frame to close the upper portion of the opening;
• a closure panel mounted to the frame and including first and second hinged panel sections each pivotable between an open position permitting access through first and second portions, respectively, of said lower portion of the opening, and a closed position closing said first and second portions, respectively, of said lower portion of the opening;
• wherein said second hinged panel section is positioned vertically above the first hinged panel section with a horizontal split therebetween, said first hinged panel section being pivotally connected to the frame about a first horizontal pivot axis and said first hinged panel section being pivotally connected to the second hinged panel section about a second horizontal pivot axis;
• and
• a crossbar mounted in the opening between the upper and lower portions, wherein the crossbar is removably mounted to the frame and pivotable with the closure panel to the open position.