A liftgate/tailgate assembly for a vehicle having a chassis and a cargo area,
such
cargo area comprising a bed and one or more vertical sidewalls mounted to the vehicle
chassis, such liftgate/tailgate assembly comprising a tailgate which, when rotated
into an open tailgate position, forms a liftgate/tailgate platform to support a
load to be lifted, and one or more linkage assemblies pivotably mounted to the
tailgate which permit the liftgate/tailgate platform to be translated both vertically
and horizontally relative to the cargo area of the vehicle, while permitting rear
impact protection to be mounted on the vehicle and method for lifting a load into
a vehicle cargo area.
