LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT ARRANGMENTS

A liftgate structure having a structural inner panel with an outside surface and an inner surface having a lower perimeter surface area extending across substantially the entire width of the structural inner panel. The structural inner panel includes a wiper motor housing recess formed on the inner surface. A plurality of brackets are connected to the outside surface of the structural inner panel, where each of the brackets has at least one friendly hole. The liftgate structure further includes a tether having 2 ends each having at least one over molded retainer for connecting the tether to a wiper motor housing positioned within the wiper motor housing recess of the structural inner panel. Additionally the tether is positioned through each of the at least one friendly holes of the plurality of brackets.