Three structural components meet at a structural node for a motor vehicle bodywork. The structural components are fitted together from at least one outer part and one an inner part in each case. A reinforcement part is arranged in a hollow space formed in one of the structural components and is fixed to the inner part of at least a first structural part and the outer part of at least a second structural part.

Three structural components meet at a structural node for a motor vehicle bodywork. The structural components are fitted together from at least one outer part and one an inner part in each case. A reinforcement part is arranged in a hollow space formed in one of the structural components and is fixed to the inner part of at least a first structural part and the outer part of at least a second structural part.

A recreational off-highway vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis that is approximately 50 inches wide. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll cage. Grab handles are positioned on the sides of the passenger seat. Select large round tubing protects the vehicle, while rectangular tubing frames the portions of the vehicle beneath body panels. The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that is connected to a transaxle. The engine and transaxle are isolation mounted together with a portion of the air intake assembly. The vehicle is suited for rough terrain travel.

A utility vehicle includes a frame having a front section, a midsection, and a rear section, the frame defining a cab rearward of the front section. The utility vehicle further includes a plurality of body panels including a hood, a first side panel, and a second side panel coupled to the front section of the frame. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground engaging members. A cooling assembly of the utility vehicle is fluidly coupled to the engine and supported on a top surface of the front section of the frame. The cooling assembly is angled relative to the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from a line of sight extending from the cab.

A vehicle BIW sub-assembly comprising two or more structural members each having at least one engaging portion. The engaging portions of at least two of the structural members being connected to each other by a node unit formed of two or more shell members assembled with each other. The node unit having at least two designated sockets, each snugly receiving one engaging portion of one of the structural members, wherein at least one of said designated sockets is an interior socket formed between the two or more shell members.

A framework structure of a body-on-frame vehicle, the framework structure comprises a first framework, a second framework, and a battery. The first framework includes: a pair of left and right side rails extending in a vehicle body front-and-rear direction, a first cross-member and a second cross-member, both extending in a vehicle body left-and-right direction and linking the side rails. The second framework is structured in a rectangular shape in plan view and includes: a front cross portion and a rear cross portion that are formed in chamber shapes and extend in the vehicle body left-and-right direction, and a left side cross portion and a right side cross portion that are formed in chamber shapes and extend in the vehicle body front-and-rear direction. The battery is disposed in a cavity surrounded by the first framework and the second framework.

A vehicle frame may comprise a plurality of interlocking tab and slot frame members forming a three-dimensional structure. A custom vehicle frame construction may be specified, designed and built based on a purchaser's selection. The three-dimensional structure may comprise a tab and slot panel to which additional tab and slot frame members are attached. The tab and slot frame members may have an attachment device disposed thereon for attachment of a vehicle component selected by the purchaser of the vehicle frame.

A recreational off-highway vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis that is approximately 50 inches wide. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll cage. Grab handles are positioned on the sides of the passenger seat. Select large round tubing protects the vehicle, while rectangular tubing frames the portions of the vehicle beneath body panels. The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that is connected to a transaxle. The engine and transaxle are isolation mounted together with a portion of the air intake assembly. The vehicle is suited for rough terrain travel.

A vehicle frame assembly has a first frame member defining a first frame member axis and a slot and having a first frame member connection portion adjacent the slot. A second frame member defining a second frame member axis has a projection and a second frame member connection portion adjacent thereto. The projection is received in the slot. The first frame member connection portion is connected to the second frame member connection portion to form a connection region in which the second frame member axis is disposed at a non-zero angle to the first frame member axis in the connection region. The method of assembling the frame includes inserting the projection into the slot, contacting the connection portions to each other to form the connection region with the members being positioned for connection with their axes disposed at a non-zero angle to each other, and connecting the connection portions.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to passenger or cargo vans. Features include the structure and assembly process using a framing structure which defines and supports a rearward compartment. In certain embodiments, the framing structure can be formed as modular subpanels which can be easily assembled while also providing superior strength and weight characteristics. In certain embodiments, specialized joints are arranged to connect the subpanels. Exterior shell portions and optionally windows can be mounted to the framing structure to form a rearward compartment.