A cast wheel having an alloy substrate includes a primary surface and a secondary surface. A first polymeric coating is applied to the primary surface and to the secondary surface sealing the cast alloy wheel within the first polymeric coating. An intermediate polymeric coating is applied over the first polymeric coating. The intermediate polymeric coating is coated with metal using physical vapor deposition with the metal being aesthetically distinguishable from the first polymeric coating. A third polymeric coating is applied over the metal. The third polymeric coating, the intermediate coating and the metal from the primary surface of the cast alloy wheel are removed aesthetically distinguishing the primary surface from the secondary surface. A fourth polymeric coating is applied over the primary surface and the secondary surface.

A cast wheel having an alloy substrate includes a primary surface and a secondary surface. A first polymeric coating is applied to the primary surface and to the secondary surface sealing the cast alloy wheel within the first polymeric coating. An intermediate polymeric coating is applied over the first polymeric coating. The intermediate polymeric coating is coated with metal using physical vapor deposition with the metal being aesthetically distinguishable from the first polymeric coating. A third polymeric coating is applied over the metal. The third polymeric coating, the intermediate coating and the metal from the primary surface of the cast alloy wheel are removed aesthetically distinguishing the primary surface from the secondary surface. A fourth polymeric coating is applied over the primary surface and the secondary surface.

A rod-end front suspension is provided for an off-road vehicle. The rod-end front suspension comprises a spindle assembly that is pivotally coupled with an upper suspension arm by way of a first rod-end joint and pivotally coupled with a lower suspension arm by way of a second rod-end joint. A steering rod-end joint coupled with the spindle assembly pivotally receives a steering rod. An axle assembly coupled with the spindle assembly conducts torque from a transaxle to a wheel coupled with the spindle assembly. Each of the first and second rod-end joints comprises a ball rotatably retained within a casing. The ball is fastened within a recess between parallel prongs extending from the spindle assembly. A threaded shank extending from the casing is threadably fixated with the suspension arm, such that the spindle assembly may be moved with respect to the casing and the suspension arm.

A full face fabricated euroflange or non-euroflange vehicle wheel including a rim and a disc. The rim defines a central axis of the wheel and includes an inboard retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, an outboard tire bead seat, and a well located between the inboard and outboard tire bead seats. The rim further includes an outboard flange, wherein the outboard flange is outwardly turned and extends in a radially outwardly direction away from the central axis. The disc has a central hub mounting portion including a hub hole located about the central axis and a plurality of lug bolt receiving holes circumferentially spaced about the hub hole. A mounting area is formed at an outer end of the disc. The mounting area defines a region of reduced thickness at the outer end relative to a thickness of the disc directly adjacent to the outer end, wherein the outboard flange of the rim is configured to be disposed within the mounting area of the disc and secured thereto.

A full face fabricated euroflange or non-euroflange vehicle wheel including a rim and a disc. The rim defines a central axis of the wheel and includes an inboard retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, an outboard tire bead seat, and a well located between the inboard and outboard tire bead seats. The rim further includes an outboard flange, wherein the outboard flange is outwardly turned and extends in a radially outwardly direction away from the central axis. The disc has a central hub mounting portion including a hub hole located about the central axis and a plurality of lug bolt receiving holes circumferentially spaced about the hub hole. A mounting area is formed at an outer end of the disc. The mounting area defines a region of reduced thickness at the outer end relative to a thickness of the disc directly adjacent to the outer end, wherein the outboard flange of the rim is configured to be disposed within the mounting area of the disc and secured thereto.

A two-piece wheel may have a first section and a second section. The wheel has areas of varying diameter across its width, and the first section and second section are joined at the area of the wheel with the smallest diameter. The first section can be a spoke section with spokes extending from a central hub and the second section can be a barrel section.

To show an electromagnetic induction heating apparatus in which an object to be heated such as a half-finished light alloy wheel can be heated efficiently to have a predetermined temperature in a short time. An electromagnetic induction heating apparatus 1 includes a rotating body 2 with a plurality of magnets 21 arranged such that the same pole is positioned on the side of an object to be heated 8 and a rotation driving motor 3 for rotating the rotating body 2, in which the object to be heated 8 is heated by an induced current generated when the rotating body 2 is rotated. By controlling the distance D between the magnets 21 of the rotating body 2 and the object to be heated 8 with a moving motor 6, a light alloy wheel or the like, which has a high thermal expansion coefficient, can be well-heated efficiently.

To show an electromagnetic induction heating apparatus in which an object to be heated such as a half-finished light alloy wheel can be heated efficiently to have a predetermined temperature in a short time. An electromagnetic induction heating apparatus 1 includes a rotating body 2 with a plurality of magnets 21 arranged such that the same pole is positioned on the side of an object to be heated 8 and a rotation driving motor 3 for rotating the rotating body 2, in which the object to be heated 8 is heated by an induced current generated when the rotating body 2 is rotated. By controlling the distance D between the magnets 21 of the rotating body 2 and the object to be heated 8 with a moving motor 6, a light alloy wheel or the like, which has a high thermal expansion coefficient, can be well-heated efficiently.

A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

A rod-end front suspension is provided for an off-road vehicle. The rod-end front suspension comprises a spindle assembly that is pivotally coupled with an upper suspension arm by way of a first rod-end joint and pivotally coupled with a lower suspension arm by way of a second rod-end joint. A steering rod-end joint coupled with the spindle assembly pivotally receives a steering rod. An axle assembly coupled with the spindle assembly conducts torque from a transaxle to a wheel coupled with the spindle assembly. Each of the first and second rod-end joints comprises a ball rotatably retained within a casing. The ball is fastened within a recess between parallel prongs extending from the spindle assembly. A threaded shank extending from the casing is threadably fixated with the suspension arm, such that the spindle assembly may be moved with respect to the casing and the suspension arm.