A vehicle chassis including a vehicle frame defining an inner space and being operable to switch between a first expanded state and a collapsed state, and a loading device mounted to the inner space and removably connected to the vehicle frame. The loading device defines a first loading surface when the vehicle frame is in the first expanded state, and the loading device defines a second loading surface that is smaller than the first loading surface when the vehicle frame is in the collapsed state.

A side rail includes base members, and plate members that are different in both plate thickness and material from the base members. The base members have a cutout or an opening, and the plate members are fitted into this cutout or opening and joined to the base members by laser welding.

Vehicles may be composed of a relatively few number of modules that are assembled together during a final assembly process. An example vehicle may include a body module, a first drive module coupled to a first end of the body module, and a second drive module coupled to a second end of the body module. One or both of the drive modules may include a pair of wheels, a battery, an electric drive motor, and/or a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One or both of the drive modules may also include a crash structure to absorb impacts. If a component of a drive module fails or is damaged, the drive module can be quickly and easily replaced with a new drive module, minimizing vehicle down time.

Vehicles may be composed of a relatively few number of modules that are assembled together during a final assembly process. An example vehicle may include a body module, a first drive module coupled to a first end of the body module, and a second drive module coupled to a second end of the body module. One or both of the drive modules may include a pair of wheels, a battery, an electric drive motor, and/or a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One or both of the drive modules may also include a crash structure to absorb impacts. If a component of a drive module fails or is damaged, the drive module can be quickly and easily replaced with a new drive module, minimizing vehicle down time.

There is provided a vehicle framework structure including: a left and right pair of side members that each extend in a vehicle front-rear direction; a support member that is disposed in close proximity to the pair of side members in the vehicle front-rear direction, and that extends in a vehicle width direction; projections that are each provided at the support member so as to project toward one or other of the side members; joint members, an end at a support member side of each of the side members being inserted into a respective one of the joint members and the joint members being joined to the support member; and first bolts that fasten joint members that are abutted against the projections in the vehicle width direction, and fasten the side members inserted into the joint members, to the projections.

There is provided a vehicle framework structure including: a left and right pair of side members that each extend in a vehicle front-rear direction; a support member that is disposed in close proximity to the pair of side members in the vehicle front-rear direction, and that extends in a vehicle width direction; projections that are each provided at the support member so as to project toward one or other of the side members; joint members, an end at a support member side of each of the side members being inserted into a respective one of the joint members and the joint members being joined to the support member; and first bolts that fasten joint members that are abutted against the projections in the vehicle width direction, and fasten the side members inserted into the joint members, to the projections.

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 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 structural cross frame connector is described having a multipurpose system of attachment. The device has two main forms one with a vertical offset and one without this vertical offset. The central portion has an arch by which weight is distributed accordingly. The connectors have a group of pass through holes whereby a pass through rod is attached thereto using fasteners. Various structural members can be attached to the pass through rod using pass right and left pass through cavities typically used as structural support members and a central pass through cavity typically used as a hitching station. Leaf springs are also mountable on pass through rods and freely operate on another connector right and left pass through cavity for use as a suspension system.

A structural cross frame connector is described having a multipurpose system of attachment. The device has two main forms one with a vertical offset and one without this vertical offset. The central portion has an arch by which weight is distributed accordingly. The connectors have a group of pass through holes whereby a pass through rod is attached thereto using fasteners. Various structural members can be attached to the pass through rod using pass right and left pass through cavities typically used as structural support members and a central pass through cavity typically used as a hitching station. Leaf springs are also mountable on pass through rods and freely operate on another connector right and left pass through cavity for use as a suspension system.