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 system for adapting a hub for coupling the hub to a wheel where the wheel is not sized for attachment to the hub. The system includes and an adaptor or wheel adaptor for coupling the hub to the wheel. The wheel adaptor includes a body, a first set of holes, a second set of holes, and a third set of holes.

A system for adapting a hub for coupling the hub to a wheel where the wheel is not sized for attachment to the hub. The system includes and an adaptor or wheel adaptor for coupling the hub to the wheel. The wheel adaptor includes a body, a first set of holes, a second set of holes, and a third set of holes.

A self-reacting center wheel nut assembly includes a reaction ring (120) formed between a center wheel nut (110) and a lock collar assembly (130). The self-reacting center wheel nut assembly may also include a washer (140) and O-rings. The self-reacting center wheel nut assembly improves and simplifies wheel bolt tightening; uses the lock collar assembly as a reaction point by transferring opposing torque generated during installation and removal through the reaction ring, which is reacted on by a dual sleeved drive assembly; may be used with HYTORC electric battery powered torque multiplier gun/tools to deliver quick, accurate and precise torque; eliminates the need for external reaction points such as the rim or ground, thereby eliminating side loads and damage to the wheel; is fully sealed and lubricated; eliminates vehicle movement and the need to lock the brakes; reduces operator fatigue, chances of injury and saves operator time and energy.

A rim for a wheel of a vehicle and having: a central hub; a peripheral ring, on which a tyre can be fitted; and a series of spokes, which are arranged radially and connect the peripheral ring to the central hub. Each spoke has three initial branches, which are distinct and separate from one another, originate from different portions of the central hub and, at a given distance from the central hub, join one another so as to form one single central branch, which ends in the peripheral ring.

A universal axle-hub assembly is provided for an off-road vehicle. The universal axle-hub assembly comprises a wheel hub that receives a constant velocity (CV) axle snout into an opening extending through an axle support of the wheel hub. An outboard-most portion of the opening is a splined portion that engages with similar splines disposed on an outboard-most portion of the CV axle snout. An inboard-most portion of the opening is a smooth portion that receives a smooth portion of the CV axle snout. The axle support extends through an entirety of the width of a bearing that supports the wheel hub, such that the bearing supports the smooth portion of the CV axle snout and substantially eliminates shear forces acting on the splined portion of the CV axle snout. A bearing carrier supports the bearing and may be fastened onto a trailing arm or a spindle of the off-road vehicle.

A universal axle-hub assembly is provided for an off-road vehicle. The universal axle-hub assembly comprises a wheel hub that receives a constant velocity (CV) axle snout into an opening extending through an axle support of the wheel hub. An outboard-most portion of the opening is a splined portion that engages with similar splines disposed on an outboard-most portion of the CV axle snout. An inboard-most portion of the opening is a smooth portion that receives a smooth portion of the CV axle snout. The axle support extends through an entirety of the width of a bearing that supports the wheel hub, such that the bearing supports the smooth portion of the CV axle snout and substantially eliminates shear forces acting on the splined portion of the CV axle snout. A bearing carrier supports the bearing and may be fastened onto a trailing arm or a spindle of the off-road vehicle.

A wheel lug nut locking attachment, lug nut position locator device, or lug nut locking device is provided, wherein the attachment or devices include a thermochromic material which provides an indication of excess heat generation in the wheel assembly of a tractor trailer. A warning system to alert an operator of the present of excess heat in the wheel assembly is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the device also acts to lock a wheel lug nut to an adjacent wheel lug nut, so as to prevent or reduce rotation of the wheel lug nut. A plurality of thermochromic lug nut locking devices can be fitted to a single wheel so that all of the lug nuts are operatively locked to an adjacent lug nut. The resulting locking system can be rapidly installed on each lug nut on all wheels, so as to provide improved vehicle safety aspects.

A wheel assembly includes a plurality of discreet, axially extending curved friction plates for engaging a first side of a spoke structure of a tire assembly, a first annular rim piece for engaging a rotatable axle, and a second annular rim piece for engaging the first rim piece. The first rim piece and the second rim piece each have axially extending lugs for engaging opposite ends of the friction plates.