Disclosed is a device for distributing crash energy within a vehicle. The device includes a member insertable into an end of a bumper beam of a vehicle, where a first portion of the inserted member occupies an unsupported end of the bumper beam. A second portion of the inserted member is fixedly attached to the bumper beam and to a left frame rail or a right frame rail of the vehicle, and a third portion of the inserted member occupies a portion of the bumper beam between the left frame rail and the right frame rail.

A system for protecting the body and frame of a vehicle from flying debris, particularly during a tire blowout includes a mounting apparatus configured to secure a protective shield, which may be a protective plate and/or fender, to an axle of a vehicle. In embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted to the axel via a mounting apparatus, and the fender may further be mounted to the mounting apparatus and/or protective plate. In some embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted directly to the axel, and the fender may further be mounted to the protective plate, whereby the plate may serve as the mounting apparatus.

A system for protecting the body and frame of a vehicle from flying debris, particularly during a tire blowout includes a mounting apparatus configured to secure a protective shield, which may be a protective plate and/or fender, to an axle of a vehicle. In embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted to the axel via a mounting apparatus, and the fender may further be mounted to the mounting apparatus and/or protective plate. In some embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted directly to the axel, and the fender may further be mounted to the protective plate, whereby the plate may serve as the mounting apparatus.

Systems and methods for diverting airflow around a vehicle during forward motion are disclosed, having at least one inlet orifice, at least one duct, the at least one duct in fluid communication with the at least one inlet orifice, at least one outlet orifice, and a tailcone assembly having a rearwardly facing, convexly projecting rounded surface, the tailcone assembly abutting the rear surface of the vehicle, the outlet located on the rearwardly facing, convexly projecting rounded surface, the tailcone assembly defining an internal cavity, the at least one internal cavity in fluid communication with the at least one outlet orifice and the at least one duct. Further improvements adapted to encourage laminar flow about a land vehicle when in motion are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for diverting airflow around a vehicle during forward motion are disclosed, having at least one inlet orifice, at least one duct, the at least one duct in fluid communication with the at least one inlet orifice, at least one outlet orifice, and a tailcone assembly having a rearwardly facing, convexly projecting rounded surface, the tailcone assembly abutting the rear surface of the vehicle, the outlet located on the rearwardly facing, convexly projecting rounded surface, the tailcone assembly defining an internal cavity, the at least one internal cavity in fluid communication with the at least one outlet orifice and the at least one duct. Further improvements adapted to encourage laminar flow about a land vehicle when in motion are also disclosed.

A vehicle body structure includes a fender apron member, a shock absorber housing joined to the fender apron member, and a side reinforcement member configured to connect the fender apron member and the shock absorber housing to a lower side of a front pillar and reinforce a side surface of an engine room, wherein the shock absorber housing and the side reinforcement member comprise stepped joining portions corresponding to and joined to each other.

A vehicle body structure includes a fender apron member, a shock absorber housing joined to the fender apron member, and a side reinforcement member configured to connect the fender apron member and the shock absorber housing to a lower side of a front pillar and reinforce a side surface of an engine room, wherein the shock absorber housing and the side reinforcement member comprise stepped joining portions corresponding to and joined to each other.

A vehicle fender assembly includes a fender including a body having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The body defines a body opening. A stiffener is mounted to the body inner surface and is located at the body opening. The stiffener includes stiffener holes sized to receive associated fasteners. A charge port assembly includes a bracket mounted to the stiffener. The bracket includes bracket holes sized to receive the associated fasteners. The bracket holes are over-sized relative to the associated fasteners to allow for positional movement of the charge port assembly on the associated fasteners relative to the body opening. The stiffener includes at least one stiffener locating feature and the bracket includes at least one bracket locating feature adapted to mate with the at least one stiffener feature to ensure proper placement of the bracket on the stiffener relative to the body opening.

A vehicle fender assembly includes a fender including a body having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The body defines a body opening. A stiffener is mounted to the body inner surface and is located at the body opening. The stiffener includes stiffener holes sized to receive associated fasteners. A charge port assembly includes a bracket mounted to the stiffener. The bracket includes bracket holes sized to receive the associated fasteners. The bracket holes are over-sized relative to the associated fasteners to allow for positional movement of the charge port assembly on the associated fasteners relative to the body opening. The stiffener includes at least one stiffener locating feature and the bracket includes at least one bracket locating feature adapted to mate with the at least one stiffener feature to ensure proper placement of the bracket on the stiffener relative to the body opening.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a vehicle that can include a bumper, a plurality of frame brackets, and a skid plate assembly, and related methods. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a skid plate assembly that can include a light source and a main body with a first portion, a second portion, and a plurality of mounts. The skid plate assembly can extend below a bumper of a vehicle. The main body can define an opening that exposes the light source and the face of the light source can be aimed forward and downward.