A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

A connector for connecting a frame member to one or more other frame members of a space frame assembly is disclosed. The connector includes a body defining a surface and a projection extending outwardly from the surface along a main axis to define an axial end surface away from the surface. The axial end surface defines a curvature having continuity across an expanse of the axial end surface to facilitate formation of a full penetration weld joint between an end of the frame member and the axial end surface upon a contact of the end of the frame member with the axial end surface.

A connector for connecting a frame member to one or more other frame members of a space frame assembly is disclosed. The connector includes a body defining a surface and a projection extending outwardly from the surface along a main axis to define an axial end surface away from the surface. The axial end surface defines a curvature having continuity across an expanse of the axial end surface to facilitate formation of a full penetration weld joint between an end of the frame member and the axial end surface upon a contact of the end of the frame member with the axial end surface.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for multi-position wheel assembly mounts. An example vehicle frame disclosed herein includes apertures adjacent to each of a plurality of wheel assembly locations on the vehicle frame, and a wheel assembly mount at each of the wheel assembly locations, the wheel assembly mount having protrusions extending toward the vehicle frame and positionable in the apertures in a first position to provide a first ride height of the vehicle frame and a second position to provide a second ride height of the vehicle frame, the first ride height less than the second ride height.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for multi-position wheel assembly mounts. An example vehicle frame disclosed herein includes apertures adjacent to each of a plurality of wheel assembly locations on the vehicle frame, and a wheel assembly mount at each of the wheel assembly locations, the wheel assembly mount having protrusions extending toward the vehicle frame and positionable in the apertures in a first position to provide a first ride height of the vehicle frame and a second position to provide a second ride height of the vehicle frame, the first ride height less than the second ride height.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for scalable vehicle platforms. An example vehicle chassis disclosed herein includes a right front chassis portion including a first longitudinal member, and a first crossmember attachment locator disposed on the first longitudinal member. The example vehicle chassis includes a left front chassis portion including a second longitudinal member and a second crossmember attachment locator disposed on the second longitudinal member, wherein the vehicle chassis has a first width when a first crossmember is coupled to the first and second crossmember attachment locators and wherein the vehicle chassis has a second width greater than the first width when a second crossmember is coupled to the first and second crossmember attachment locators, the second crossmember longer than the first crossmember.

A universal chassis frame is disclosed having a ladder-frame construction that is configurable to position the rear axle(s) at variable set of preset distances from the back of the cab of the vehicle to provide for customized rail/bed lengths over a range of medium/heavy classes of electric trucks. In various embodiments, the chassis frame includes a central frame having a pair of main frame rails configured to support at least two battery modules substantially within an intra-frame space defined between the pair of main frame rails. A front subframe is configured to support a cab, the front portion including a pair of upper frame members mounted above the corresponding pair of the main frame rails, and a front axle unit mounted under the front subframe. A rear subframe is configured to support at least one rear axle unit mounted under the rear subframe and any of a set of multiple configurable rear payload units via a common connection interface affixable to the main frame rails such that the location of the rear subframe with respect to the main frame is longitudinally variable at different sets of predetermined distances from the back of the cab.

The vehicle with right and left front seats, a cargo bed located behind the right and left front seats, a guide rail located on the cargo bed, and a rear seat with a seat frame connected to the guide rail and slidable in the front-rear direction along the guide rail. This structure enables the cargo bed to have a sufficient capacity while preventing the vehicle body from increasing in size, and secures freedom in the shape of the rear seat.

The vehicle with right and left front seats, a cargo bed located behind the right and left front seats, a guide rail located on the cargo bed, and a rear seat with a seat frame connected to the guide rail and slidable in the front-rear direction along the guide rail. This structure enables the cargo bed to have a sufficient capacity while preventing the vehicle body from increasing in size, and secures freedom in the shape of the rear seat.