Modular chassis

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular chassis for a vehicle, comprising:
 a chassis for supporting components of the vehicle;   a front frame module for coupling with a front of the chassis; and   a rear frame module for coupling with a rear of the chassis.   
     
     
         2 . The modular chassis of  claim 1 , wherein the front frame module supports a first lower suspension arm on a passenger side and a second lower suspension arm on a driver side of the vehicle by way of inboard mounting joints that allow the first lower suspension arm and the second lower suspension arm to pivot vertically with respect to the front frame module. 
     
     
         3 . The modular chassis of  claim 2 , wherein the front frame module is an elongate member comprised of inboard mounting brackets disposed on opposite sides in locations suitable to receive the first lower suspension arm and the second lower suspension arm. 
     
     
         4 . The modular chassis of  claim 1 , wherein the front frame module includes a front mount and a rear mount disposed at opposite ends. 
     
     
         5 . The modular chassis of  claim 4 , wherein the front mount includes a bracket for coupling with a similar bracket disposed at a front-most portion of the chassis. 
     
     
         6 . The modular chassis of  claim 5 , wherein the rear mount is configured to be coupled with a bracket that is fastened or welded onto the chassis. 
     
     
         7 . The modular chassis of  claim 1 , wherein the front frame module is configured to support at least a steering gear and a front differential of the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The modular chassis of  claim 1 , wherein the front frame module includes one or more service ports to provide access to various components supported by the front frame module. 
     
     
         9 . The modular chassis of  claim 1 , wherein the front frame module includes one or more panels for protecting various components coupled with the front frame module. 
     
     
         10 . The modular chassis of  claim 1 , wherein the rear frame module comprises a tube-frame structure that is configured to support various components of the vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The modular chassis of  claim 1 , wherein the rear frame module includes one or more frame component mounts to support various components of the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The modular chassis of  claim 1 , wherein a lower portion of the rear frame module comprises parallel bottom frame members that extend rearward and upward toward a top frame member. 
     
     
         13 . The modular chassis of  claim 12 , wherein each bottom frame member joins with an angled frame member that extends upwards to a bent portion that joins the angled frame member with a vertical frame member that extends acutely toward the top frame member. 
     
     
         14 . The modular chassis of  claim 13 , wherein one or more cross-members are disposed between any of the bottom frame members, the angled frame members, and the vertical frame members to impart structural integrity to the rear frame module. 
     
     
         15 . The modular chassis of  claim 13 , wherein the top frame member comprises a rear-most portion of the rear frame module and is configured to be coupled with upper side portions of the chassis by way of a top mount disposed at each end of the top frame member. 
     
     
         16 . The modular chassis of  claim 15 , wherein the top mount comprises a suitable means for coupling the top frame member with the upper side portions. 
     
     
         17 . The modular chassis of  claim 12 , wherein the rear frame module includes a bottom mount for coupling the bottom frame members with the chassis. 
     
     
         18 . The modular chassis of  claim 17 , wherein the bottom mount comprises brackets for fastening the bottom frame members to the chassis. 
     
     
         19 . The modular chassis of  claim 18 , wherein a cross-member is disposed between the bottom frame members and configured to be fastened between the brackets. 
     
     
         20 . The modular chassis of  claim 12 , wherein each bottom frame member is adjacent to a midline of the chassis and provides clearance for vertical motion of a rear trailing arm coupled with the chassis.