What is body-on-frame construction?
What is Body-on-Frame Construction? Body-on-frame design means the vehicle frame and body are two different pieces. Typically an existing pickup ladder frame is used as the base, with the body designed to fit the frame. Originally all vehicles were made using body-on-frame construction.
What are the advantages of a body on frame vehicle?
Also, body-on-frame vehicles have a greater hauling and towing capacity than unibody models, due to their sturdy foundations and tolerance for torsional flexing. Another benefit of body-on-frame vehicles is that they're cheaper to build and repair.
What is the difference between body-on-frame and unibody frame?
Body-on-frame models feature a separate frame and body. The frame is typically used as the base for pickup trucks as well as SUVs. Unibody frame models combine the body and frame into one piece. This design mimics passenger cars.
What is a body-on-frame pickup?
The traditional method of assembling a car or truck is called body-on-frame construction for a simple reason. Essentially, this process starts with an underlying frame, and then the vehicle’s body goes on top of that. In the case of a body-on-frame pickup, the bed is mounted on the frame separately.
What is the difference between body-on-frame and unibody?
There are two types of frame designs drivers will find on vehicles made in the US: Body-On-Frame and Unibody frames. A unibody design involves manufacturing the frame and body of the vehicle as a single unit, while a body-on-frame design involves mounting the body of the car to the chassis that carries the powertrain.
What is a body over frame type construction?
Body-on-frame, also known as ladder frame construction, is a common motor vehicle construction method, whereby a separate body or coach is mounted on a strong and relatively rigid vehicle frame or chassis that carries the powertrain (the engine and drivetrain) and to which the wheels and their suspension, brakes, and ...
Is body-on-frame cheaper?
Body-on-frame vehicles also tend to be cheaper to build and cheaper to repair, if you get into an accident. Not surprisingly, there are also a few drawbacks to body-on-frame construction, which is why many automakers stopped using it.
Why is body-on-frame better for off road?
But body on-frame is preferred for off-roading because it is perceived as stronger and more durable. It is more resistant to long-term fatigue, impacts, and twisting forces -all important factors for the more serious off-roader, especially rock crawlers.
What is the advantage of body-on-frame construction?
Body-on-frame construction is better at resisting twisting forces. It is better for off-road driving and hauling heavy loads. Unibody frame construction results in a lighter vehicle, usually resulting in better fuel economy, handling, and cornering.
What does body frame mean?
Body frame size is determined by a person's wrist circumference in relation to their height. For example, a man whose height is over 5' 5" and wrist is 6" would fall into the small-boned category.
Are all pickup trucks body-on-frame?
Most modern vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks, utilize a unibody design. However, some body-on-frame vehicles are still common; nearly all full-size and midsize pickup trucks, for example, are body-on-frame.
Are all trucks body-on-frame?
Over time, as advancements in manufacturing have occurred, most passenger cars (and even many SUVs) have migrated away from this vehicle frame style. However, there are still numerous SUVs that retain a body-on-frame design. Additionally, nearly all of the trucks in the U.S. market are body-on-frame.
What is the difference between body over frame construction and unibody construction?
The difference between unibody and body-on-frame vehicles is fairly straight forward. Unibody vehicles have the chassis and body of the car together. A body on frame vehicle has a frame which the vehicle stresses pass through, and the body of the car rests on top of this.
Is the Range Rover body-on-frame?
The Range Rover was a body-on-frame design with a box section ladder type chassis, like the contemporary Series Land Rovers.
Are jeeps body-on-frame?
The Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Wrangler, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban are still considered body-on-frame SUVs, making them extremely useful in the outdoors.
Is Jeep Grand Cherokee body-on-frame?
From its inception, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been designed for adventures on-road and off. Unlike many trail rigs (like its Wrangler stablemate), the Grand Cherokee uses a unibody chassis instead of a body-on-frame setup for better manners on pavement.
What is body on frame?
Body-on-frame is a common motor vehicle construction method, where a separate body or coach is mounted on a strong and relatively rigid vehicle frame or chassis that carries the powertrain (the engine and drivetrain) and to which the wheels and their suspension, brakes, and steering are mounted. While this was the original method ...
Which company makes the most body on frame SUVs?
Toyota currently manufactures the most body-on-frame SUVs with the 4Runner, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, Lexus GX and LX followed by Nissan with the Patrol, Armada, and Infiniti QX56/80. The Ford Panther platform, which was discontinued in 2011, was the last series of traditional passenger cars to be built in this manner.
Why did Ford use ladder frame?
The Ford Model T carried the tradition of body-on-frame over from horse-drawn buggies, helping to facilitate high volume manufacturing on a moving assembly line. In the United States, frequent changes in automotive design made it necessary to use a ladder frame rather than unibody construction to make it possible to change the design without having to change the chassis, allowing frequent changes and improvements to the car's bodywork and interior (where they were most noticeable to customers) while leaving the chassis and driveline unchanged, and thus keeping costs down and design times short. It was also easy to use the same chassis and driveline for several very different cars. Especially in the days before computer-aided design, this was an advantage.
What was the purpose of the mid-1930s chassis?
Both of these chassis were used for several different models. The mid-1930s designed Volkswagen made use of the bodyshell for structural strength as well as the chassis — hence 'semi-monocoque'. Traditionally chassis had "compliance", they were designed to allow some twisting.
What was the last American luxury car made on the body on frame system?
The Lincoln Town Car once dominated the American limousine market because it was the last American luxury car made on the body-on-frame system and was easily lengthened for livery work. With the Town Car discontinued since 2011, its de facto replacement became the Lincoln Navigator SUV.
Does a body on frame have crumple zones?
Torsional flexing during cornering can compromise the handling and road grip. Many older body-on-frame vehicles have no inbuilt crumple zones, so their crashworthiness is below that of a unibody with crumple zones.
Is a complete vehicle heavier than a unibody?
The complete vehicle will often be heavier than a unibody design, resulting in diminished performance and higher fuel consumption. Body-on-frame vehicles with high ground clearance such as trucks and true off-road SUVs have high centers of gravity, compromising their on-road performance.
Why do car manufacturers use body on frame construction?
Most car manufacturers do prefer body-on-frame construction because they can quickly redesign or make modifications when necessary. You can also make other body changes using the same frame repeatedly with no damage to its structural integrity.
Is it cheaper to repair a body on a frame?
Since you can easily make modifications in the vehicle, repairs are always relatively cheap. This could be a case where there has been an accident, and the frame is still intact with minimal damages.
Is body on frame construction going extinct?
The body-on-frame construction is not going extinct anytime soon. It is still a foundation to the automobile industry, and it may even see a comeback in the future. Since it features a different frame from the body, cars are still better constructed this way since the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. It has its fair share of cons but will always remain a good option even as technology advancements impact the future.
Does a Jeep have a body on frame?
Just looking at its size, you can tell it has a unique frame construction rarely seen in today’s cars. It is one of the few jeep models that still have a body-on-frame design and construction. The body-on-frame gives it its heavy-duty features making it able to take on many off-road terrains in any environment.
What is the body on a vehicle?
The body – the basic “skeleton” of the vehicle that forms the cabin, engine bay, and cargo area – sits on top of a strong, flat frame, which supports the weight of the vehicle and holds the suspension and wheels. Think pickup trucks and very large SUVs.
What is ladder type frame?
The frame generally features two long rails of high-strength steel that are connected by shorter steel cross-members. As a result, these are often called ladder-type frames. That solid foundation remains important for towing and hauling capability, and it’s better able to stand up to extreme twisting forces, too.
Where is the bed on a body on a truck?
For body-on-frame pickups, the bed is mounted on the frame separately from the cab. Indeed, if you look closely at the side of a body-on-frame truck, you’ll be able to see exactly where the cab ends and the separate bed begins.
Is body on frame better for fuel economy?
On the road, however, body-on-frame vehicles are heavier, which means they get worse fuel economy . Also, the same rigidity that’s so helpful on a trail creates a noticeably harsher and less forgiving ride on the pavement.
Is the Ridgeline a body on frame?
But that doesn’t mean body-on-frame vehicles are going away. The Jeep Gladiator pickup uses a body-on-frame approach, and other new entries are expected soon.
What is body on frame construction?
Essentially, body-on-frame construction entails mounting the car or truck's body on a chassis carrying the powertrain -- like the Ford F150 seen above. In contrast, unibody construction (sometimes called car-based construction) involves manufacturing the frame and body of the vehicle as a single piece. Today, almost all cars, SUVs, and even some ...
What is the difference between a body on a frame and a unibody?
The body and chassis of a unibody vehicle are together, while the body-on-frame vehicle is just what the name suggests: a vehicle with a frame with a body that rests atop it. These two types of vehicle construction have dominated ...
Why are body on frame vehicles better than unibody vehicles?
Also, body-on-frame vehicles have a greater hauling and towing capacity than unibody models, due to their sturdy foundations and tolerance for torsional flexing. Another benefit of body-on-frame vehicles is that they're cheaper to build and repair. Because the body and frame are separate, you can replace one or the other if it gets damaged rather ...
Why are unibody vehicles so popular?
Unibody vehicles have come to dominate the market for many reasons. In addition to their superior safety features and better fuel economy, they're easier to design. Computer-aided design software allows automakers to mold the shells of cars like clay to achieve precise contours. Sophisticated manufacturing processes can pump out these shells quickly, even if they consist of many materials that must be welded or riveted and parts that must be attached. Since unibody vehicles are much more common than body-on-frame ones, finding one to buy is also easier. Also, the unibody's low center of gravity makes rollovers less likely and offers a smoother ride. Many unibody SUVs handle as smoothly as cars.
What are the drawbacks of body on frame vehicles?
A significant drawback of body-on-frame vehicles is that they lack crumple zones. Crumple zones are regions of vehicles that absorb kinetic energy during a crash, so the passengers don't absorb it instead. They're a significant safety feature of modern cars and regularly save lives.
What trucks are body on frame?
This includes industry favorites like the Ford F-150 and Ranger, Chevy Silverado and Colorado, Ram 1500, GMC Sierra and Canyon, Toyota Tundra and Tacoma, and Nissan Titan and Frontier. Modern body-on-frame SUVs for 2021 include the Ford Expedition and Expedition Max, ...
Why do body on frame vehicles make less noise?
Also, body-on-frame vehicles make less noise on the road because rubber pads around the attachment bolts separate the chassis from the frame, insulating passengers from the sound of the tires. Higher elevation from the ground also protects body-on-frame vehicles somewhat better from the moisture of the road, which might otherwise lead to rust.
What is body on frame construction?
The body on frame construction is the traditional approach of assembling a vehicle. It involves mounting the body of the vehicle on an underlying frame, which is actually the chassis accommodating the powertrain.
Which is better, body on frame or off road?
Considering off-road performance, the body on frame structure is definitely better than its competitor. Due to its higher mounted position on the vehicles, the frame handles twisting forces better and is more resistant to outside elements like gravels, mud, snow, and dirt.
Why are unibody vehicles less safe?
More crumple zones mean that more areas will absorb the impact during a bump or crash, taking the heat off of the passengers . Unibody vehicles incorporate crush zones and other special features to protect the cabin from the crash impacts. In fact, your survival rate during accidents is higher if you are in a unibody instead of a body on frame vehicle.
Why are unibody vehicles lighter than body on frame units?
Unibody vehicles are lighter than the body on frame units. Also, their low center of gravity makes it easier to drive on the pavement. These two things considerably contribute to a better fuel economy.
Is it cheaper to repair a body on a frame or a unibody?
As the framework consists of separate pieces, you can replace just the damaged part instead of changing the whole unit. On the other hand, unibody cars are costlier to repair since a replacement means changing the entire shell.
What is a ladder frame?
This type of chassis can also be called a “ladder frame.” The body of the vehicle is a separate piece (or pieces) that is bolted to the frame.
What is a chassis in a car?
The terms refer to the style of the vehicle chassis (or frame).The chassis is like the skeleton of the vehicle. It supports the engine, drivetrain, suspension, and passenger compartment.
What Is Body-on-Frame Design?
The first motor vehicles were devised by unhooking a horse from its wagon, then bolting on an engine and a means by which it could turn the wheels. To this rudimentary frame, or "rolling chassis" were eventually added different styles of bodywork—a cab and bed, an open body with multiple seats, closed bodywork, etc.
What Is Unibody Design?
Unibody is short for unit body or unitized body—meaning the body, floorboards, and major chassis structural support and crash-protection elements are welded, bonded, molded, or somehow joined into a single structural element.
What Is a Monocoque Chassis?
Pardon our French, but that means "single shell" or possibly "single hull" if talking about boats, which we're not. In monocoque structures, as with exoskeletal insects, the skin is structural, bearing tension and compression loads.
What Is Space-Frame Design?
Essentially, the space frame can be considered the opposite of a monocoque. Here an internal framework of metal tubes or composite stringers bears most of the load while the exterior bodywork bears very little—like a human skeleton/skin setup. The idea was first proposed for automotive use by inventor William B.
Which Is Better?
Well, the answer totally depends on the use case.
Overview
Body-on-frame, also known as ladder frame construction, is a common motor vehicle construction method, whereby a separate body or coach is mounted on a strong and relatively rigid vehicle frame or chassis that carries the powertrain (the engine and drivetrain) and to which the wheels and their suspension, brakes, and steering are mounted. While this was the original method of building automobi…
History
The Ford Model T carried the tradition of body-on-frame over from horse-drawn buggies, helping to facilitate high volume manufacturing on a moving assembly line. In the United States, frequent changes in automotive design made it necessary to use a ladder frame rather than unibody construction to make it possible to change the design without having to change the chassis, allowing f…
Advantages and disadvantages
• Easier to design, build and modify. Frames can be streamlined to accommodate different body-designs, cutting costs and manufacturing requirements.
• Less noise while traveling, because the groans, squeaks and rattles normally associated with bodywork movement due to stresses and strains are not heard so much, and road noise from tires is more "distant", all d…
Examples
The following is a list of production cars, SUVs, and light-duty pickup trucks that currently have a body-on-frame construction. The list is divided by vehicle category.
• BMW i3
• Cadillac Escalade (ESV)
• Chevrolet Suburban
See also
• Vehicle frame
• Coachwork
• Spaceframe
• Subframe
• Superleggera
External links
• Ford assembly line featuring body-on-frame car (historic)