Abstract: A swing arm assembly is configured for pivotal coupling with a frame of a vehicle. The swing arm assembly includes first and second support arms. A first axle support bracket is attached to the first support arm and a second axle support bracket is attached to the second support arm. A first reinforcement member includes upper, lower, forward and rearward edges, and is welded to the first axle support bracket along at least a portion of the upper edge and at least a portion of the lower edge of the first reinforcement member. The rearward edge of the first reinforcement member is devoid of weld material. The first support arm is attached to the first reinforcement member. Vehicles including a swing arm assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A swing arm assembly is configured for pivotal coupling with a frame of a vehicle. The swing arm assembly includes first and second support arms. A first axle support bracket is attached to the first support arm and a second axle support bracket is attached to the second support arm. A first reinforcement member includes upper, lower, forward and rearward edges, and is welded to the first axle support bracket along at least a portion of the upper edge and at least a portion of the lower edge of the first reinforcement member. The rearward edge of the first reinforcement member is devoid of weld material. The first support arm is attached to the first reinforcement member. Vehicles including a swing arm assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A boot assembly includes a boot and a retention band. The retention band includes a ring, a lever attached to the ring and a clasp associated with the ring and configured for selective engagement with the lever. The boot includes an annular wall defining a hollow interior configured to receive a portion of a drive assembly of a vehicle. The boot further includes a rib, the rib being integral with the annular wall and extending radially outwardly from the annular wall. The rib and the annular wall cooperate to define an annular channel that is configured to receive the retention band. The rib extends radially outwardly beyond the ring, the lever and the clasp of the retention band when the retention band is seated within the annular channel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a swing member, an axle tube, a cushion bracket, a protrusion, an axle, and a cushion member. The swing member is pivotable about a first axis. The axle tube is coupled with the swing member, the cushion bracket, and the protrusion. The axle is rotatable about a second axis. The cushion member includes lower and upper ends. The lower end is pivotally coupled with the cushion bracket and is pivotable about a third axis. The second and third axes reside in a first plane. The protrusion is located above the first plane and is spaced from the cushion member by a first distance having a minimum value. The lower end of the cushion member is spaced from the axle tube by a second distance having a minimum value. The minimum value of the first distance is less than the minimum value of the second distance.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a folding seat assembly, and a utility bed. The utility bed is attached to the frame and is moveable with respect to the frame between a hauling position and a dumping position. The folding seat assembly is moveable between an erected position and a collapsed position. The utility bed comprises a bed floor and a cargo lid. The bed floor includes a first cargo supporting surface and defines an aperture. The cargo lid is movable between a closed position and an opened position. In the closed position, the cargo lid at least substantially covers the aperture. In the opened position, the cargo lid facilitates selective passage of at least a portion of the folding seat assembly into the aperture when both the utility bed is in the hauling position and the folding seat assembly is in the erected position.

Abstract: A suspension assembly includes an axle and a resilient member. The axle includes a first end and a second end and is movable with respect to a vehicle's frame between an unloaded position and a loaded position. The resilient member is configured to be spaced from at least one of the axle and the frame when the axle is in the unloaded position. The resilient member is also configured to selectively progressively bias the axle towards the unloaded position. A vehicle including a suspension assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly is provided for a cargo bed of a vehicle. The tailgate assembly includes a support panel and a tailgate panel. The support panel is configured for attachment to a vehicle such that the support panel is selectively pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions. The tailgate panel is attached to the support panel. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define an end wall for the cargo bed when the support panel is in the horizontal position. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define a step when the support panel is in the vertical position. A vehicle including a cargo bed having such a tailgate assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A differential lock mechanism is provided for use in an axle assembly having a differential, an input member and first and second axles. A lock sleeve is co-axially disposed about the first axle, with the lock sleeve being rotatable with the first axle and laterally movable relative to the first axle. A lock collar is co-axially disposed about the lock sleeve and is laterally movable between outboard and inboard positions. A biasing member biases the lock sleeve toward the rotatable carrier and a lock fork is engaged with the lock collar. The lock fork is operable for moving the lock collar between the outboard and inboard positions. The lock collar is disengaged with the rotatable carrier when the lock collar is in the outboard position and is engaged with both the rotatable carrier and the lock sleeve when the lock collar is in the inboard position.

Abstract: A roll bar assembly is provided that includes a base member configured for mounting on a frame of a vehicle. The roll bar assembly also includes an upper member secured to the base member and an armrest member secured to the upper member. The armrest member includes first and second armrests spaced apart from one another and also includes a connecting portion extending between and interconnecting the first and second armrests. The connecting portion of the armrest member is spaced apart from the base member and the upper member and is configured for mounting on the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly is provided for a cargo bed of a vehicle. The tailgate assembly includes a support panel and a tailgate panel. The support panel is configured for attachment to a vehicle such that the support panel is selectively pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions. The tailgate panel is attached to the support panel. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define an end wall for the cargo bed when the support panel is in the horizontal position. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define a step when the support panel is in the vertical position. A vehicle including a cargo bed having such a tailgate assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly is provided for a cargo bed of a vehicle. The tailgate assembly includes a support panel and a tailgate panel. The support panel is configured for attachment to a vehicle such that the support panel is selectively pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions. The tailgate panel is attached to the support panel. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define an end wall for the cargo bed when the support panel is in the horizontal position. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define a step when the support panel is in the vertical position. A vehicle including a cargo bed having such a tailgate assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a folding seat assembly, and a utility bed. The utility bed is attached to the frame and is moveable with respect to the frame between a hauling position and a dumping position. The folding seat assembly is moveable between an erected position and a collapsed position. The utility bed comprises a bed floor and a cargo lid. The bed floor includes a first cargo supporting surface and defines an aperture. The cargo lid is movable between a closed position and an opened position. In the closed position, the cargo lid at least substantially covers the aperture. In the opened position, the cargo lid facilitates selective passage of at least a portion of the folding seat assembly into the aperture when both the utility bed is in the hauling position and the folding seat assembly is in the erected position.

Abstract: An axle assembly is provided that includes a differential housing, a first axle tube and a second axle tube. The first axle tube and the second axle tube are releasably secured to the differential housing and to one another.

Abstract: A protective cover for the underside of a vehicle is formed substantially from plastic and can provide a skid plate for the vehicle. The protective cover includes at least one fastening portion which is configured to facilitate attachment of the protective cover to the vehicle. In one embodiment, the protective cover includes a rib that is movable to matingly contact a feature on an underside of a vehicle so that loading from an impact is distributed in a predetermined manner. In another embodiment, the fastening portion includes an abutment wall that substantially transmits a shearing load from the protective cover to a vehicle. In yet another embodiment, the fastening portion is adjacent to an edge portion of the protective cover. The protective cover may be included in a vehicle.

Abstract: A roll bar assembly is provided that includes a base member configured for mounting on a frame of a vehicle. The roll bar assembly also includes an upper member secured to the base member and an armrest member secured to the upper member. The armrest member includes first and second armrests spaced apart from one another and also includes a connecting portion extending between and interconnecting the first and second armrests. The connecting portion of the armrest member is spaced apart from the base member and the upper member and is configured for mounting on the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A differential lock mechanism is provided for use in an axle assembly having a differential, an input member and first and second axles. A lock sleeve is co-axially disposed about the first axle, with the lock sleeve being rotatable with the first axle and laterally movable relative to the first axle. A lock collar is co-axially disposed about the lock sleeve and is laterally movable between outboard and inboard positions. A biasing member biases the lock sleeve toward the rotatable carrier and a lock fork is engaged with the lock collar. The lock fork is operable for moving the lock collar between the outboard and inboard positions. The lock collar is disengaged with the rotatable carrier when the lock collar is in the outboard position and is engaged with both the rotatable carrier and the lock sleeve when the lock collar is in the inboard position.

Abstract: A suspension arm is configured for pivotable attachment to a vehicle's frame and for at least partially supporting a wheel knuckle. The suspension arm includes first and second elongated support members which each have proximal and distal ends. The suspension arm also includes a bracket formed from sheet metal. The support arm is configured for pivotable attachment to a vehicle's frame adjacent to the proximal ends of the first and second elongated support members. The distal ends of the first and second elongated support members are attached to the bracket. The bracket defines an opening configured for receiving a wheel knuckle. A pair of suspension arms and a vehicle having first and second suspension arms are also provided.

Abstract: An axle assembly is provided that includes a differential housing, a first axle tube and a second axle tube. The first axle tube and the second axle tube are releasably secured to the differential housing and to one another.

Abstract: A suspension assembly includes an axle and a resilient member. The axle includes a first end and a second end and is movable with respect to a vehicle's frame between an unloaded position and a loaded position. The resilient member is configured to be spaced from at least one of the axle and the frame when the axle is in the unloaded position. The resilient member is also configured to selectively progressively bias the axle towards the unloaded position. A vehicle including a suspension assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly is provided for a cargo bed of a vehicle. The tailgate assembly includes a support panel and a tailgate panel. The support panel is configured for attachment to a vehicle such that the support panel is selectively pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions. The tailgate panel is attached to the support panel. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define an end wall for the cargo bed when the support panel is in the horizontal position. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define a step when the support panel is in the vertical position. A vehicle including a cargo bed having such a tailgate assembly is also provided.