Abstract: An inline gearbox for a land vehicle that includes an engine having a clutch housing for the transmission of rotational force from the engine to one or more wheels for propelling the land vehicle, wherein the inline gearbox includes a fast-change gear assembly.

Abstract: An inline gearbox for a land vehicle that includes an engine having a clutch housing for the transmission of rotational force from the engine to one or more wheels for propelling the land vehicle, wherein the inline gearbox includes a gearbox housing having a front end, a side and a rear end, with the front end adapted to be joined to the clutch housing. There is an input shaft contained at least in part within the gearbox housing proximate to the front end of the gearbox housing, and a primary gear train that includes (a) a lay shaft; (b) a drive shaft; and (c) a plurality of selectively engaged meshed gear pairs respectively mounted on the lay shaft and the drive shaft for transmitting rotational force from the lay shaft to the drive shaft. The inline gearbox also includes an output shaft contained at least in part within the gearbox housing proximate to the rear end of the gearbox housing, with the output shaft rotationally coupled to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A load anchor assembly for attachment to a tubular member having an exterior surface, comprising an anchor base and a portion extending from the anchor base adapted to secure a vehicle component. The assembly includes a boss having a first flanged end and a second end, where the boss is adapted to be positioned in first and second apertures in the exterior surface of the tubular member with the flanged end in contact with the first aperture and the second end accessible through the second aperture. There is at least one fastener connected to the anchor base and the second end to secure the anchor base to the flanged boss.

Abstract: A gearbox having a longitudinally-oriented input shaft for transmitting rotational force from an engine; a gear drive train, for receiving rotational force from the input shaft, which includes a plurality of meshed gear pairs mounted on first and second shafts that are laterally oriented perpendicular to the longitudinally oriented input shaft; and in one aspect a fast-change gear assembly interposed in the gear drive train for changing the torque transfer characteristics of the gearbox.

Abstract: An impact structure for attenuating longitudinally-directed vehicle impacts, comprising first and second attenuation plates, where the plates are spaced apart from each other at a mounting region of the impact structure and fixed to each other at an impact region of the impact structure, and the impact region is longitudinally distal from the mounting region. There is an aperture pattern on each attenuation plate, wherein each aperture of the aperture pattern on each attenuation plate has an aspect ratio defined by the maximum size of the aperture in the longitudinal direction divided by the maximum size of the aperture in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and the aspect ratio of the apertures of the aperture pattern on each attenuation plate generally increases or decreases in the longitudinal direction between the mounting region and the impact region.

Abstract: Piston engine updraft and downdraft air intake systems, having a heat exchanger core and first and second intercooler flange structures having the same pattern of bolt apertures. The updraft air intake system has an air inlet component with an air inlet flange bolted to and having the same pattern of bolt apertures as the first intercooler flange structure, with the assembly configured to be mounted over the engine intake manifold with the air inlet component below the heat exchanger core. The downdraft air intake system has an air distribution tray with distribution channels, and an air passage closure tray that mates with the air distribution tray to form air conduits with outlet ports configured to be connected to cylinder air intake ports, and an air tray distribution flange bolted to and having the same pattern of bolt apertures as the second intercooler flange structure.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension having a first load-bearing component assembly and a second load-bearing component assembly. The first and second load bearing component assemblies are adapted to be transversely positioned across from each other on a vehicle chassis. A directionally-dependent heave spring assembly is adapted to be transversely secured to a vehicle chassis, the heave spring assembly is coupled to the first load-bearing component assembly and to the second load-bearing component assembly and exhibits resiliency in opposition to upward vertical movement of both wheel hub assemblies relative to their rest states, and exhibits substantially no resiliency in opposition to downward vertical movement of both wheel assemblies relative to their rest states.

Abstract: A wheel alignment mechanism having a control arm connector, which is adapted for connection to a vehicle suspension control arm positioned between a vehicle chassis and a vehicle wheel, and which has an elongate portion; an inner support frame having a first surface and a second surface on a side of the inner support frame opposing the first surface, the elongate portion of the control arm connector positioned against the first surface at a select one of a first set of plural mounting locations on the first surface, with the first set of plural mounting locations being disposed in a first direction; and an outer support frame adapted to receive a wheel mounting, the connector having a third surface, the second surface of the inner support frame being positioned against the third surface at a select one of a second set of plural mounting locations on the third surface, and with the second set of plural mounting locations being disposed in a second direction approximately perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A combination of an engine, a gearbox clutch housing and a mounting system for mounting the combination to the structural load-bearing components of a vehicle, comprising an engine having a first contact surface; a gearbox clutch housing having a second contact surface, the first contact surface of the engine and the second contact surface of the gearbox clutch housing each being joined to the other by mechanical fastening means; and a first hanger, where the latter comprises a rigid plate positioned between the first contact surface of the engine and the second contact surface of the gearbox clutch housing, with the first hanger being securely fastened between the engine and the gearbox clutch housing.