Abstract: A vehicle front lowering suspension system includes a main support structure made from a metal plate having front and side walls. A spindle support tube is fixedly connected to the main support structure having oppositely positioned first and second upturned ends. First and second shock absorber mounting arms are each fixedly connected at a connecting end to a first or second free end of a forward facing wall of the main support structure. The forward facing wall defines an integral extension of a plate material of the main support structure. A forward face of the spindle support tube is fixed to a rearward face of the forward facing wall.

Abstract: A brake lighting system for a lightweight utility vehicle is provided. The brake lighting system can comprise a pressure sensitive brake light switch (PSBLS) operably connected to a brake pedal subassembly of the vehicle. The PSBLS is configured such that depression of a brake pedal included in the brake pedal subassembly compresses the pressure sensitive brake light switch. The brake lighting system additionally can comprise a brake light circuit that can comprise at least one brake light and an electronic switching device communicatively connected to the PSBLS. The electronic switching device is responsive to a brake light signal transmitted by the PSBLS when the PSBLS is compressed. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching device enables a current flow through the brake light to illuminate the brake light.

Abstract: A traction control system for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a wheel speed sensor that generates a wheel speed signal in accordance with a rotational speed of a non-driven wheel of the utility vehicle. An accelerator position sensor generates an accelerator signal in accordance with a position of an accelerator pedal of the utility vehicle. A controller receives the wheel speed signal and the accelerator signal, determines an intended speed based on the accelerator signal, and determines a substantially actual wheel speed based on the wheel speed signal. Based on a comparison of the substantially actual wheel speed and the intended speed, the controller controls rotation of at least one driven wheel by adjusting at least one of a commanded speed and a commanded torque when the substantially actual wheel speed is outside of a desired range of the intended speed.

Abstract: A lightweight utility vehicle brake lighting system comprising a brake pedal position sensor, a controller and a brake light circuit. The brake pedal position sensor senses the position, e.g., amount of depression, of a vehicle brake pedal. The controller of interprets a brake pedal position signal from the brake pedal position sensor to determine the position of the brake pedal. When the controller determines that the brake pedal has been depressed to initiate a braking operation of the vehicle, the controller transmits a brake light signal to an electronic switching device, such as a relay switch, of the brake light circuit. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching closes to complete, or close, the brake light circuit to enable a current flow through the brake light circuit, thereby illuminating at least one brake light of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric braking system and methods for a utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a rotor coupled to a rear axle of the utility vehicle. A caliper is electrically controlled to provide stopping force to the rotor. A spring is pre-loaded to actuate the caliper when additional stopping force is needed. A controller controls the activation of the caliper by generating an electrical braking signal to control operation of the caliper based on a brake position signal generated from a brake pedal position sensor.

Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided with motor braking and includes a locking differential that provides positive braking on slippery surfaces so as to prevent relative movement of the first and second output shafts of the differential.

Abstract: A lightweight utility vehicle brake lighting system comprising a brake pedal position sensor, a controller and a brake light circuit. The brake pedal position sensor senses the position, e.g., amount of depression, of a vehicle brake pedal. The controller of interprets a brake pedal position signal from the brake pedal position sensor to determine the position of the brake pedal. When the controller determines that the brake pedal has been depressed to initiate a braking operation of the vehicle, the controller transmits a brake light signal to an electronic switching device, such as a relay switch, of the brake light circuit. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching closes to complete, or close, the brake light circuit to enable a current flow through the brake light circuit, thereby illuminating at least one brake light of the vehicle.

Abstract: A protection system for at least one electrical component of a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system comprises a hood having a top panel and a side panel. The top panel can be connected to an interior side of at least one wall of a vehicle body structure. The side panel extends substantially perpendicularly from an edge of the top panel and can be connected to a top side of a vehicle floor structure.

Abstract: A vehicle operation control switch for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The vehicle operation control switch includes an ‘Off’ setting or position. When the switch is placed in the ‘Off’ position, the switch disables a vehicle prime mover that generates motive forces utilized to propel the vehicle when enabled. The switch additionally includes a ‘Forward’ setting or position, whereby when the switch is moved to the ‘Forward’ setting, the vehicle prime mover is enabled and the vehicle is configured in a ‘Forward’ movement operational mode. Furthermore, the switch includes a ‘Reverse’ setting for enabling the vehicle prime mover and placing the vehicle in a ‘Reverse’ movement operational mode.

Abstract: A vehicle wiring harness for a lightweight utility vehicle is provided. The wiring harness comprises a plurality of vehicle function components integrally connected to a plurality of branch wires. Thus, the wiring harness is fabricated to form a unitary wiring harness that includes the function components.

Abstract: A power cell charge monitoring system for a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The monitoring system can comprise a receptacle module electrically connectable to at least one power cell of the vehicle. The receptacle module is removably mateable with a power cell charger connector and can comprise at least one indicator light. The receptacle module can be configured to utilize the indicator light to indicate a charge status of the power cell when the receptacle module is mated with the charger connector.

Abstract: A tow harness is provided that that spans between connectors of respective towing and towed vehicles. The tow harness includes a first end that mates with the connector of the tow vehicle and includes a first jumper for completing a brake control circuit between a brake of the tow vehicle and a brake signal source of the tow vehicle. A second end mates with the connector of the towed vehicle and includes a second jumper that completes the brake control circuit between the brake signal source of the towing vehicle and a brake of the towed vehicle. In other embodiments a brake system includes an electric brake that includes inputs for a brake control signal. A brake controller receives power from a battery and generates the brake control signal. An electrical connector includes signal terminals connected to the brake control signal and power terminals connected to the battery.

Abstract: A protection system for an accelerator and brake (A&B) assembly of a utility vehicle is provided. The protection system comprises a brake pedal (BP) protective boot that conforms with and sealingly fits around a brake pedal arm. The protection system additionally includes an accelerator pedal (AP) protective boot that conforms with and sealingly fits around an accelerator pedal arm.

Abstract: A modular accelerator and brake (A&B) assembly for controlling the movement of a utility vehicle is provided. The modular A&B assembly controls operation of a vehicle prime mover and braking assembly. The modular A&B assembly includes a mounting plate coupled to a frame structure of the vehicle. An accelerator pedal subassembly includes an accelerator pedal shaft that is rotationally mounted within a pair of opposing apertures in a pair of accelerator mounts extending from an underside of the mounting plate. A brake pedal subassembly includes a brake pedal shaft that rotationally mounted within a pair of opposing apertures in a pair of brake mounts extending from the underside of the mounting plate. The accelerator pedal shaft and the brake pedal shaft are mounted to the mounting plate such that an axis of the accelerator pedal shaft is offset from an axis of the brake pedal shaft.

Abstract: A horn activation system for a lightweight utility vehicle can comprises a pressure sensitive horn switch (PSHS) operably connected to a horn button. The horn button is operable with the PSHS such that pressing the horn button compresses the PSHS. The horn activation system additionally can comprise an electronic switching device communicatively connected to the PSHS. The electronic switching device is responsive to a horn activation signal transmitted by the PSHS when the PSHS is compressed in response to depression of the horn button. The horn activation system further can comprise a horn configured to receive a current flow resulting from the electronic switching device closing a horn control circuit upon receipt of the horn activation signal.