Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger capsule having a first end and a second end, a front module coupled to the first end of the passenger capsule and including a front axle assembly, an engine coupled to the front module, a rear module coupled to the second end of the passenger capsule and including a rear axle assembly, and a transaxle coupled to the rear module and the engine. The transaxle includes a transfercase component and a differential component contained at least partially within a housing that defines a structural component of the rear module. The rear axle assembly includes at least one of an upper control arm, a lower control arm, a spring, and a damper that is directly coupled to the transaxle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger capsule having a first end and a second end, a front module coupled to the first end of the passenger capsule and including a front axle assembly, an engine coupled to the front module, a rear module coupled to the second end of the passenger capsule and including a rear axle assembly, and a transaxle coupled to the rear module and the engine. The transaxle includes a transfercase component and a differential component contained at least partially within a housing that defines a structural component of the rear module. The rear axle assembly includes at least one of an upper control arm, a lower control arm, a spring, and a damper that is directly coupled to the transaxle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger capsule, a front module, an engine coupled to the front module, a rear module, a transaxle, and a plurality of interfaces. The passenger capsule includes a structural shell having a first end and a second end, and the front module is coupled to the first end of the passenger capsule and has a first longitudinal frame member, a second longitudinal frame member, and a front axle assembly. The rear module is coupled to the second end of the passenger capsule and includes a rear axle assembly. The transaxle is coupled to the rear module and the engine, and the transaxle includes a housing that defines a structural component of the rear module.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger capsule, a front module, a rear module, a lift structure, and a plurality of interfaces. The passenger capsule includes a structural shell having a first end and a second end. The front module includes a first longitudinal frame member, a second longitudinal frame member, and a front axle assembly. The rear module is coupled to the second end of the passenger capsule and includes a rear axle assembly. The lift structure includes a first protrusion extending from the first longitudinal frame member and defining a first aperture and a second protrusion extending from the second longitudinal frame member and defining a second aperture. The first aperture and the second aperture form a pair of front lift points.

Abstract: A vehicle subassembly includes first and second hydraulic cylinders each having an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A fluid circuit is hydraulically connected to the first and second hydraulic cylinders and includes a valve movable between a first position where the upper chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder and the lower chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder are hydraulically connected and the lower chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder and the upper chamber of the second cylinder are hydraulically connected, and a second position where the upper chamber and the lower chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder are hydraulically connected and the upper chamber and lower chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder are hydraulically connected. A control unit is operable to position the valve in at least one of the first position and the second position based on an operating variable of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for use with a vehicle includes a first hydraulic cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder, and a fluid circuit. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder each include an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The fluid circuit is hydraulically coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder and includes a valve that is movable between a first position and a second position. When the valve is in the first position, the upper and lower chambers of each hydraulic cylinder are hydraulically coupled to the opposite chamber of the other cylinder. When the valve is in the second position, the upper chamber of each hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the lower chamber of the same cylinder. The valve is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to manual input.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a steering input device, a front steering subsystem, a rear steering subsystem, a first force transmission route, a steering control mechanism, a second force transmission route, and a third force transmission route. The front steering subsystem is coupled to front motive members to steer the front motive members based upon movement of a front steering subsystem input shaft. The rear steering subsystem is coupled to rear motive members to steer the rear motive members based upon movement of a rear steering subsystem input shaft. The first force transmission route extends from the steering input device to the front steering subsystem input shaft, wherein force is transmitted from the input device to the front steering subsystem input shaft to steer the front motive members. The steering control mechanism has a movable input member and a movable output member.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for use with a vehicle includes a first hydraulic cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder, and a fluid circuit. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder each include an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The fluid circuit is hydraulically coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder and includes a valve that is movable between a first position and a second position. When the valve is in the first position, the upper and lower chambers of each hydraulic cylinder are hydraulically coupled to the opposite chamber of the other cylinder. When the valve is in the second position, the upper chamber of each hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the lower chamber of the same cylinder. The valve is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to manual input.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable torsion bar anchor in a motor vehicle having a torsion bar coupled at one end to a movable suspension member. The adjustable torsion bar anchor comprises a bracket coupled to the vehicle. A socket is coupled to the bracket and is in co-axial alignment with the torsion bar. An anchor member is configured to couple to one end of the torsion bar and to rotably engage the socket. The torsion bar is then secured to the vehicle. Another embodiment of the adjustable torsion bar anchor includes another adjustable torsion bar anchor mounted on the vehicle with the tension rod of each anchor coupled to a tension tube configured to engage each tension rod and wherein the tension bar anchors are mounted opposite each other on a line traverse to the vehicle center line.