Patent ID: 6769178
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B21D,B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a vehicle frame assembly that is adapted to be resiliently supported upon a plurality of vehicle wheels by a suspension system and is adapted to serve as a platform upon which a body portion of the vehicle can be mounted comprising the steps of:(a) providing first and second side rails that each extend the entire length of the vehicle frame assembly to be manufactured; (b) hydroforming the first and second side rails so as to have respective integrally formed mounting structures; (c) providing structures on the first and second side rails to facilitate the connection of a front bumper assembly and a rear bumper assembly thereto; (d) providing a plurality of cross members; (e) securing the cross members to the first and second side rails to form a vehicle frame assembly that is adapted to be resiliently supported upon a plurality of vehicle wheels by a suspension system and is adapted to serve as a platform upon which a body portion of the vehicle can be mounted; and (f) connecting a component of the vehicle directly to the integrally formed mounting structures of the first and second side rails without the use of brackets or other mounts.