Patent Publication Number: US-2023136767-A1

Title: Off-road vehicle radiator

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/700,352 entitled OFF-HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE and filed Mar. 21, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/174,262 entitled VEHICLE ENGINE MOUNTING and filed Feb. 11, 2021 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,279,423, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/664,597 entitled OFF-HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE that was filed Oct. 25, 2019 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,933,932, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/223,743 entitled OFF-HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE that was filed Dec. 18, 2018 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,723,397, and U.S. application Ser. No. 16/224,308 entitled OFF-HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE that was filed Dec. 18, 2018 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,723,398, both of which are continuations of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/905,321 entitled OFF-HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE and filed Feb. 26, 2018, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,239,571, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/684,863 entitled OFF-HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE that was filed Aug. 23, 2017, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/143,353 entitled OFF-HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE that was filed Apr. 29, 2016 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,771,112, which is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/775,133 entitled OFF-HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE that was filed Feb. 23, 2013 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,327,587, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/485,696 entitled VEHICLE CONFIGURATION that was filed May 31, 2012 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,180,801, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates to side-by-side, recreational off-highway vehicles, their configurations, chassis, suspension, and ergonomics. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Side-by-side recreational off-highway vehicles (“ROVs”) are quite capable in a wide variety of riding environments and situations, whether for sport or utility purposes. The ability of the vehicles to carry multiple occupants in a side-by-side seating arrangement makes them socially enjoyable to ride as well. The vehicles can be easy to enter and exit and easy to operate with controls and ergonomics somewhat similar to automobiles. However, unlike most automobiles, ROVs can be driven on harsh off-road terrain. The extent to which such terrain can be accessed depends on multiple factors, including the vehicle width, suspension, turning radius, under-carriage clearance, wheelbase, center of gravity, and power. The arrangement of these aspects and their interrelations can be important in determining the occupant ride characteristics, reliability, ease of maintenance, and terrain and cargo capabilities of the ROV. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a side-by-side recreational off-highway vehicle having two front wheels and at least two rear wheels. The vehicle includes a chassis, an engine, a transmission, a drive unit, and body panels. The chassis includes a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion. The front portion is coupled to the front wheels. The middle portion is coupled to the rear wheels and surrounds an occupant compartment having at least two side-by-side seats for a driver and at least one passenger. The chassis includes frame members of rectangular cross section and frame members of generally circular or oval cross section. 
     The engine is secured to the rear portion of the chassis. The transmission is secured to the engine. The drive unit is operably coupled to the driven clutch, and drivingly coupled to the rear wheels. 
     The body panels are secured to the chassis and cover most of the frame members of rectangular cross section while leaving exposed many of the frame members of generally circular or oval cross section. A frame member of generally circular cross section extends along right and left lower edges of the middle portion of the chassis. Frame members of generally circular cross section form a roll cage above at least the middle portion of the chassis. The vehicle further includes right and left doors in the middle portion of the chassis. The frame members along the right and left lower edges are positioned below the doors. The frame members of generally circular cross section are also exposed below the roll cage at a forward portion of the middle portion of the chassis. 
     The vehicle also includes a rear cargo box positioned above the drive unit. The rear cargo box has an opening covered with a movable door generally above the engine to access engine components. A separate body panel extends forward of the cargo box and forward of left rear wheel, between the left rear wheel and the driver door. The separate body panel includes an opening allowing air passage to an air intake conduit and an airbox for providing combustion air to the engine. 
     The transmission includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a cooling air intake having a conduit also extending from the opening in the body panel. 
     The body panels include at least one bridging body panel extending from the cargo box to between the engine and the seats. A rear separation panel extends downwardly from the bridging body panel to proximate a floor of the vehicle between the occupant compartment and the engine. The rear separation panel is formed of at least one separate panel secured to the bridging body panel. It further includes a removable portion adjacent an engine component, such as an oil filter and dipstick. 
     The drive unit includes a transaxle fastened to the engine, the drive clutch being driven by the engine and the driven clutch driving the transaxle. The engine and transaxle are mounted to the chassis with vibration isolation members. The airbox, throttle body, and CVT are secured to the engine and transaxle so as to move with the engine and transaxle relative to the chassis. The engine and transaxle form an assembly that bridges from the member mounting the engine to the member mounting the transaxle. The engine is forward of the transaxle, with a front driveline extending forward from the transaxle and extending under the engine. 
     The middle portion of the chassis has a distance from its underside to the ground defining a ground clearance, the driver seat and the passenger seat each having an upwardly facing lower seating surface upon which an occupant rests and a seat back for the back of the occupant to lean against; wherein the vertical distance between a lowest portion of the lower seating surface and the underside of the middle portion of the chassis is less than the ground clearance of the middle portion of the chassis when not vehicle is not loaded. 
     The wheelbase of the vehicle is at least 80 inches and preferably approximately 83 inches. The driver seat includes a seat index point, the seat index point being within 16 inches of the underside of the middle portion of the chassis. The seat index point is preferably positioned longitudinally between a center of the wheelbase and a center of gravity of the vehicle. 
     The vehicle further includes a driver door and a passenger door. The driver door and the passenger door each have a rear pivot and a front latch. The rear pivots also have a downward angle, such that the doors swing rearwardly and downwardly when opening. 
     The passenger door includes an interior grab member forward of the passenger seat back. It is secured to an interior facing side of the passenger door with the grab member being positioned longitudinally near a forward-most portion of the passenger lower seating surface. A medial passenger grab member is secured to the chassis on the medial side of the passenger seat longitudinally near the forward-most portion of the passenger lower seating surface. The vehicle includes a transmission shift lever to the left of the passenger grab bar such that the grab bar is situated laterally between the passenger seat and the shift lever. 
     The vehicle includes a floorboard with an integrally molded upwardly angled footrest forward of the passenger seat. The driver floorboard includes a heel step between the driver seat and the throttle pedal. A cup holder is also integrally molded with the floorboard. 
     The rear suspension is coupled between the chassis rearward portion and the rear wheels and includes right and left suspension arms and right and left shock absorbers. A rear sway bar is coupled between the right and left suspension arms. The sway bar extends rearwardly from the arms and mounts to the rearward-most end of the chassis rearward portion. The mounts are rearward of the shock absorbers. 
     The distance between the driver seat and the passenger seat is greater than the distance between the driver seat and the driver door and the distance between the passenger seat and the passenger door. Preferably, the distance between the seats is at least twice the distance between the passenger door and the passenger seat. 
     Further with regard to the engine and transmission arrangement, a forward end of the engine is mounted to the chassis and a rearward portion of the transmission is coupled to the chassis, the engine and transmission bridging from a forward engine mounting location to a rearward transmission mounting location. The engine is mounted to the chassis with at least one vibration isolation member and the transmission is mounted to the chassis with at least one vibration isolation member. A first mounting plate is fastened to the engine and to the transmission to secure the engine and transmission together. A second mounting plate is fastened directly to the transmission and fastened to the first mounting plate. The CVT has a drive clutch engaged with the engine and a driven clutch engaged with the transmission. The CVT is not rigidly mounted directly to the chassis. The engine, transmission, CVT, throttle body, and airbox are vibration isolated together relative to the chassis. 
     The airbox includes an air outlet and the engine includes an air inlet. The airbox air outlet is substantially in line with the throttle body and the engine air inlet. Furthermore, the distance from the airbox air outlet and the engine air inlet is less than a distance from a front end of the engine to a rear end of the transmission. A forward-extending driveshaft extends from a bottom end of the transmission beneath the engine toward the front wheels. 
     A method for assembling a vehicle is also provided. An engine is secured rigidly to a transmission to form an engine and transmission assembly. The assembly is moved through the mid chassis portion and through a front end of the rear chassis portion to within the rear chassis portion. The engine and transmission assembly are then secured within the rear chassis portion. The CVT is secured to the engine and transmission after securing the engine to the transmission and before moving the assembly to within the rear chassis portion. 
     At the front of the vehicle, right and left headlights are secured to a front end of the chassis forward portion. A radiator is secured within a front end of the chassis forward portion directly between the headlights. The chassis forward portion also includes front frame members and right and left bumper bars removably fastened to the front of the front frame members. The radiator is positioned between the front frame members and the bumper bars. The right and left headlights are positioned outwardly of the right and left bumper bars respectively. A winch is mounted below the radiator. 
     A fuel tank is secured by the chassis middle portion at least partially beneath the passenger seat. The fuel tank extends beneath and behind the lower seating portion, the tank having a height that increases behind the lower seating portion relative to the portion of the tank directly beneath the lower seating portion. A fuel pump is secured to the portion of the fuel tank behind the lower seating portion. The chassis includes a frame member beneath the passenger seat and on top of the fuel tank. The fuel tank includes a lower edge having a recess, the recess nesting with a lower chassis frame member. The fuel tank includes a corner recess into which a battery is positioned. The chassis further includes a battery tray adjacent the corner recess in the fuel tank. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
         FIGS.  1 A-D  are isometric views of the vehicle of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  2 A-B  are isometric views of the chassis of the vehicle shown in  FIGS.  1 A-D ; 
         FIGS.  3 A-C  are top and side views of the body panels of the vehicle shown in  FIGS.  1 A-D ; 
         FIG.  3 D  is an isometric view of a portion of the vehicle of the present invention with the hood and dash removed; 
         FIGS.  4 A-D  are isometric views into the occupant cabin of the vehicle; 
         FIG.  4 E  is a side-elevational view of a portion of the vehicle illustrating passenger seating; 
         FIG.  5 A  is an isometric view of an access panel in position with the vehicle; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a view with the panel of  FIG.  5 A  removed; 
         FIG.  5 C  is an isometric view of the panel of  FIG.  5 A ; 
         FIG.  6    is an isometric view of the front suspension of the vehicle of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  7 A-C  are isometric views of the rear suspension of the vehicle; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a side-elevational view of the engine and transaxle in place in the chassis of the vehicle; 
         FIG.  8 B  is an isometric partially exploded view of the engine and transaxle assembly; 
         FIG.  8 C  is an isometric view of the engine mounting location in the chassis; 
         FIG.  8 D  is a top view of the engine and transaxle assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG.  9 A  is a rear isometric view of the air intake assembly installed with the engine; 
         FIG.  9 B  is a side-elevational view of the engine, transaxle, and air intake tract of the present invention; 
         FIG.  9 C  is a close-up isometric view of the airbox mounting; 
         FIG.  9 D  is a right side-elevational view of the airbox to engine path; 
         FIG.  9 E  is an isometric view of the air intake assembly of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  9 F-G  are rear views inside the airbox; 
         FIG.  10 A  is a front isometric view of the front of the vehicle with the body panels removed; 
         FIG.  10 B  is a top view of the front of the vehicle with the body panels removed; 
         FIG.  10 C  is a side-elevational view of the front of the vehicle with the body panels and headlights removed; 
         FIG.  11 A  is a side-elevational view of the fuel tank within the chassis of the vehicle; and 
         FIGS.  11 B-C  are isometric views of the fuel tank of  FIG.  11 A . 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic side view of a vehicle having a center of mass at least approximately superimposed in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions with the center of mass of the passenger according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic view of a seat of the vehicle of  FIG.  12    according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in the drawings listed above, the invention is a vehicle that includes side-by-side seating for a driver and a passenger (“occupants”). The vehicle is preferably less than about 50 inches wide such that it can access trails developed and designated for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Thus, as shown in  FIG.  1 A , a vehicle  10  includes a chassis  12 , a driver seat  14 , a passenger seat  16 , and a steering wheel  18  forward of the driver seat  14 . The chassis  12  supports the vehicle components including the seats  14 ,  16 . In alternate embodiments, additional seating may be provided rearward of the driver and passenger seats  14 ,  16 . 
     The chassis also supports a roll cage  20 , safety nets  22 , and body panels  24 . The chassis is constructed with rectangular metal tubing as well as round (or somewhat round) tubing, referring to the cross-sectional shape of the tubing. Generally, the rectangular tubing is hidden by the body panels  24 , whereas most of the outwardly visible tubing is the round tubing. The round tubing is strong for perimeter support and has a desirable appearance that may signify off-road ability to some users. The round tubing is able to provide impact protection in strategic locations as well, such as along the bottom edge of the vehicle, the front and rear of the vehicle, and for the roll cage. The square tubing is advantageous for inner chassis support as it can be used to secure vehicle components without the need for as many tabs fixed to the chassis. Items can be secured to the rectangular tubing sides, such as by a simple weld or a fastener. 
     The vehicle  10  also includes a prime mover, preferably a gas-powered engine  26 . The engine is held by the chassis  12 . The engine is drivingly coupled to a pair of front wheels  28 , having front tires  30  mounted thereon, the front wheels  28  being held to the chassis  12  with a front suspension  32 . The engine is also drivingly coupled to a pair of rear wheels  34 , having rear tires  36  mounted thereon, the rear wheels  34  being held to the chassis  12  with a rear suspension  38 . Front and rear suspensions  32 ,  38  will be described in more detail below in connection with  FIGS.  6  and  7   . 
       FIG.  1 B  also illustrates a general outer view of the vehicle  10 . Front-opening driver and passenger doors  40 ,  42  are provided for ingress and egress to the occupant cabin having the seats  14 ,  16 . The doors  40 ,  42  are constructed with door frames  44  that are hinged at the rear to the chassis and latched at the front to the chassis. Door panels  46  are preferably secured to the door frames  44 . Door panels  46  cover the outside of the door frames  44 , provide a pleasing external appearance and help to safely secure the occupants in the vehicle  10 . Note that door frames  44  and door panels  46  do not extend vertically over the entire access opening on the side of the vehicle. The nets  22  help to cover some of the space, while allowing the vehicle to feel open and provide good visibility for the occupants in the generally off-highway terrain to which the vehicle is suited. Alternatively, nets  22  may be replaced with other structure or support to protect the driver and passenger while still allowing good visibility. 
     Spaced below the door panels  46  are foot panels  48 . Foot panels  48  cover a lower portion of the chassis  12  and aid in keeping the occupants&#39; feet and legs within the vehicle  10 . Panels extending forward of the foot panels provide front fenders  50 , arching over the front tires  30 . Left and right-side panels  52 ,  54 , extend above and behind foot panels  48 . Side panels  52 ,  54  are secured to the chassis  12  rearward of the door panels  46 . The space between side panels  52 ,  54 , foot panels  48  and front fenders  50  is the access opening in the side of the vehicle  10 . This opening is selectively closed by the doors  40 ,  42 . 
     The front of the vehicle  10  is also shown in  FIG.  1 B . A hood panel  56  extends between the upper portions of front fenders  50  to cover a top front portion of the chassis  12 . A grill panel  58  extends downwardly from the front of the hood panel  56 . A bumper panel  60  is situated at the lower end of the grill panel  58  and may be an integral extension thereof. An opening may be formed in the bumper panel  60  to accommodate a winch  62  at the front of the vehicle  10 . A pair of headlights  64  are preferably secured to the chassis  12  on either side of the grill panel  58 , beneath the forward-most portion of front fenders  50 . 
     The rear outer aspects of the vehicle are shown in  FIG.  1 C . A rear cargo box  66  is provided rearward of the seats  14 ,  16 . Rear fenders  68  extend on either side of the cargo box  66 . The rear fenders  68  extend forward from the box to the side panels  52 ,  54 . Fenders  68  extend downwardly partially along the rearward edges of the side panels  52 ,  54 . Taillights  70  are secured to a rear grill that is in turn attached to the cargo box  66 . Taillights  70  preferably include running lights and braking lights. They may alternatively include backup lights and/or turn signals. 
     A head panel  72  bridges the space between the cargo box  66  and the occupant cabin. The head panel includes an upper engine access door  74 . This door preferably provides access to the top of the cylinder head (the valve cover and spark plugs) of the engine  26 . Thus, minor maintenance tasks can be performed on the engine without removal of the head panel  72  and cargo box  66 . The access door  74  is preferably secured closed with fasteners on its lower corners. 
     Within the occupant cabin a dashboard  76  is positioned forward of the seats  14 ,  16  and steering wheel  18 . The dashboard  76  extends rearwardly from hood  56  and front fenders  50 . The dashboard  76  includes openings for the steering column and the instrument gauge. In standard fashion it allows room beneath for the occupant&#39;s legs. A floorboard  78  is also seen in  FIG.  1 C  beneath the dashboard. A passenger area front panel  80  extends between the floorboard  78  and the dashboard  76 . Completing the occupant envelope is a passenger area rear panel  82  shown in  FIG.  1 B . The rear panel  82  extends behind the seats between the floorboard  78  and the head panel  72 . These panels are preferably constructed of molded plastic. They are secured to the chassis  12  with fasteners. 
     Portions of the drive system of vehicle  10  are shown in  FIG.  1 C . A transaxle  84  is positioned rearward of engine  26 . The transaxle  84  includes the transmission gears and rear gearcase to drive the rear axles. A continuously variable transmission (CVT  86 ) is positioned on the left side of the engine  26  and transaxle  84  and spans between the two to provide power from the engine  26  to the transaxle  84 . The airbox  88  is also visible on the rear of the vehicle  10 . The airbox  88  being positioned at the rear end of the vehicle, it is easily accessible for maintenance. 
     The left side of the vehicle  10  includes an air intake opening  90  within the left side panel  52 . An engine air intake duct  92  and a CVT air intake duct  94  both extend from this opening  90 , to the airbox  88  and the CVT  86 , respectively. 
       FIG.  1 D  illustrates some of the components from the rear right side of the vehicle  10 . A fuel fill opening  96  is provided with the right side panel  54 . A glove box  98  is recessed into the dashboard  76 . An instrument gauge  100  is secured in the dashboard  76  preferably between the glove box  98  and the steering wheel  18 . A receiver hitch  102  is provided extending from the rearward-most portion of the chassis  12 , rearward of the transaxle  84 . 
     Details of the chassis  12  are seen in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . The chassis  12  includes a chassis front portion  104 , a chassis mid portion  106 , and a chassis rear portion  108 . The front portion  104  secures the front suspension  32 , the steering mechanism (not shown), and the winch  62 . It also supports other components, such as headlights, a radiator, electrical lines, and hoses discussed in more detail below. The mid portion  106  secures the occupant area and related components of the vehicle  10 . The rear portion  108  secures the rear suspension  38 , the engine  26 , and the transaxle  84 . 
     More specifically the chassis front portion  104  includes front bars  110 , front support frame  112 , bumper bars  114 , and various brackets  116 . Front bars  110  are round tubular frame pieces welded together and extending along the front of the chassis  12 , curving slightly outwardly from top to bottom. The front bars  110  are bolstered behind by the front support frame  112 . Bumper bars  114  are fastened to front bars  110  forward of front bars  110 . As discussed below, bumper bars  114  provide securement and protection for the radiator and help secure the lights and winch  62 . 
     The chassis mid portion  106  includes undercarriage frame members  118  that are secured at their forward end to the chassis front portion  104 . Preferably the undercarriage frame members are tubes with rectangular cross sections welded together, except for an outer lower rail  120  that has a larger, round cross section. Lower rail  120  extends along the lower sides of the chassis mid portion  106  to protect the chassis from impacts. As seen in  FIGS.  1 A-D , the lower rail  120  is visible below the body panels  24  (including foot panels  48 ), whereas the remainder of the undercarriage frame is generally hidden from view. Lower rail  120  extends on each side of vehicle  10  from the rear of chassis mid portion  106  then bending medially to connect to the narrower chassis front portion  104 . Impact with dirt, rocks, logs, or other terrain may be more common along the portion of the chassis  12  formed by the lower rail  120 . It&#39;s larger, round cross section is well suited to protect the remainder of the vehicle. The remainder of undercarriage frame  118  is preferably welded directly to the inner sides of lower rail  120 . 
     Rising up from undercarriage frame  118  near the bend in lower rail  120  is a front frame member  122  on each side of chassis  12 . Front frame members  122  rise upwardly and forwardly to meet a dash bar  124 . Dash bar  124  extends across the front of chassis mid portion  106  and is also connected to the tops of front bars  110  inboard of the connections to front frame members  122 . Dash bar  124  is also preferably of larger, round cross-sectional shape. After connecting with front frame members  122 , the dash bar  124  bends upwardly and rearwardly to connect to the roll cage  20 . 
     At the rear ends of lower rails  120 , rear frame members  126  extend upwardly, defining the rear corners of chassis mid portion  106 . These frame members, rectangular in cross section, extend upwardly and slightly rearwardly to a connection with a head bar  128  and the rearward end of the roll cage  20 . Head bar  128  extends from one side of the rear of the chassis mid portion  106  to the other. Head bar  128  and the rear frame members  126  frame the upper and sides of a chassis opening into which the engine and transaxle are preferably inserted. These chassis members form the rear structural support for the vehicle. 
     Additional support frame members are provided in the chassis mid portion  106 . Side support members  130  extend between rear frame members  126  and front frame members  122  on each side of the chassis mid portion  106 . Side support members  130  also secure a seat support frame  132  in place. Seat support frame  132  extends across chassis mid portion  106  from one side to the other and includes securement brackets for seats  14 ,  16 . Seat support frame  132  is preferably constructed of two separate weldments-a front weldment and a rear weldment. The front weldment is secured to the rear weldment with longitudinally extending channels between the two. A passenger grip  134  is also fastened to the seat support frame  132 . The passenger grip  134  extends upwardly and forwardly from a front mid portion of the seat support frame  132 . As will be discussed below, the passenger grip  134  extends upwardly on the medial side of the passenger seating area. 
       FIG.  2 B  better illustrates the rear frame members of chassis rear portion  108 . Chassis rear portion  108  includes rear lower frame members  136  along the bottom of the chassis rear portion  108  and rear upper frame members  138  along the top of the chassis rear portion  108 . Rear tubes  140  extend from the upper frame members  138  to the lower frame members  136  at the rearward end of the chassis  12 . In the preferred embodiment, rear tubes  140  extend continuously into lower frame members  136 . Rear tubes  140  preferably are constructed of round cross-sectional tubing. Further rear framing is provided with rear support members  142  extending between lower frame members  136  and upper frame members  138 . These members provide additional structural support and mounting locations for vehicle components, such as the engine  26 , the transaxle  84 , the rear suspension  38 , and the cargo box  66 . 
     The chassis rear portion  108  also includes lower rearward supports  144  that triangulate the connection between the chassis mid portion  106  and the chassis rear portion  108 . Rearward supports  144  extend from the rearward ends of lower rails  120  to the rear lower frame members  136 . These supports also provide securement for engine front mounts  146  in the forward end of the chassis rear portion  108 . Transaxle rear mounts are also provided; they are secured to the rear support members at the rearward end of the chassis rear portion  108 . The engine and transaxle mounts will be shown in more detail in connection with the engine and transaxle discussed below. 
     Also shown in  FIG.  2 B  are tube couplers  150  welded between the rear frame members  126  and the head tube  128 . These couplers also provide securement to the roll cage  120 . 
       FIGS.  3 A through  3 D  illustrate the body panels  24  that are secured to the chassis  12 . Several of the panels have already been mentioned.  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show in more detail several features of the vehicle occupant cabin. Floorboard  78  includes cup holders  152  molded integrally therewith. Floorboard  78  is preferably molded in a single piece. However, it may alternatively be molded in two parts—a driver side and a passenger side, each with cup holders  152 , as well as a driver foot rest  156  and a passenger foot rest  154 . The foot rests are “dead pedals” that the occupants can use for resting a foot or bracing themselves within the vehicle  10 . The foot rests  154 ,  156  are also preferably integrally molded with the floor panels. 
     Additional body panels  24  are within the vehicle cabin including an engine cover  158 , a center console  160 , a battery cover  162 , and a lower engine access panel  164 . Rear panel  82  is formed in two parts—a right side and a left side. The engine cover  158  is formed of a right and a left part, fastened down the middle. The two outer sides extend from the two sides of passenger area rear panels  82  and are attached thereto. The center console  160  is a raised hump between the seats that accommodates the driveline, the shift cable, cooling hoses, and the electrical harness. An opening in the top of the center console  160  allows for movement of the shift lever. The lower engine access panel  164  is held on the forward end of the engine cover and allows access to the oil filter and dipstick, as will be shown in more detail below. 
     An upper engine cover  166  is also provided at the rear of the head panel  72  within the cargo box  66 . Upper engine cover  166  extends integrally from head panel  72 . It includes the upper engine access door  74 , mentioned above. 
       FIG.  3 C  illustrates the right side of the body panels. A fuel fill recess  168  is shown in the right side panel  54 . The forward extent of the passenger area front panel  80  is also well shown here, as well as the rearward extent of the passenger area rear panel  82 . 
       FIG.  3 D  provides a close-up view of the body panels  24  secured on the chassis over numerous vehicle components. A radiator  170  is positioned rearward of the grill panel and between headlight assemblies  64  on the right and left sides of the radiator  170 . The headlight assemblies extend between the front fenders  50  and the grill panel on either side of the upper end of the radiator  170 . With regard to the chassis  12 , the radiator is situated between the bumper bars  114  and the front support frame  112  (see  FIG.  2 A ). 
     Also shown among other components is a brake reservoir  174 , which is accessible under the hood panel  56 . Several components are accessible under the hood panel  56 , including the radiator  170 , the headlight assemblies  172 , a steering assembly  176 , and portions of the front suspension  32 . Above the hood and other body panels, roll cage couplers are provided at the upper ends of the dash bar  124 . Note that storage space  180  is also provided under the hood panel  56 . A bin or other member may be advantageously provided under the hood for this purpose. As several components along with storage space  180  may be accessed under the hood panel  56 , hand fasteners are preferably provided to secure hood panel  56  in place. 
       FIGS.  4 A-D  illustrate various ergonomic aspects of the vehicle  10 . The vehicle occupant cabin is shown with the seats  14 ,  16 , floorboard  78 , doors  40 ,  42 , and controls including the steering wheel  18 . The doors include door latches  182  that may be opened from the outside of front of the rearwardly opening doors. The doors  40 ,  42  are hinged at a slight angle such that they swing outwardly and downwardly. Thus, they stay open due to gravity until closed. Nets  22  or other structure may be secured to the top and bottoms of the rearward ends of the doors  40 ,  42  to provide additional protection to the occupants. In place of nets, additional structure may be provided to provide impact protection and securement within the cabin. 
     The door frames  44  include upper and lower bars over which the door panels  46  are secured. An interior passenger door hand hold  184  extends from the upper bar to the lower bar on the passenger door frame  44  above and to the right of the front of the passenger seat  16 . Door hand hold  184  is angled forwardly as it extends upwardly so as to provide a comfortable grip to the occupants. 
     In the case of the passenger door handle, it provides a convenient place for the passenger to grasp when riding to steady himself or herself as the vehicle  10  moves. The passenger may comfortably grasp the door handle  184  with the right hand and the passenger grab bar or grip  134  with the left hand. The handle  184  and bar  134  are located at the forward end of the seating area at nearly the same longitudinal location along the vehicle  10 . The grab bar  134  also helps to separate the passenger from interfering with the operation of the vehicle. For example, the bar  134  separates the passenger from a shift lever  188 . Thus, the passenger&#39;s leg will not bump the shift lever  188  that extends up through the center console  100 . The grab bar is preferably a bar of round cross section with a rubber grip on the upper end thereof. The door handles  184 ,  186  may also have rubber grips. 
     A throttle pedal  190  and a brake pedal  192  are also accessible to the driver seated in the driver seat  14 . As the preferred embodiment of the vehicle utilizes a CVT, a clutch pedal is not shown, although can be provided in alternate embodiments. The pedals  190 ,  192  are forward of and slightly above a heel rest  194 . Heel rest  194  is provided in the floorboard  78  as an angled face providing a step for locating the heel of the driver by feel. This allows the driver to easily place his or her foot at the proper location to operate the vehicle  10  even while traversing rough terrain. Undercarriage frame  118  may extend behind the floorboard  78  adjacent the underside of heel rest  194  to provide additional support. The floorboard rearward of heel rest  194  may be sloped to provide for the step of heel rest  194 . Heel rest  194  extends between driver footrest  156  and a floorboard hump. It also extends on the passenger side of floorboard  78  between the passenger footrest  154  and floorboard hump  196 . Floorboard hump  196  houses a portion of the driveline, hoses, and electrical wires. 
       FIGS.  4 A and  4 E  show the position of the upper and lower door hinges  198 ,  200 . The hinges are secured between the side support members  130  and the door frame  44  on each door. The hinges may be any member allowing pivotal movement between the door  40  and the chassis  12 . As discussed above, the hinge axis is tilted rearwardly in the preferred embodiment illustrated, such that the door swings rearwardly and downwardly when opening. 
       FIG.  4 A  also shows some detail of the head panel  72  that extends over the head bar  128  rearward of the seats  14 ,  16 . Head panel  72  bridges the space between the cargo box  66  and the passenger area rear panel  82 . Head panel  72  includes raised portions rearward of the tops of the seats  14 ,  16  with a recess between the raised portions for rearward visibility. 
     The arrangement of the vehicle  10  provides a low center of gravity and places the driver and passenger low in the vehicle near the center of gravity of the vehicle. This helps improve the stability and ride quality of the occupants over rough terrain. Extending the wheelbase to over 80 inches, preferably about 83 inches also aids in the stability of the vehicle and allows the positioning of the seats  14 ,  16  lower in the chassis  12 . 
       FIGS.  5 A-C  illustrate the lower engine access panel  164  that is rearward of and laterally between the seats  14 ,  16  in the vehicle cabin. A panel fastener  202  secures the access panel to the rearward end of the center console  160 . The fastener  202  employs a tab that may be turned by hand to remove the panel. The shape of the access panel  164  continues the shape of the center console  160  and transitions to the shape of the engine cover  158  as the access panel  164  extends rearwardly. 
     With the lower engine access panel  164  removed, an oil filter  204  and dipstick  206  may be accessed as shown in  FIG.  5 B . As shown in  FIG.  5 C , the access panel  164  includes a fastener recess  207  in which the panel fastener is placed. Securement tabs  208  extend from the sides of the panel to engage the surrounding engine cover  158 . Once the fastener  202  is secure the tabs also secure the access panel  164  in place. This allows access to engine parts without difficult or timely disassembly of vehicle components. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates the front suspension  32  of vehicle  10 . It also shows in some detail the chassis front portion  104 . The front suspension is constructed of right and left four-bar linkages each side including the chassis, the upper arm  212 , the lower front A-arm  214 , and the knuckle assembly  216 . The exact angles, lengths, and spacing of the connections between the links is selected to determine the travel of the wheel connected to a hub  218  attached to the knuckle assembly  216 . 
     Steering rods  220  are coupled between the steering assembly (not shown) and the knuckle assembly  216 . Right and left “half shaft” front axles also move with the suspension, connected between the front gear box (not shown) and the hub  218 . Shock absorbers  224  with springs are coupled between the chassis, specifically brackets on the front bars  110 , and the upper arms  212 . Loads are transferred through the front bars  110  to the dash bar  124 , the roll cage  20 , and the front frame members  122  and so forth to bridge to the rear of the vehicle  10 . 
     Turning to the rear suspension,  FIGS.  7 A through  7 C  are illustrative. Somewhat similar to the front suspension  32 , rear suspension  38  is preferably constructed with a four-bar linkage arrangement. Each side of the suspension includes an upper arm  226 , a lower A-arm  228 , and a rear knuckle  232 . The upper and lower arms  226 ,  228  are secured to the chassis rear portion  108  through suspension brackets  230  secured between rear support members  142  and rear lower frame members  136 . A rear shock and spring assembly  234  is secured between the lower A-arm  228  and a shock absorber bracket  236  on each side. The shock absorber brackets  236  are secured to the rear support members  142  and rear upper frame members  138 . 
     The rear sway bar assembly interacts with the rear suspension  38 . A sway bar  238  links the right and left lower A-arms  228 . Sway bar  238  extends rearward of the rear tubes  140  and is mounted to the rear tubes  140  with sway bar mounts  240  secured to a rear bracket  241  that extends between rear tubes  140 . Sway bar mounts  240  hold sway bar  238  from translational movement while allowing rotational movement. After extending beyond rear tubes  140 , the sway bar  238  bends forward to the outboard sides of the suspension brackets  230  and inboard of the shock absorber and spring assemblies  234 . The forward ends of sway bar  238  are coupled to sway bar links  242  that extend downwardly to couplings with lower A-arms  228 . Lower A-arms  228  include cross members  229  extending from forward to rearward portions of lower A-arms  228 . The lower ends of links  242  are secured to the cross members  229 . See  FIGS.  7 B and  7 C . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8 A-D , the engine  26 , transaxle  84 , and CVT  86  are also positioned within chassis rear portion  108 . The engine  26  is positioned forwardly of the transaxle  84 . The CVT  86  is driven by the engine  26  and drives the transaxle  84 , preferably on the left side of the engine and transaxle. As discussed above, engine front mounts  146  are fastened to the front of the engine crankcase. Engine front mounts  146  are “L” shaped to fasten to the crankcase at various locations and provide a lower mounting location to the chassis rear portion  108 . A frame bracket  244  is held above rear lower frame members  136 . The frame bracket  244  secures isolation members  246  on the top thereof. Isolation members  246  are preferably typical engine mounts that include metal fasteners isolated with rubber to allow vibrational movements of the engine without translating all such engine vibrations to the chassis. 
     The rearward end of the transaxle  84  is secured to the rearward end of the chassis rear portion  108 . As mentioned above, mount brackets  148  are secured to the rearward case of the transaxle  84 . Frame brackets  248  are secured to the rear tubes  140  and the suspension bracket  230 . Frame brackets  248  provide a mount for rear isolation members  250  that are placed between frame bracket  248  and mount bracket  148 . Rear isolation members  250  are similar to isolation members  246 . As will be discussed in more detail below, the engine  26  and transaxle are coupled together. Thus, with two isolation members used at the rear of transaxle  84  and two used at the front of engine  26 , the engine-transaxle assembly is secured to the chassis  12  with four isolation members for a secure arrangement that isolates vibrations from the transmitting to the chassis and vehicle occupants. As the CVT is also coupled to the engine and transaxle, and not directly to the frame members, it too is isolated from the chassis with the isolation members  246 ,  250 . Other components, including the engine air intake tract also benefit from this isolation mounting, as will be described below. 
     The engine  26  and transaxle  84  are coupled with an engine plate  252  and a transaxle plate  254  that are fastened together. A single coupling plate or simply fasteners from the engine to the transaxle are employed in alternate embodiments. The engine plate  252  is fastened to the engine crankcase and includes a portion facing the transaxle plate  254 , which is fastened to the transaxle  84 . The two plates are secured together with fasteners. Providing two plates fastened together provides for the construction of the plates with accurate tolerances for securement to the engine and transaxle mounting locations. 
     The transaxle transfers power to the front axles through a forwardly extending transaxle shaft  256  drivingly coupled to a driveshaft  258 . The driveshaft  258  extends under engine  26  and center console  160  toward the front of the vehicle  10 . The driveshaft  258  extends beneath (and between in plan view) the engine front mounts  146  and isolation members  246 . A spline connection  260  couples the transaxle shaft  156  and driveshaft  258  while allowing some small movement between them as the chassis slightly flexes while the vehicle  10  is in operation. A front driveshaft  262  is coupled to driveshaft  258  to extend the driveline to the front gearbox. The driveshaft  258  and front driveshaft  262  are secured together with another spline connection. A frame coupler  264  is preferably placed near the connection to secure the front driveshaft in place while allowing for rotational movement. 
     The transaxle transfers power to the rear axle through the transaxle rear drive  267  with splined couplings that open to the right and left of the rear portion of the transaxle  84 . The rear half shafts are secured to the transaxle rear drive  267 . 
       FIG.  8 B  further illustrates the interconnection of the engine  26  and the transaxle  84 . The engine plate  252  is secured to the engine  26  with appropriately situated engine plate mount tabs  265  extending therefrom. The plate is preferably fastened to the engine case. The engine plate is manufactured by being cut then stamped to position the tabs  265  correctly for alignment with the engine mount locations. 
     Likewise, the transaxle plate  254  is preferably cut and stamped into shape. Alternatively, it may be forged or cast or made by other methods. Transaxle plate mount tabs  266  are formed to securement to the front of the transaxle case above the transaxle shaft  256 . Six fasteners secure the engine plate  252  to the transaxle plate  254 . 
     In placing the engine into the chassis, the engine  26  and transaxle  84  are fastened together first with mount plates  254 ,  252 , then the assembly is placed within the chassis rear portion  108 . The engine front mounts  146  and transaxle rear mount  148  are preferably secured to the engine  26  and transaxle  84  prior to inserting the assembly as well. In one embodiment, the CVT secured to the engine and transaxle prior to insertion of the assembly. 
       FIG.  8 C  again shows the rear chassis portion  108  without the engine  26  and transaxle  84 . A shift cable  268  is shown held by a bracket. This cable extends from the lower end of the shift lever  188 . It is connected to the shift arm  270  of the transaxle  84  (shown in  FIG.  8 D ). 
       FIG.  8 D  also illustrates the connection of the CVT  86  to the engine  26  and transaxle  84 . The CVT  86  is connected to an input shaft  272  of the transaxle  84  and to a crankshaft  274  of the engine  26 . The CVT  86  includes a drive clutch  276  driven by the crankshaft  274  and a driven clutch  278  mounted on the input shaft  272 . A belt  280  is coupled between the sheaves of the drive and driven clutches  276 ,  278  for achieving continuously variable gear ratios as the crankshaft changes speed. The fixed connection between the engine and transaxle along with the combined isolation mounting of the engine and transaxle to the chassis also aids in the operation of the CVT, as the distance between the axis of rotation of the drive clutch  276  and that of the driven clutch is maintained substantially constant. This helps reduce power losses and increase belt life. 
       FIGS.  9 A-G  illustrate the air intake tract for the engine as well as the CVT cooling air intake and exhaust. The airbox  88  includes an airbox body  282  that is formed of sufficient shape and volume to be tuned to the engine for optimum performance. Note that the airbox  88  is also close to the engine  26  such that the pulsing air needs of the combustion chambers are met with the large volume of the airbox  88 . The airbox body  282  is closed with an airbox cover  284  secured with clips  286  spaced around the periphery thereof. The cover  284  faces rearwardly to be readily accessible for access to the interior of the airbox  88  for maintenance. An airbox lower mount  288  secures the airbox to the transaxle mount bracket  148 , such that the airbox is isolated with the engine  26  and transaxle  84  to move therewith relative to the chassis  12 . 
       FIG.  9 A  also shows the CVT cover  290  positioned over the clutches  276 ,  278 . Removal of the cover allows access to the clutches and belt  280 . 
       FIG.  9 B  further illustrates routing of the engine air intake duct  92  to the airbox from the air intake opening  90  to an airbox flex coupling  292  on the forward portion of the airbox body  282 . The flex coupling allows the airbox  88  to move relative to the intake duct  92 , which is mounted to the chassis  12 . 
     A CVT exhaust duct  294  is also shown in  FIG.  9 B . This duct extends from the rearward end of the CVT  86 , above the driven clutch to an air dump location forward of the CVT  86 . 
       FIG.  9 C  illustrates the lower mounting arrangement of the airbox  88 . The airbox body  282  includes lower mount tabs  296  extending downwardly from the bottom thereof. The tabs  296  are secured with fasteners to the airbox lower mount  288 . As mentioned above, lower mount  288  is in turn secured to the transaxle rear mount  148  that is attached to the isolation members  250 . Thus, the airbox  88  is not directly fixed to the chassis  12 . 
       FIGS.  9 D and  9 E  show the preferred arrangement of intake components between the airbox  88  and the engine  26 . A throttle body  300  and an intake manifold  302  are secured in line with the airbox  88  and engine  26  across a short distance. The length of the throttle body  300  and intake manifold  302  essentially define the distance. Thus, the air from the airbox  88  is readily available to the combustion chamber of the engine  26 . A throttle body coupling  304  is over-molded onto a flange on the forward end of the airbox body  282 . This coupling  304  is clamped to the rearward end of the throttle body  300 . Likewise, a manifold coupling  306  is over-molded onto the rearward end of the intake manifold  302 . The rearward end of the manifold coupling is clamped to the forward end of the throttle body  300 . The couplings  304 ,  306  are somewhat elastic, but are of sufficient rigidity to support the components with the assistance of an airbox upper bracket  308 . Bracket  308  extends between the airbox body  282 , the throttle body  300 , and the intake manifold  302 . Note that fuel injectors  310  are operatively connected to the forward ends of intake manifold  302 . 
       FIG.  9 E  also shows a duct hanger secured to an upper portion of the intake duct  92  to secure the duct to the rear chassis portion  108 . The intake duct  92  is channeled up from the entrance opening to avoid water and debris from proceeding to the airbox  88 . A drain  322  shown in  FIG.  9 F  also aids in removing any moisture that does enter the airbox  88 . A shield  320  forms a wall between an airbox intake opening  318  and an air filter  312 . Thus any moisture is channeled away from the filter  312  to exit drain  322 . 
     A filter mount  314  and a mount fastener  316  secure the air filter in place over a filter frame  326  (seen in  FIG.  9 G ).  FIG.  9 F  also shows an airbox gasket  324  received between airbox body  282  and airbox cover  284 . A recess in the edge of cover  284  helps to hold the gasket  324  in place. 
     Besides the filter frame  326 ,  FIG.  9 G  also shows the airbox exit flange  328 . The flange  328  is in-line with the throttle body  300  and intake manifold  302 , as discussed above. 
     Some aspects of the positioning of radiator  170  were shown and discussed above.  FIGS.  10 A-C  further clarify the arrangement at the front of the vehicle  10 . As noted above, the radiator  170  is positioned laterally between the right and left headlights  64 . Longitudinally, the radiator  170  is positioned between the bumper bars  114  and the front bars  110 . Vertically, the radiator  170  is positioned between the winch  62  and the tops of the bumper bars  114  about even with the tops of the headlights  64 . An oil cooler  330  is positioned adjacent an upper front face of the radiator  170 . A fan  332  is positioned adjacent the rear face of the radiator  170  to pull air through the radiator when needed for additional cooling. 
     Details of a fuel tank  334  will now be described in connection with  FIGS.  11 A through  11 C . The fuel tank  334  is positioned beneath and behind the passenger seat  16 . It is nested into the undercarriage frame  118  of the chassis mid portion  106 . The fuel tank  334  includes a fuel duct  336  and a fuel cap  338 . The fuel duct  336  extends upwardly and outwardly from the rear portion of the tank  334  to a terminus at the fuel fill recess  168  of the right side panel  54 . The cap  338  is securable to the end of the duct  336 . As shown in  FIG.  11 A , the fuel tank  334  is held down by seat support frame  132 . Removal of seat support frame  132  is necessary to remove the fuel tank  334 . The rearward end of fuel tank  334  extends upwardly to provide additional volume rearward of the lower portion of the passenger seat  16 . As shown in  FIG.  11 C , recesses  339  along the lower edges of the fuel tank  334  allow the tank to nest within the undercarriage frame  118 , including lower rail  120 . Thus, the tank is securely held between undercarriage frame  118  and seat support frame  132 . 
       FIG.  11 B  illustrates the positioning of a fuel pump  340  in an upper-most portion of the rear of the tank  334 . A fuel coupling  342  is also positioned adjacent the pump  340 . 
     The front left corner of fuel tank  334  is includes a large recess to receive the vehicle battery. A battery tray  344  is secured to the undercarriage frame  118  to hold the bottom of the battery. 
     The positioning of the fuel tank and the battery under the passenger seat  16  of the vehicle  10  somewhat balances the right to left weight of the vehicle, especially if a passenger is not riding along. This positioning also maintains a low center of gravity with these relatively heavy components—fuel and battery—being at the bottom of the vehicle. 
     Overall, the center of gravity of the vehicle is kept longitudinally and vertically near the hip or lower spine of the driver. The center of mass of the driver is preferably longitudinally between the center of the wheelbase and the center of mass of the vehicle  10 . Vertically, the preferred clearance of the center of the vehicle is approximately 10 inches above the ground. The seat index point (“SIP”) of the driver is approximately 14 inches above the underside of the chassis mid portion  106 . Thus, the occupants feel like they are riding “down in” the vehicle in a low, stabile location. This positioning aids in controlling the vehicle as the occupants are not jostled about as the vehicle  10  is driven over rough terrain. Yet the visibility of the occupants is still adequate. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a second row of seats can be provided. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.