car frame

Auto's structural base

The car frame is the structural skeleton of a vehicle—the rigid foundation to which the body, engine, suspension, and other components attach.

Traditional body-on-frame construction uses a separate frame beneath the body; modern unibody designs integrate frame and body into one structure.

The car frame was rusted through from years of salt exposure.

Related
  • chassisStructural support base
  • bodyPhysical structure, living thing
  • steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
  • weldingHeat-fusing metal pieces
  • subframeSupporting frame beneath another

rails · crossmember · rust · rust bucket · structural · skeleton · backbone · suspension · mounting · rigid · crumple · crumple zone · reinforced · undercarriage · platform · girder · beams · tubular

Categories
Opposites
structural vs. cosmetic vehicle components

car framebody panels

car body · fenders · hood · quarter panels · bodywork

rigid structure vs. flexible/soft components

car frameupholstery

Furniture's textile layer

seat cushions · weatherstripping · rubber seals · carpet · headliner

construction method

car frameunibody

Integrated structural shell

monocoque

Family

car, frame, cars, carriage, carry, carrier, carried, carrying, carries

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G