Difference Between Body-on-Frame and Unibody?

[VonIsabelle]

The differences between body-on-frame and unibody are as follows: 1. Unibody: The characteristic is the absence of a separate frame, with the entire body integrated as one unit. The engine, transmission system, and suspension system are all installed at designated positions on the body. In terms of safety, high-strength steel is used to reinforce the front, rear, and side panels. The arrangement and combination of steel plates help transfer and disperse impact forces, protecting occupants inside the vehicle. Moreover, with technological advancements, the safety of unibody structures has significantly improved, now being nearly on par with body-on-frame designs. 2. Body-on-Frame: The core feature is a component called the frame (commonly known as the chassis). The frame typically consists of two longitudinal beams and several cross beams, running through the vehicle body, offering high strength and torsional resistance. The powertrain, suspension system, and body of the vehicle are directly or indirectly mounted onto the frame. The frame bears the weight of the vehicle's main components, passengers, cargo, as well as inertial forces and torsional forces from road feedback.