Subframe attachment system for vehicle

A subframe attachment system for a vehicle having a cargo bed, the subframe attachment system comprising:

• a plurality of mounting brackets configured to be secured to first and second longitudinal rails of a vehicle frame independently of each other, each mounting bracket of the plurality of mounting brackets including a mounting structure configured to be accessible from the cargo bed;
• each mounting bracket of the plurality of mounting bracket further includes:
• an inner member located at an inboard side of a respective longitudinal rail of the first and second longitudinal rails and including a first upper end, a first lower end, and a first body portion, the first upper end positioned above a top side of the respective longitudinal rail and the first lower end positioned below a bottom side of the respective longitudinal rail, the first body portion connecting the first upper end to the first lower end;
• an outer member located at an outboard side of the respective longitudinal rail and including a second upper end, a second lower end, and a second body portion, the second upper end positioned above the top side of the respective longitudinal rail and secured to the first upper end of the inner member, the second lower end positioned below the bottom side of the respective longitudinal rail and secured to the first lower end, the second body portion connecting the second upper end to the second lower end;
• at least one first fastener extending through the first upper end of the inner member and the second upper end of the outer member to secure the inner member and the outer member to each other;
• and
• at least one second fastener extending through the first lower end of the inner member and the second lower end of the outer member to further secure the inner member and the outer member to each other,
• wherein the mounting structure of each mounting bracket extends from the inner member and extends at least partially through a respective access opening in the cargo bed.

A method for securing a plurality of mounting brackets to first and second longitudinal rails of a vehicle frame having a cargo bed secured thereto, the method comprising:

• positioning an inner member of each mounting bracket of the plurality of mounting brackets at an inboard side of a respective longitudinal rail of the first and second longitudinal rails while the cargo bed is secured to the vehicle frame, the inner member includes a first upper end, a first lower end, and a first body portion connecting the first upper end to the first lower end, the first upper end positioned above a top side of the respective longitudinal rail and the first lower end positioned below a bottom side of the respective longitudinal rail;
• positioning an outer member of each mounting bracket of the plurality of mounting brackets at an outboard side of the respective longitudinal rail while the cargo bed is secured to the vehicle frame, the outer member includes a second upper end, a second lower end, and a second body portion connecting the second upper end to the second lower end, the first upper end positioned above a top side of the respective longitudinal rail and the first lower end positioned below a bottom side of the respective longitudinal rail;
• inserting at least one first fastener through the first upper end of the inner member and the second upper end of the outer member to secure the inner member and the outer member to each other;
• and
• inserting at least one second fastener through the first lower end of the inner member and the second lower end of the outer member to further secure the inner member and the outer member to each other.