A method of assembling a vehicle of a family of vehicles, including at least a first vehicle and a second vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a front frame module defining at least in part a cockpit of the vehicle, the front frame module comprising:
- a front suspension mounting structure for mounting left and right front suspension assemblies of the vehicle, the left and right front suspension assemblies being configured to operatively connect left and right front wheels of the vehicle to the front frame module;
- providing a rear frame module defining at least in part a motor compartment of the vehicle for supporting a motor of the vehicle, the rear frame module comprising:
- a rear suspension mounting structure for mounting left and right rear suspension assemblies of the vehicle, the left and right rear suspension assemblies being configured to operatively connect left and right rear wheels to the rear frame module;
- and
- a cargo bed support structure for supporting a cargo bed of the vehicle, the cargo bed support structure defining at least in part a cargo bed pivot for pivotably mounting the cargo bed;
- providing a group of cargo beds, including a short cargo bed and a long cargo bed, the long cargo bed having a length that is greater than a length of the short cargo bed;
- when assembling the first vehicle:
- connecting the front frame module to the rear frame module;
- mounting the short cargo bed to the cargo bed pivot;
- mounting first front suspension assemblies and first rear suspension assemblies to the front and rear frame modules respectively;
- and
- mounting first front wheels and first rear wheels to the first front and first rear suspension assemblies respectively,
- the first vehicle having a first wheelbase length measured longitudinally between respective centers of the first front and first rear wheels,
- the first vehicle having a first longitudinal cargo pivot distance measured between the center of the first front wheels and a cargo bed pivot axis defined by the cargo bed pivot;
- when assembling the second vehicle:
- connecting the front frame module to the rear frame module;
- mounting the long cargo bed to the cargo bed pivot;
- mounting second front suspension assemblies and second rear suspension assemblies to the front and rear frame modules respectively;
- and
- mounting second front wheels and second rear wheels to the second front and second rear suspension assemblies respectively,
- the second vehicle having a second wheelbase length measured longitudinally between the respective centers of the second front and second rear wheels,
- the second vehicle having a second longitudinal cargo pivot distance measured between the center of the second front wheels and the cargo bed pivot axis defined by the cargo bed pivot;
- wherein:
- the first and second wheelbase lengths are approximately the same;
- and
- the first and second longitudinal cargo pivot distances are approximately the same.