Vehicle body structure

A multi-piece well for a vehicle body configured to house associated hybrid electronic hardware, the well comprising:

• a well floor having a first side, a second side laterally opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end longitudinally opposite the first end;
• a first frame end support secured to the first end of the well floor and a second frame end support secured to the second end of the well floor, the first and second frame end supports defining opposite end walls of the well, end portions of each of the first and second frame end supports being connected to respective first and second side rails of the vehicle body;
• a first frame side support secured to the first side of the well floor and the first side rail and a second frame side support secured to the second side of the well floor and the second side rail, the first and second frame side supports defining opposite side walls of the well, end portions of each of the first and second frame side supports being connected to the first and second frame end supports;
• and
• a separate support component spanning over an opening defined by the well, end portions of the support component being in direct engagement with and releasably fastened to the first and second frame side supports.

A method for forming a vehicle frame, comprising:

• providing a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal first and second side rails;
• connecting a first cross member to the first and second side rails;
• connecting a second cross member to the first and second side rails;
• and
• forming a well on the vehicle frame, the well including a well floor, first and second end walls and first and second side walls, wherein the forming step includes:
• securing a first end of the well floor to the first cross member wherein the first cross member defines the first end wall of the well,
• securing a second end of the well floor to the second cross member wherein the second cross member defines the second end wall of the well,
• securing a first frame side support to a first side of the well floor wherein the first frame side support defines the first side wall of the well, and connecting the first frame side support to the first and second cross members,
• securing a second frame side support to a second side of the well floor wherein the second frame side support defines the second side wall of the well, and connecting the second frame side support to the first and second cross members, and
• fastening a support component to the first and second frame side supports such that the support component spans over the well floor;
• connecting the first frame side support to the first side rail;
• and
• connecting the second frame side support to the second side rail;
• providing a lid member configured to cover an opening defined by the well, and
• securing the support component to an underside of the lid member.