The frame or chassis is the skeleton that provides structural support to the rest of the vehicle. Basically, the frame is what you’re left with once you remove every system there is: from the engine and transmission down to the body panels and wheels.
The frame acts as the primary load-bearing structure that supports the weight of the vehicle and ensures that it is stable enough when cornering or traversing over uneven roads.
Older large cars, pickups, and SUVs have a frame in which the powertrain rests and to which the steering and suspension parts are attached (see illustration).
The vehicle body is a separate part that contains the car’s seats, dash panel with the A/C plenum, and most of the vehicle’s electrical system including modules (PCM/ECM included). The steering column is also mounted in the shell of the body, along with the brake master cylinder and its booster. This type of vehicle frame can be replaced.
Unibody vehicles are typically newer cars where the frame is stamped as part of the body rather than the body being mounted on a separate frame. On those, you can’t replace the vehicle frame without replacing the entire body of the car.
Tips On How to Access the Car Frame
Lifting the vehicle is one of the ways you can access the frame. But before doing this, it’s important to check if the body and frame are separated.
Make sure that there are no more wires and bolts connecting the two parts for a seamless lift. It’s also a good idea to lift from the windows, so you might want to roll them down before picking your car apart.
When lifting the frame, it’s advisable to have a movable cart that can store the body in the meantime as you work on the frame.
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