What's the Difference Body on Frame and Unibody?

What's the Difference Body on Frame and Unibody?

There are many things to consider when shopping for an SUV or truck, and one of the most important is whether you need a body-on-frame vehicle or one with unibody construction. Now, that may sound kind of technical, but it really comes done to how you plan on using your SUV or truck.

What Does Body on Frame Mean?

Body-on-frame construction is the traditional method of building a car and was used by just about all motor vehicles – cars and trucks – until 1922 when the Lancia Lambda was introduced. (U.S.-made vehicles relied on body-on-frame construction up to the debut of the 1940 Nash 600.)

As its name implies, this style of building a car starts with a robust steel frame that looks a bit like a ladder. The other pieces of the vehicle, including its body, are then attached to the frame.

What Does Unibody Mean?

Starting with cars like the 1922 Lancia Lambda and 1940 Nash 600, automakers began introducing vehicles manufactured with unibody construction, which combines the body and frame into one unit. The result is a car that’s lighter and more fuel-efficient than a comparable body-on-frame vehicle, with a stiffer structure for a more refined driving experience. 

What Are the Benefits of a Body-on-Frame Truck or SUV?

Body-on-frame vehicles have two key advantages: The first is a significant upgrade is pulling potential since their frames provide much sturdier foundations for moving heavier trailers and bigger payloads. Yet although they’re incredibly strong, those frames actually can flex more than a unibody structure. It makes body-on-frame rides better suited to the trails since that flexibility helps keep all four wheels on the ground on uneven surfaces.

Should I Buy a Body-on-Frame Truck or SUV?

The short answer is that drivers who are looking for the most extreme off-road performance and the ability to pull the heaviest loads should definitely look at body-on-frame choices, while most other drivers will be satisfied with unibody vehicles.

That said, there is only a limited number of body-on-frame vehicles still on sale in the United States (as of spring 2024), led by:

• Cadillac Escalade

• Chevrolet Suburban

• Chevrolet Tahoe

• Chevrolet Silverado

• Chevrolet Colorado

• Ford Expedition

• Ford Bronco

• Ford Ranger

• Ford F-150

• GMC Yukon

• GMC Sierra

• GMC Canyon

• INFINITI QX80

• Jeep Wrangler

• Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer

• Jeep Gladiator

• Lexus GX

• Lexus LX

• Lincoln Navigator

• Mercedes-Benz G-Class

• Nissan Frontier

• Nissan Titan

• Nissan Armada

• Toyota Tacoma

• Toyota Tundra

• Toyota 4Runner

• Toyota Sequoia

• Toyota Land Cruiser

All other SUVs, even trail-focused alternatives like the new Land Rover Defender, rely on unibody construction. Among trucks, the Ford Maverick, Honda Ridgeline, and Hyundai Santa Fe stand out as the only three unibody pickups.

Now that you know more about body-on-frame trucks and SUVs, you can start shopping here, start selling here, and enjoy the whole HMSMC site from wherever you have an Internet connection.