FRUNK on the Cybertruck?

[Crissa]

I got the impression sandy was being kind

It's an unfinished piece welded to a hefty jig missing its skin and the gigacastings.

-Crissa

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[Dids]

It's an unfinished piece welded to a hefty jig missing its skin and the gigacastings.

-Crissa

I was talking about when he went to canoe

 

[JBee]

I got the impression sandy was being kind

Maybe a little, but his points are all valid in that a modern ladder frame with body on top has both cost and functionality benefits especially if you want to use the same skateboard for multiple vehicles. The body of the vehicle on top can still interface with the ladder frame to form one structure, just like the structural battery is bolted into the bottom of the MY.

For example, with the 4680 structural pack they had to increase the cell wall thickness 3x before they could make use of it structurally in a pack. Further, the pack is one piece, meaning it can only be completely recycled by industry with large machines and processes, even though only a cells might be faulty. Modularization gets rid of that, and allows you to offer different packs and options to better suit customer needs and budget. There is simply no reason a custom ladder frame can't form part of unibody or exoskeleton body as just one element of it.

Besides, if "exo" was all the rage, why does the Tesla Semi have a ladder frame?

The reason is that is actually quite good at what it does, and is needed for the shape as a flat platform to have space to hitch the trailer. There's also nothing stopping you from specifying a ladder frame to meet requirements using the right profiles, that come off existing manufacturing lines. These are decisions made by actual engineers every day, and the profiles used are of themselves optimized.

Simply not all functionality or priorities lead to the same solutions, so although I like the CT solution, it doesn't mean it does everything well, and there is always some compromise. For example with the CT structure, towing 5th wheelers is a problem, and also requires custom built multi-million $ casting machines etc, that other startups can't afford. So often the ultimate design is the result of the priority of constraints the engineer has to work with, and many variations of reorganizing those priorities before a finished design is built.

 

[Deleted member 3316]

I think no, because it's a structural piece, but it's possible. Elon wouldn't shut up about it if they did that, tho.

-Crissa

Does it need to be structural? What give you that certainty?

A front gate would be awesome. Accessory/aftermarket heaven would ensue!!!
Perfect spot for 4x4 recovery gear, pull-up to a scenic spot unfold the front gate instant couch with a cooler within arms reach.
Frunk mounted tent?
The list goes on.

 

[HaulingAss]

The other thing unibody chassis are good at is handling like a fine driving machine on a nice grippy road. Ladder frames on body-on-frame trucks flex and twist when loading them up in a corner and therefore cannot hold the steering geometry well with the frame twisting like a pretzel. The obvious result is the premature loss of traction and potentially loss of control of the vehicle. This can also result in uneven tread wear and a premature end-of-life for the tires. This flexing is why is doesn't feel like all that much fun to push a ladder-framed vehicle hard in the corners.

If the unibody chassis is nice and stiff (and the Cybertruck looks to be ground-breaking in this regard), it will hold the wheels tightly without letting the wheels twist into positive camber which will make cornering with high cornering forces more predictable and controllable.

Some people will say "It's a truck, who cares?". But driving is driving and those who say things like this to minimize the significance of poor handling are merely making up excuses for the poor handling and feedback their truck has.

The Cybertruck, with its height adjustable suspension, prodigious amounts of HP, and a stiff exoskeleton chassis will be like a big Ferrari with a bed.

I say, bring it on! so I can sell my F-150 while there is still time.

 

[anionic1]

My initial reaction to the drawer-as-frunk idea was, "Awesome", but less than 30 seconds later practicality pissed on that wet dream. Not being able to open it when properly parked up against a signpost, or bollard, or wall is strike one. How things naturally and magically end up exceeding the height of any drawer and jamming the ability to open the drawer is strike 2. Second strike could be mitigated somewhat by proper top trim panel, either in the recess itself or mounted to the drawer so that it auto closes as the drawer retracts. Canoo's front opening is probably the best thought out that I've seen, though. That design doesn't perfectly mitigate strike 1, but should clear most center-only objects, and can't have any problems with strike 2 that I can see.

Will be curious to see what CT ends up with. Bring on the final design reveal!!!

You need to expand your mind. Why could a frunk also pull out. You could lift the lid and slide the tray out if you wanted

 

[SolarWizard]

I got the impression sandy was being kind

If thats what he was doing then his opinion is never ever to be viewed as honest

 

[JBee]

One thing to remember with Sandy is that he also runs a business that relies on manufacturers coming to him for advice and reports, so he has to walk the line between being legit and wooing a potential customer.

 

[sstevens805]

Do you guys think that the frunk and tailgate will be power operated? I've only opened the frunk in my Y 3 times because the hood feels like it's going to dent when I close it.

 

[Ogre]

Do you guys think that the frunk and tailgate will be power operated? I've only opened the frunk in my Y 3 times because the hood feels like it's going to dent when I close it.

I can assure you the frunk on the Model Y is fine for normal use. I use ours almost every time I drive the car.

Not sure about the Cybertruck myself. They’ve never really hinted at that sort of detail. My instinct says no.

 

[Crissa]

If thats what he was doing then his opinion is never ever to be viewed as honest

Naw, he was excited, because there are many ways to solve a problem. And they're trying ways that others wouldn't.

-Crissa

 

[Crissa]

Do you guys think that the frunk and tailgate will be power operated? I've only opened the frunk in my Y 3 times because the hood feels like it's going to dent when I close it.

Aftermarket has you covered.

https://www.google.com/search?q=power+frunk+model+y

-Crissa

 

[Bill906]

Do you guys think that the frunk and tailgate will be power operated? I've only opened the frunk in my Y 3 times because the hood feels like it's going to dent when I close it.

As far as the tailgate goes, I'm hoping for power tailgate. It would be sweet to hit a button on my Tesla App while on the cyberquad that opens the tonneau cover, power drops the tailgate. lowers rear suspension, raises front suspension, then power lowers the ramp so I can drive the quad up without having to get off.

That is my hope. But based on what we saw on reveal day, the original did not have power tailgate or power ramp.

 

[sstevens805]

Aftermarket has you covered.

https://www.google.com/search?q=power+frunk+model+y

-Crissa

I was scheduled to have one installed, but have decided to leave my Y alone since I plan on selling it once the CT is available. Hopefully I won't be waiting long . . .

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