Cybertruck Front Casting Analysis (and Frunk Implications) - 3 vs 2 Chickens

[SentinelOne]

I am sold. The frunk won't be as big as some might have hoped. Aero dynamics, 12"" of wheel travel - somethings got to give.

While I love all storage I will miss the sail storage the most. I could live with just a small amount of storage in the sails for some tie down straps and little things that tent to roll around the bed.

I am still hoping for some open cubbies on the inside for these type of things. The floor storage often gets stuff put on top so it is not always available.

"somethings got to give" - agree. And my current truck doesn't have a frunk nor underbed storage, nor a bed cover - so all an improvement with possible upside of sail / big a$$ dash, etc

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[Tinker71]

"somethings got to give" - agree. And my current truck doesn't have a frunk nor underbed storage, nor a bed cover - so all an improvement with possible upside of sail / big a$$ dash, etc

I haven't used my frunk on my model 3 yet. A truck would be a little different when you are working out of it. I could see a portable winch assembly with nylon rope, a mobile tool kit, a cooler or a fold out camp kitchen. All this is is enabled more with the open front. A 2'x2'x4' ish cuboid would be awesome with maybe some shallow space above and back to tuck some lighter stuff.

 

[SentinelOne]

I haven't used my frunk on my model 3 yet. A truck would be a little different when you are working out of it. I could see a portable winch assembly with nylon rope, a mobile tool kit, a cooler or a fold out camp kitchen. All this is is enabled more with the open front. A 2'x2'x4' ish cuboid would be awesome with maybe some shallow space above and back to tuck some lighter stuff.

I dont use my frunk on my M3P either but it's more of a Hoon/Commuter car - with the truck, hoping I can get all the off-road / dirt bike/tools in permanent (always with me) places. Current truck has under rear seat lockbox full and could use a bit more space. Also, good, secure / double locked place for truck gun (sig rattler) when I go camping!

 

[Rutrow]

Okay... now that we've beat this poor horse's desiccated bones to powder, can we please discuss where that guy is headed to install the suspension fluid reservoir? and why that "engineer" is making a step measurement with the depth measuring end of the calipers?!? ?

 

[JBee]

good question - in short:

On one hand, in that photo is appears to start ahead of the triangle window

On the other hand, it surely has to connect to the lower body

which means that:




Notice that @JBee ’s yellow drawn firewall above ends effectively where mine does, at the cartoon dude’s feet

But I see a problem(s) with where @JBee’s begins under the dash:

the CT windshield design creates a no man’s land underneath it. that space between @JBee ’s frunk and his firewall would be a total b*tch to access from the front of the vehicle for servicing anything ’behind’ the Frunk. It would be better accessed if at all from inside the cabin, by the dashboard lifting

so, combining the noman’s land that would be created by eg @jbee’s drawing, combined with the frame photo showing the firewall to appear to begin in front of the triangle window, the leaning firewall was collectively my best estimate

Totally wouldn’t die on that hill

but also if forced to choose I would pick mine over @JBee ’s line, which doesnt square with the frame photo, and also creates a no man’s land in under mid-dash area.

I think access to the no-mans land between the frunk and the firewall can be from both the top dash, the bottom floor pan(for steering/brakes etc), and the back of the frunk, or through the firewall. It could all be installed on a modular sub frame or slide etc too, depending on what it is. That space was always going to be awkward because of the sloping windscreen. It might also house that compressor tank that guy is carrying around.

The only advantage of the slope, except for aero, is that it will be more bullet proof than the side windows if they use that aluminum glass stuff. Tanks also use angle to deflect projectiles with thinner materials.

Otherwise though, that windscreen creates a few design challenges, including the BAW, the huge interior dash, solar passive heating, cost, and limited access to "under the hood". It's 2.7sqm in size, which is like a bus windscreen.

Either way, I think we will be pleasantly surprised with the frunk size, and I still haven't given up hope that there is still another surprise or two included, even for storage.

 

[cvalue13]

I think access to the no-mans land between the frunk and the firewall can be from both the top dash, the bottom floor pan(for steering/brakes etc), and the back of the frunk, or throught the firewall.

yes, this is the thing of it - sort of regardless of where exactly the firewall is assumed (so long as reasonable), there’s still a good amount of “stuff” needing not just a home - but one that is accessible, allows hands/arms in to service, etc.

Frunk simply can’t fill the entirety of the space left by only the casting and firewall

But more on that in a moment…

 

[JBee]

yes, this is the thing of it - sort of regardless of where exactly the firewall is assumed (so long as reasonable), there’s still a good amount of “stuff” needing not just a home - but one that is accessible, allows hands/arms in to service, etc.

Frunk simply can’t fill the entirety of the space left by only the casting and firewall

But more on that in a moment…

No rush from my end it's way past my sleepy sleepy time!

 

[sstevens805]

As long as I can get a carry on, a couple of backpacks, and a soft-sided cooler in the frunk I'll be happy. If not, there's a whole bed lol

@cvalue13 thank you for this analysis, you have serious skills

 

[cvalue13]

and the discussion [about fitting golf clubs] makes me think it’s time for the next chapter in this Frunk inference thread….

based on all this I think it could have as much total volume even if differently spaced than a Ford lightning Frunk.

just the same, I do not think it is likely to have materially more volume than a Ford lightning Frunk

The Ford lightning Frunk is huge

seeing the front casting and frame integration, etc., has given my mental map a reconnoiter of the relevant CT proportions and volumes

before anyone mentions: none of the below does anything more than give a good (within a few % points) comparison of relative proportions - not intended to be "exact" but instead a good read of 'bigger than a breadbox' sort of visual comps

 

[cvalue13]

where that guy is headed to install the suspension fluid reservoir?

it’s an air tank - and who knows!

I’d suspect it goes up front, if only because the rear end doesn’t seem to have an obvious and good place to put-access it after accounting got the tonneau and sub-bed storage

 

[cvalue13]

I haven't used my frunk on my model 3 yet. A truck would be a little different when you are working out of it.

after 30 years in a truck, having a Frunk has been a top 3 benefit of the change to the BEV truck

 

[Gurule92]

I dont use my frunk on my M3P either but it's more of a Hoon/Commuter car - with the truck, hoping I can get all the off-road / dirt bike/tools in permanent (always with me) places. Current truck has under rear seat lockbox full and could use a bit more space. Also, good, secure / double locked place for truck gun (sig rattler) when I go camping!

Interesting to hear that people aren't using their frunks much.

I use it all the time in my Y. Whether it's for my backpack, a coat, groceries. Lots of stuff. But the backpack for me is an everyday thing. It just helps me lower thr clutter in the car. Maybe it's because I have 2 car seats in the back though. If someone didn't have those they might be more prone to just tossing a bag in the back seat.

Also, I back in a lot. If you nosed in I could see the trunk being used more I suppose.

 

[cvalue13]

Seems fairly consistent with what I estimated earlier, although I will concede it might just be slightly further forward (see yellow line).

that yellow line is right just about where the Lightning’s firewall is, for what it’s worth

and essentially where I see the CT’s being, in the main

understanding that firewalls are rarely a flat plane, and instead have all kinds of intrusions and humps

For what it’s worth, that deepest portion of the footwell is

• 22” from the leading edge of the dashboard

• 15” from the leading edge of the door surround (pictured in far left frame of the above photo)

that places it right about where the rear edge of the front tire sits in space

 

[Rutrow]

it’s an air tank - and who knows!

I’d suspect it goes up front, if only because the rear end doesn’t seem to have an obvious and good place to put-access it after accounting got the tonneau and sub-bed storage

Like I said, fluid reservoir.

I was hoping the tank would be an integral part of the frame, like the Model S's. That one is an extrusion that makes up the crossmember below the windshield. I don't want it to be an extraneous part that takes up more space below/beside the truck bed, but, given the direction the guy is headed in the photo, it seems to have lost some of its elegance. ?

 

[charliemagpie]

Could there be some shallow storage at the front past the wheels ?

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