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Is the Dodge Charger a full frame car?

Yes, the Dodge Charger is a full-frame car. The Dodge Charger is a large, rear-wheel-drive sedan that features a body-on-frame construction, which means it has a separate frame chassis that the body is mounted on, rather than a unibody design where the body and frame are integrated.


What is a Full Frame Car?


A full-frame car, also known as a body-on-frame design, is a type of automotive construction where the body of the vehicle is mounted on a separate, rigid frame. This frame provides the structural foundation for the car and is typically made of steel. The body panels are then attached to this frame, rather than being an integral part of the structure.


Full-frame cars are often associated with larger, heavier vehicles like trucks, SUVs, and some sedans. This design offers several advantages, including:



  • Durability: The separate frame provides more structural rigidity and strength, making full-frame cars well-suited for towing, hauling, and off-road use.

  • Customization: The modular design allows for easier modifications and customization of the vehicle, as the body can be swapped or altered without affecting the underlying frame.

  • Repairability: If the body is damaged, the frame can often be repaired or replaced independently, making repairs more straightforward and cost-effective.


In contrast, unibody construction, where the body and frame are integrated, is more common in smaller, lighter vehicles like sedans, hatchbacks, and crossovers. Unibody designs offer improved fuel efficiency, handling, and a lower center of gravity, but may be more challenging to repair in the event of significant damage.


The Dodge Charger's Full Frame Design


The Dodge Charger is a full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan that has been in production since 2005. It is built on a separate frame chassis, which is a key feature that distinguishes it from many other modern sedans that use a unibody construction.


The Charger's full-frame design provides several benefits, including:



  • Improved Towing and Hauling Capacity: The Charger's frame allows it to tow up to 1,000 pounds and handle heavier loads, making it a more versatile vehicle for those with active lifestyles or who need to transport larger items.

  • Enhanced Durability and Crash Protection: The separate frame provides a more robust structure that can better withstand impacts and maintain the integrity of the passenger compartment in the event of a collision.

  • Customization Potential: The modular design of the Charger's frame allows for easier modifications, such as the installation of larger engines, suspension upgrades, or custom body kits, without compromising the underlying structure.


While the full-frame design of the Dodge Charger may result in a slightly heavier vehicle and potentially less agile handling compared to unibody sedans, it remains a popular choice among those who value the Charger's distinctive styling, performance, and utility.

What platform is the Dodge Charger?


The LD platform was introduced in 2011 for the second generation of the Charger. It is an entirely redesigned and updated platform but is closely related to the original LX. Vehicles using the LD platform include: 2011–2023 Dodge Charger.



Is the Dodge Challenger an unibody car?


The Challenger was first introduced in 1970, and the 1971 model year introduced some impressive modifications. The 1971 Dodge Challenger features a unibody construction, which means the chassis and body are integrated into one piece, providing better rigidity and less weight.



Do Dodge Chargers have frames?


The New Dodge Charger Design | Widebody Frame Comes Standard.



What is a Dodge Charger classified as?


The Dodge Charger isn't a sports car, it's a muscle car. Muscle cars have wider, more authoritative body than sports cars, and are designed with performance as their most important attribute.



What was the last full frame car?


Initially developed in response to the implementation of CAFE by the U.S. federal government, the Panther platform outlived its closest rival (the 1977–1996 GM B platform) by 15 years, with the 2012 Ford Crown Victoria becoming the final mass-produced passenger car designed with a separate frame.



Does the Dodge Challenger have a frame?


Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300 are all UNIBODY cars. Though many American cars used body-on-frame design, for many years, all the cars and CUVs are unibody now. Only pickup trucks and some SUVs still use body-on-frame.



What chassis is the Dodge Charger built on?


The Dodge Charger is based on the same Mercedes-derived platform used for the Chrysler 300. As such, the Dodge Charger has four doors and is a bit larger than the average midsize sedan. Its front-end styling is much more aggressive than the 300C's, and the rear roof line slopes downward in a coupelike fashion.



Does a Dodge Challenger have a full frame?


NO, they are NOT. Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300 are all UNIBODY cars. Though many American cars used body-on-frame design, for many years, all the cars and CUVs are unibody now.



What cars are unibody?


Modern sedans, hatchbacks, station wagons, and minivans almost universally utilize unibody construction. Such vehicles include the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, BMW 7-Series, Kia Carnival, Volvo S90, Tesla Model S, Audi A6, Volkswagen Jetta, Nissan Maxima, and many more.



Is a Dodge Charger an unibody car?


The standard Charger unibody will allow a substantially large rear tire. If you want to go larger yet, order the Level 3 kit, which includes a brace to relocate the rear spring and a mini tub that will add up to 4 inches per side for tire clearance.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.