The service truck industry has seen a lot of action this year. Fleet managers have more choices — and more customization options — than ever. 

On the chassis side, we've even seen a Jeep Gladiator body become a uniquely sized service truck.

How would you like a service truck that could traverse rough terrain at 80mph?

Acela Truck, a developer and manufacturer of high-mobility, severe-service truck chassis and specialty vehicles based in Montana, is expanding its severe-service chassis portfolio with new Class 3-5 Ford F-Series and Ram 4x4 platforms equipped with its proprietary DuraLink suspension system.

This provides specialty vehicle manufacturers and upfitters a turnkey alternative to conventional lift kits.

Designed for demanding on- and off-highway applications, Acela's DuraLink suspension solutions transform OEM Ford and Ram truck chassis into severe service, high-mobility platforms engineered for demanding commercial, governmental, defense, and other vocational users.

That means tough service truck applications and so much more.

“While other solutions exist in the market today, they are more akin to light-duty lift kits,” said Bill Davidson, VP of sat Acela Truck Company. “DuraLink is a complete suspension solution that draws its lineage from proven Baja racing truck capabilities that have been highly engineered to perform in severe-duty defense, emergency response and severe vocational applications.”

DuraLink details

DuraLink is a total suspension solution that incorporates a multi-rate four-link suspension design with Bilstein coil-over and racing-tuned shock absorbers, along with optimized steering geometry and chassis control interfaces designed to address VDC, ABS, and speedometer calibration when modifying the OEM chassis. 

The system is engineered to increase wheel travel, improve damping and rebound control, reduce negative steering feedback caused by other kits, and provide the additional ride height and ground clearance necessary to accommodate larger defense-rated tires. Additionally, super-single wheel and tire configurations are available with tires up to 42 inches.

How Acela brought military truck performance to the maintstream

DuraLink-equipped chassis are the result of nearly two years of engineering and testing, according to the company.

"The resulting ride quality at 80mph on the highway, over rough terrain, or on washboard roads is nothing short of astonishing," Davidson said. 

Sounds like fun.

DuraLink-equipped chassis are also available with a 5-year warranty, providing vehicle manufacturers and end users with additional assurance in demanding operating environments.

Built for upfitters

Acela is offering their modified chassis as a turnkey package through a growing network of vehicle upfitters, modifiers, and body fuilders. Rather than requiring an upfitter to engineer or install its own suspension conversion, Acela delivers a chassis ready for the customer's specialized body or equipment package, allowing upfitters to focus on what makes their business unique while reducing production time, specialized labor requirements and engineering complexity.

The increased mobility of the platform can also open applications where conventional wheeled trucks have historically been limited. In some mission profiles, the increased capability can provide an alternative to tracked vehicles while retaining the highway mobility and logistical advantages of a wheeled platform.

Acela's severe-duty chassis offerings now cover truck Classes 1 through 8.