Why Chassis Cab Trucks Are the Right Fit for Upfitting Applications
By working closely with your truck dealer and the team at USSI, you can be confident that your selected vehicle and upfit will meet both operational needs and regulatory standards—ensuring long-term safety, dependability, and peace of mind.
The Impact of OEM Bed Removal in Today’s Trucks
In past years, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) pickup truck beds were removed from new pickup trucks and replaced with vocational truck bodies. The reasons for this varied, but most commonly were due to chassis availability or to obtain certain desired chassis options; this was simply a swap of one body for another. However, with today’s advanced vehicle designs, the pickup truck bed has become an integral component in the vehicle’s safety and emissions compliance. Replacing it, regardless of size or shape, may inadvertently affect these critical systems.
Due to altered weight distribution and aerodynamic properties, replacing the OEM bed may negatively impact crash protection, braking distance, fuel efficiency, and other key performance factors. Additionally, the method used to attach the truck bed to the chassis is tied to specific Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS); modifications for installing a non-OEM body can lead to noncompliance.
If an equipment upfitter, body builder, or repair shop removes an OEM truck bed and installs a different body on a new truck (prior to first-time license/title/sale/delivery), they assume responsibility for ensuring compliance with applicable FMVSS and emissions requirements as outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Dealers are also restricted from selling vehicles that do not meet these certification standards, which includes trucks modified by bed removal.
Trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less are subject to more FMVSS requirements than their heavier counterparts, adding further complexity.
Critical System Impacts When Replacing OEM Truck Beds
In addition to regulatory considerations, there are practical challenges often encountered when removing truck beds:
- Rear combination lighting systems are integrated with the vehicle’s CANBUS control system. Substituting these with non-OEM components may require specific reprogramming to avoid hyper-flash conditions and dash warnings, typically necessitating OEM involvement.
- Relocating or replacing the OEM rear vision camera can involve adjusting cable lengths or rerouting, and finding alternative mounting solutions since the OEM bracket is molded into the tailgate trim.
- Fuel or Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) fill kits must be compatible with the vehicle model and include components for correct routing to the new body.
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which utilize radar, cameras, and sensors, may be disrupted by bed removal, potentially affecting system performance.
To uphold the safety and satisfaction of our customers, USSI upfits service bodies, aerials, or cranes exclusively on qualifying Chassis Cab vehicles—whether for new builds or refurbishing. This policy ensures that all upfits align with both performance standards and regulatory requirements.
Working closely with the USSI team to select the right vehicle and equipment combination will ensure safe, compliant, and dependable service from your new service or aerial truck for years to come.