Not all truck platforms are created equal. When it comes to working in extreme environments where the standard 4-wheel drive truck can’t handle, tracked tread vehicles are too slow, and the water is too shallow for a boat but too deep for a truck, it’s time to call in the big guns.  

Originally designed for the U.S. Army, the retired Stewart & Stevenson Chassis appears to be an appealing option for fire departments, emergency management offices, and commercial companies. However, as we discussed in our blog post Transforming LMTVs: Acela's Certified Reset for Superior Performance, the lack of standardization in managing these trucks in the military resulted in a series of unknown damages to each retired LMTV that range from minor inconveniences to major parts replacements.  

Seeing the value in the Stewart & Stevenson chassis despite unknown damages, our team at Acela Truck Company created a Certified Reset Program to diagnose, replace, upgrade, and equip LMTVs with the right parts to increase each chassis' reliability and durability. Thus, the Monterra was born.  

For nearly ten years, Acela Truck Company specialized in remanufacturing A1 model LMTVs into the Monterra platform. By focusing exclusively on A1 LMTVs we’ve been able to streamline our process. We upgrade over 650 parts and conduct 300 inspections throughout our process to ensure that each Monterra performs reliably.  

Despite our extensive knowledge of the LMTV platform, our streamlined process, and the significant upgrades we make to each Monterra, competitors claim their LMTVs are just as good. However, we can confidently say those claims are unfounded.

For starters, our competitors lack the specialization and standardization that we pride ourselves on. They work on a variety of retired military trucks and models. Mixing a variety of trucks muddies the process and slows down the production time. Acela Truck Company is dedicated to the Monterra platform, allowing each chassis to move down the assembly line quicker. The repetition of our assembly line enables our team to perfect the Monterra’s reassembly process.

Another difference between Acela and the competition is that the competition does not make upgrades. Other companies make repairs to each LMTV chassis, but these repairs are often surface level and do not address the underlying issues with each truck. They give the chassis a glorified makeover that does not improve the LMTV’s overall performance. Acela Truck Company goes beyond basic repairs to create a chassis that is safer and more reliable. Some of our upgrades include a new electric over hydraulic system, a new alternator, and a new custom commercial interior with sound deadening insulation and a heating and cooling system for operator comfort. Our most notable upgrade to the Monterra chassis is our proprietary 50-inch High Water Fording Kit.

Acela's Proprietary 50-inch High-Water Fording Kit was the first of its kind. Equipped to handle 20 more inches of water than a stock LMTV, our high-water fording kit can also be activated with the flip of a switch from the driver’s seat saving significant time and effort. LMTVs that haven’t been properly upgraded can only ford up to 30 inches of water and require the operator to manually fit vent plugs before fording can take place.

Another option Acela Truck Company offers to stand out from the competition is our comprehensive Warranty. We stand by the Monterra, guaranteeing its performance with a one-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. In addition, we provide access to our OEM LMTV parts portal and AcelaCare After Sale Customer Support, ensuring our customers always have what they need to keep moving forward. These guarantees and tools are unique to Acela and not available from our competitors.

At Acela Truck Company, we continue to perfect our process every day. The Monterra is meant to do more than just get the job done—the Monterra is built to thrive where other trucks can’t survive. With our expert former military mechanics guiding the process, we bring a stellar product to market that performs reliably and will continue to perform for years to come. The other guys can’t say the same.  

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