Interested in the Light to Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) platform for a work truck, overlanding setup, or fire/rescue vehicle? The LMTV seems superior to other options for the aforementioned projects, with features like 22 inches of ground clearance, 47-inch tires, and a central tire inflation system (CTIS). If you take a closer look at the LMTV though, each chassis is in an entirely different state of disrepair, and without the proper tools and expertise to assess and address each issue, you could be investing in a money pit.  

Originally designed for the U.S. Army to use in active military zones, LMTVs were subject to significant wear and tear while in service. There was no standardized maintenance program for the LMTV, so each military unit had vastly different service schedules and plans for each truck. Every LMTV in the military also had a lifetime budget, or a set amount of dollars used for maintenance. Once that threshold was reached, the LMTVs were retired from active military service.  

Once retried, the LMTVs sit for an unknown window of time as government agencies are given the option to assess and add the retired military trucks to their fleets. Once all interested agencies have selected the trucks they want, the remaining trucks are sent to auction sites open to the public. By the time an LMTV hits auction, there’s no knowing what’s been done to each chassis without a thorough inspection.  

Organizations that fail to properly inspect, repair, and maintain their LMTVs from auction face challenges with their chassis down the road that can be extremely costly and cause further damage. That’s where Acela Truck Company comes in. Our team recognizes the need for a cab-over chassis in the commercial market and takes steps to address all known issues with each LMTV from auction through our Certified Reset Program.  

Upon arrival at our facility, our team takes safety measures and removes the faulty air-over hydraulic system to replace it with our standard electric over hydraulic system. Once this is complete each LMTV goes through our extremely thorough 300-point inspection.  

In order to rebuild each truck to the Monterra standard—better than new-- our expert former military mechanics utilize the latest diagnostic equipment to scan major components to identify issues with each truck.  

Our mechanics pull the true milage and hours of operation during this stage using the CAT ET system. They then perform a full reset on the power train to ensure reliability and serviceability. The engine, transmission, and axels go through a diagnosis and repair process that follows manufacturer specification.  

The mechanics also go through each component to reseal, and refit updated components as needed to ensure that each customer receives a top quality Monterra. If there is too much damage to the LMTV, the chassis is set aside, and the components that are still in top form are then used on other chassis that meet our standards for moving forward in our Certified Reset Program.  

Once each LMTV passes our inspections, it’s then disassembled for complete overhaul. The cab and nearly all frame-mounted parts are carefully removed, inspected, and cataloged. These parts are then sent to specialized shops for further breakdown and refurbishment.

The next phase in our certified reset program is paint and rehabilitation. Each cab is stripped down to sheet metal and seals, doors, electrical harnesses, and other componentry is removed. Using advanced body repair and painting techniques, the cabs and chassis are rehabilitated to meet our better than new standards.  

Once all components are refurbished reassembly begins. The cab is reattached to the chassis and all fluids are flushed out and replaced with new OEM-certified fluids. The wheels are rebuilt and mounted with new tires. Over 650 parts are upgraded/replaced in total. This phase ensures that the truck is ready for performance testing and final quality checks.  

Each Monterra undergoes rigorous performance testing. Torques, clearances, pressures, and other critical settings are adjusted and recorded. The trucks then go through a series of quality assurance, diagnostic, and road tests to ensure that their performance meets our high standards.  

Once a Monterra is complete and has passed all our performance tests, the truck is either shipped to or picked up by the customer. Every truck comes with a one-year limited warranty and is supported by the AcelaCare program, which ensures timely delivery of parts and maintenance support.

The standardization Acela Truck Company’s certified reset process guarantees that with a Monterra you’ll receive a reliable truck that with proper maintenance will perform for years to come.

‍