Alton Truck Manufacturing Co.

[haven]

We all spend time drooling over the extra-large off-road trucks from European manufacturers like MAN, Mercedes, Tatra, Renault and Volvo. While we can't purchase these vehicles in North America, it is possible to build trucks with similar performance.

Alton is a Michigan company that produces specialty trucks to your specifications. They have built several SEMA award winners. Here's an example, an F650 modified to have a six-door crew cab and 4x4

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z241/expeditioncampers/alton-1.jpg

The front suspension looks sanitary, as they used to say in Southern California. I think I'd ask for a high mounted tie rod.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z241/expeditioncampers/alton-2.jpg

The rear suspension is custom, too.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z241/expeditioncampers/alton-3.jpg

With the range of tires available for 22.5 inch rims, there would be no need to use dual rear wheels unless you were planning an over-the-road weight close to 30,000 lbs.

Alton's web site is http://www.altonco.com The web site has lots of photos of over-the-top trucks, but they will build a more reasonable version as well.

Chip Haven

[IntrepidXJ]

I just sat in that one of their trucks yesterday at the Chicago Auto Show

http://myxj.net/g2/d/114681-1/IMG_1787.JPG

[ujoint]

That first truck actually belongs to Doug DeBerti from DeBerti designs. I think all that Alton did was the 6 door conversion, he did everything else.

[boblynch]

Alton is also doing the cab upgrade for ExPo member Jay Shapiro's F650 expedition camper.

[haven]

Thanks for the correction. Here's a link to the DeBerti web site:
http://www.deberti.com/