Scelzi Enterprises proudly displayed the latest in work truck innovation at the NTEA Work Truck show last month. Displaying a fully-loaded crane-enabled Service truck body in the Ford booth, an admiring crowd gathered each day of the show. This truck body marks the pinnacle of design for the classic work truck service body. In addition to the unique Scelzi features that set this body apart from others (double-panel hat construction doors and lids, extensive use of galvanneal steel and other upgraded materials, luxury-car styling, etc) this particular body included an AutoCrane with matching underbody structural enhancements, polyurea-lined cargo floor and work deck areas, a compressor, and much more. It was also equipped with the Ford Pro™ Vehicle Integration System. Visitors who stopped by the Ford booth during the show were noticeably “WOWed” by the combination of features.
FEATURES OF THE STATE-OF-THE-ART SERVICE BODY
Featured in the Ford booth at the show:
- An 11-foot Scelzi Service Crane Body
- LED work lights that work on all corners, in the cargo area, and even in the compartments
- Perforated cab protector
- Polyurea-lined cargo floor for non-slip safety
- 24-inch rear work deck with vise stand
- Class 5 receiver hitch
- Scelzi roller drawers with “Press-down, Pull-out” operation
- Patented Scelzi Electronic Master Locking System Ⓡ that locks all compartments from the truck ignition key/FOB
- Crane reinforced body frame on passenger side, and an AutoCrane EHC-32
- Enpak A30GBW (by Miller) welder/generator/air compressor/battery charger
- A 2024 FORD F-350 chassis cab, 84 CA, fully loaded with Ford’s integrated VIS 2.0 System
FORD VIS 2.0: THE MAGIC BEHIND THE CURTAIN
The external features of this truck body are impressive enough that Ford booth visitors were giddy just to walk around and appreciate the top-tier caliber quality features. But when they got to the cab and could observe a brief demo of the VIS system, their smiles grew even larger. The VIS system helps upfitters like Scelzi seamlessly integrate their equipment in one place without most of the frustrations they typically experience on accessory-heavy truck bodies.
“I don’t claim to understand all the technology,” states President Mike Scelzi,” but I can appreciate how well the VIS system simplifies the operations of a feature-rich truck body like ours. And our engineers tell me that once they played with the programming interface a little bit, they really love using it.”
DEALER AND END USER BENEFITS
The VIS system is not just a time-saver for truck body upfitters. The system also helps end users by moving more of the controls to the cab’s digital dashboard screen. “This is a huge leap forward in user-friendliness for the truck body owner,” states Scott Martzen, one of Scelzi’s in-house experts on the system. “I have spent the past two years collaborating with the Ford team on the VIS system, and it has completely transformed how we approach upfits. The system simplifies integration by providing direct access to chassis CAN signals, eliminating the need for additional modules or complex wiring. This not only streamlines the installation process but also gives us the ability to implement advanced safety features more efficiently. The inclusion of soft switches within the factory interface is another game-changer—it allows us to customize controls without additional hardware, reducing complexity and improving reliability. With these capabilities, we’re able to deliver upfits that are not only more efficient but also safer and more intuitive for the end user.”
NOT DONE YET
The Ford VIS 2.0 is just the latest chapter in work truck tech development, with plenty more enhancements to come. At Scelzi Enterprises, it is one more opportunity to help build the best solutions for their customers that is humanly possible. “We are nowhere close to being done yet,” emphasizes Mike Scelzi. “In some ways, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for the next 5 years as robotics along with AI (artificial intelligence) guides more of our designs and production techniques. Our dealers and end users will be the big winners.”
IF SPACE WERE NOT LIMITED
If booth space at NTEA had not been a concern, Scelzi would likely have opted to bring one of their best-selling dump bodies or water tank trucks. Both have become quite popular in recent years, with several variations of each model becoming standard fleet additions in the construction industry.
Standard Dump Bodies and Ellipticals
Scelzi manufactures a variety of dump bodies ranging in capacity from 2-12 cubic yards. Using High-Tensile steel and Hardox 450 steel instead of lower grade materials, Scelzi dump bodies have a very devoted following. The robust bed design and materials is not the only reason. The fit and finish of the tailgate and release assembly are precision-fit with great care. In addition to the classic dump body design, Scelzi also produces elliptical dump bodies, ranging in size from 6-18 cubic yards and from 10 to 19 feet long. Custom dump bodies are available as a special order.
Water Tank Trucks
Scelzi water trucks are available in sizes of 2000, 2500, and 4000 gallons. Standard features include front and rear spray bars, driver and passenger side adjustable spray fittings, and many others. Among the many optional upgrades are: hose reels, LED enhanced light kits, and a ¼-inch thick belly steel overlay for extended protection against tank rot-out. Every water tank truck goes through rigorous testing of all components prior to delivery to ensure it meets Scelzi’s stringent quality standards.
Production Speed and Efficiency
While many body upfitters would strain their production lines while trying to complete dumps and water trucks, Scelzi has dedicated production lines and personnel to handle these larger bodies. “We have invested in some tooling and machinery in the past few years to speed up manufacturing of these larger bodies, “explains owner Mike Scelzi. “Our customers have told us the quality is not only hard to beat, but so are the lead times for the big stuff. Having dedicated teams of people just to handle these orders make a big difference, both in quality and speed. It is a pretty hard adjustment to go from building a service body in the morning and then a behemoth monster truck in the afternoon. So we have people who work on nothing but the bigger and custom orders. And special equipment too – like our steel plate rolling machine that bends and forms water tanks in just a few minutes. The investment has made a big difference.”
NEW HAULER DESIGNS COMING SOON
A new Hauler body design has been offered to select Scelzi customers in a limited release. A full release is planned for early Summer 2025.