SPECIALITY CHASSIS

CCI has been successfully building chassis for unique applications for years. We build speciality chassis for the construction, agricultural, motor home, and tour bus market. Click HERE for samples of the speciality chassis that have been built.

CCI uses quality heavy-duty components for long term durability and ease of readily available parts availability in the field.

FRAME

The frame is the backbone of the chassis and the foundation for quality vehicles. CCI uses high-quality, high-strength powder coated C-style frames. The exact size and strength are based on demands of application. Full width C-shaped cross members are used at no more than 4' increments to insure a rigid frame. All frame fasteners are grade 8 flange head bolts and grade 8 serrated head nuts.

	Zinc plated grade 8 frame bolts

ENGINES

The engine is the heart of the chassis providing the power and torque to accelerate the vehicle down the road, climb the hills, and to pull the load. Picking the right engine for the application is critical. For example, two different engines may have the same horsepower. If one is significantly smaller in displacement, the torque will be different. If pulling long grades or starting with heavy loads, it is important to obtain the performance or longevity you need from the smaller engine. This is why CCI will sit down with you to find out your needs and size the engine accordingly.

	Cummins ISBe 4 and 6 Cylinder Euro 3 engines

CCI's primary engine of choice are premium CUMMINS engines. The following is a list of the currently available Cummins Engine models:

ISBe 4 cylinder 135 to 170hp Euro 3 ISBe 6 Cylinder 185 to 275hp Euro 3 ISB 210 to 300hp EPA/CARB ISC 225 to 350hp EPA/CARB ISL 310 to 400hp EPA/CARB ISM 280 to 500hp EPA/CARB ISM 335 to 410hp Euro 3

CCI can also install Detroit Diesel, Caterpillar, and International engines on request.

The current generation of engines are fully electronically controlled which allow many built-in functions such as cruise control, cooling fan control, exhaust brake control, and multiplex gauges.

TRANSMISSIONS

The transmission in a vehicle sends the power from the engine through to the drive axle after changing its speed. For most all of the applications CCI works on, automatic transmissions are needed or requested. Modern automatic transmissions can be almost as efficient as the mechanical transmission but with smooth shifts and hassle free driving. This efficiency is possible with the use of lock up torque converters. The torque converter is connected between the engine and the shifting part of the transmission. The torque converter allows a certain amount of slip to take place for a smooth shift. Unlike most automobile automatic transmissions, the heavy-duty automatic transmissions have lock up torque converters. Once the shift has been made, the two halves of the converter are locked together to prevent any slippage. When the torque converter is locked up, there is no power loss though it.

	Premier Allison 1000/2000 series transmission

CCI uses Allison Automatic Transmissions for there reliability, smooth shifts, and extensive service network. We install all the following Allison Models:

1000 series 2000MH 2000 series 3000MH 2400 series 4000MH If you application requires a manual transmission, we can install that as well.

AXLES and SUSPENSION

The axles steers the vehicle and puts the power to the ground. CCI installs quality DANA (formally Eaton), MERITOR (formally Rockwell), and Westport front axles. Front non-drive axle capacities range from 7,000 lbs GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) to 20,000 lbs GAWR. The rear drive axle weight rating ranges from 13,500 lbs GAWR to 23,000 lbs GAWR for a single and 40,000 lbs GAWR for a tandem.

CCI installs only air ride suspensions on it vehicles. The smooth ride, adjustable handling, and load compensation characteristics make any properly designed air suspension superior to a spring suspension. CCI uses high quality Ridewell suspension for excellent ride and dependability. Shown below are our new multi-link front and rear suspensions exclusively design for our Prairie chassis line.

	Prairie Front Suspension

	Prairie Rear Suspension

COOLING SYSTEM

The cooling system not only cools the engine coolant but also the engine charged air, hydraulic oil, transmission oil, and in some cases the air conditioning fluid. This is why it is important to design the cooling with the final application in mind. Will the vehicle be operating at high altitudes? Will the vehicle be running through extreme ambient temperatures? Will the vehicle be operating in extremely dusty or dirty conditions. These are just some of the questions that we can work through with you so we can build the product that exceeds your needs.

CCI uses quality VALEO radiator/Charge Air Cooler packages, American Cooling Systems plastic fans. When the cooling fan is not engine mounted, we use a modulated hydraulic system. The fan speed is modulated relative to coolant temperature. In this manner, the cooling fan turns only as fast as required to maintain a certain coolant temperature. Unlike non-modulated hydraulic systems, horsepower is only being spent when needed instead of all the time. This reduces fuel consumption and provides more power to the drive wheels.

	Parallel Rad/CAC cooling package with modulated hydraulic drive

BRAKING SYSTEM

A properly designed braking system provides optimal stopping characteristics in all road conditions and weight carrying. CCI can work with you to understand your application to spec the proper braking to meet your demands as well as meet the FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) requirements. For example, your application may be long-distance highway mileage or it may be constant stop and go traffic or something in between. Depending on the type of driving, the proper brake size and lining material can be specified. With the government requirement for standard ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) on all heavy-duty vehicles, additional options become available. An optional ATC (Automatic Traction Control) system can be added to the ABS system to improve traction in slippery conditions.

CCI uses wheel end equipment supplied by WEBB, DANA, and MERITOR. CCI uses MERITOR/WABCO brake valves and ABS system components.

WHEELS and TIRES

CCI uses HUB PILOTED WHEELS standard for the ease of use, reliability of installation and ease of maintenance. The hub-piloted system uses a machined shoulder on the axle hub to accept a slightly bigger hole in the wheel. In this way all the vertical loading is transferred directly from the wheel to the axle without relying on the wheel studs. With dual-wheel applications only one nut is used per stud instead of the two needed with the stud piloted system. This makes checking lug nut torque considerably easier.

Tires play a very important role in how the vehicle drives and handles. The low-profile wide-base tire will handle better in crosswinds and maneuvering exercises but it may not ride as soft as a standard profile, non-metric, tire. Selecting the right tire for the job is more than just looking at weight ratings. It is also about how the vehicle is expected to handle on the road and understanding the compromises.

CCI use ACCURIDE steel wheels and ALCOA or ACCURIDE aluminum wheels. CCI also uses GOODYEAR, MICHELIN, BRIDESTONE/FIRESTONE, and GENERAL tires.

OPERATOR CONTROLS

The interface between the vehicle and operator is an important connection. The interface allows the operator to understand and control the vehicle in a safe and responsive manner. This is way it is important to design the controls to meet the customer needs.

CCI can install many innovative control options. Here is a small selection of the available options:

Adjustable brake and throttle pedals - move the pedals in/out per driver requirement.

Integrated steering wheel controls - Windshield wiper/washers, headlights, running lights, and cruise functions can be controlled right from a backlit push button in the center of the steering wheel.

Push button shifters for the 1000, 2000, and 2400 series automatic transmissions - The same push button control can be used in place of the cable shifter.

Multiplexed Gauges - The instrument gauges read engine oil pressure, water temperature, etc. right from the power train data bus (J1939). This eliminates redundant senders and reducing wire, while making the gauge readings more accurate.

Many other options are available upon request.

DETAILS and ACCESSORIES

CCI doesn't skimp on the details. The details differentiate a good product from a great product.

For example, some motor home chassis manufacturers use the "throw-away" style air filter instead of the removable element style. This is done not because it is better, but because the up-front cost to the chassis manufacturer is lower. The customer, however, will pay up to 50% more for "throw-away" air filter than the removable element style. Also, when the clean air side the plumbing is disconnected, there is a much greater chance of dirt ingesting into the engine. This is why CCI only installs the slightly more expensive removable element air filter.

	Engine/Transmission service area with air filter

Another example of looking at the details is that CCI looms all hoses, air lines, and wiring front to back. Looming all the lines significantly reduces the rubbing or wearing failures.

	Clean, organized, and loomed lines

QUALITY CONTROL and TESTING

Every chassis is thoroughly tested. Each sub-system, such as brakes and cooling system, is tested for performance. Once every sub-system is tested, the chassis as an assembly, is tested for performance and checked for leaks, rubbing hoses or wires, etc. Each chassis we produce will only be able to leave CCI if it works like it was designed. This is the only way we can stand behind our product.

REAR ENGINE SAMPLE CHASSIS | MID ENGINE SAMPLE CHASSIS