Detroit Custom Chassis, Dallas Smith to develop shuttles, chassis

Detroit Custom Chassis LLC, a Detroit-based provider of custom chassis modification services (DCC) and subsidiary of Detroit Chassis LLC, has entered into a long term exclusive contract with Dallas Smith Corp. of Greencastle, Ind., to manufacture and convert Ford F450 / F550 Super Duty Trucks into proprietary low-floor transit shuttle buses and commercial chassis, and to assemble low-floor commercial trailers for North American markets.

The Lo-Floor F450 conversions will be shipped to StarTrans (Supreme) of Goshen, Ind., for installation of the bus body and seating and delivered to American Bus Products for pre-delivery and preparation prior to final delivery to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).

Production of 109 TTC buses will start in March 2009 and run through mid-2010. Additional orders for 2009 delivery have been received for the Wiki Wiki Shuttle at Honolulu International Airport. DCC expects that approximately 15 new jobs will be created at full production.

These Lo Floor Transit Shuttle Buses incorporate the patented Axleless Rear Suspension designed, engineered and manufactured by Dallas Smith Corp. to permit an unimpeded flat floor from front to back with a 4-inch step up height for ready curb access without need of a hydraulic ramp.

DCC also converts the base F450 / 550 chassis cab vehicle from rear wheel drive to front wheel drive utilizing a proprietary DSC transfer case. The Axleless Lo-Floor buses meet or exceed the United States DOT and Canada’s Transport Canada vehicle certifications.