Custom chassis · Suspension · Cummins installation
International Loadstar.
Original character.
Custom foundation.
A daily-driven show truck with a working purpose. Our customer wanted this International Loadstar to turn heads and haul equipment trailers for his business. We built the foundation for that vision while retaining its original body.
Original character, a custom foundation. Wits End delivered the project at the rolling-chassis stage.
01 / The challenge
Donor components.
A chassis of our own.
The customer supplied a Dodge donor truck and wanted to use its front suspension components. Incorporating those components into a custom chassis required careful attention to mounting locations, fitment and suspension geometry.
We retained the Loadstar’s original body and designed new mounting points around the suspension components the project needed.
The starting point: the Loadstar before its custom chassis transformation.
CAD layout developed in-house by Kenny Belt.
02 / Design & fabrication
From in-house CAD
to a custom foundation.
Using CAD designs developed in-house by owner Kenny Belt, we designed and fabricated the custom chassis, suspension mounting points and upper control arms.
New factory lower control arms and steering knuckles were incorporated into the front suspension, with the mounting locations and upper-arm design developed to achieve the required geometry.
The custom chassis taking shape in the Wits End shop.
Retaining the original body while working through chassis and drivetrain fitment.
03 / Bringing the systems together
Air ride, custom suspension
and Cummins power.
The build incorporated independent front suspension, air ride, a rear suspension with a Watts linkage, and installation of a 24-valve Cummins engine. Beneath the weathered sheet metal, the chassis and suspension took on an entirely new form.
A closer look at the rear suspension, Watts linkage and air springs.
Custom frame and rear suspension details.
04 / The handoff—and the miles since
Our foundation.
The customer’s next chapter.
Our agreed scope was to deliver the truck at the rolling-chassis stage. The customer then took over the remaining work to get it running.
Since completing his portion of the build, he has put thousands of miles on the truck—taking the project from CAD drawings and fabricated steel to real use on the road.
The original body on its new foundation during the build.
Bring us the problem.
Have a vehicle or fabrication project that needs a custom approach? Let’s talk through the goal and the scope.
