If you’re looking for a purpose-built crane body that handles the demands of oilfield service, heavy mechanical work, or industrial maintenance, STI crane bodies from Service Truck International are one of the most respected options on the market — and Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX is your regional source.
What Are STI Crane Bodies?
STI (Service Truck International) builds integrated crane body systems designed from the ground up around the crane — not as an afterthought. Unlike a standard service body with a crane bolted on, STI crane body configurations are engineered as a unified unit. The subframe, body compartments, outrigger mounting points, and structural reinforcements are all coordinated to handle the load ratings and torque cycles of truck-mounted crane work.
At Star Truck Equipment, we stock and source STI crane body configurations ranging from lighter utility setups to full heavy-duty mechanics truck configurations rated for serious lifting capacity. Common configurations include:
- STI Crane Body with Autocrane or Tiger Crane integration — STI builds around crane manufacturers for a factory-matched fit
- STI Mechanic Truck body with crane — Full-featured mechanics truck with integrated crane, tool storage, welder compartment, and air system plumbing
- STI Lube/Crane combo bodies — Combine crane capability with lube skid and fluid management system for oilfield use
Truck Fitment for STI Crane Bodies
STI crane bodies are built for cab-chassis trucks — primarily DRW (dual rear wheel) configurations due to the weight and stability requirements of crane work. Common platforms include:
- Ford F-450 and F-550 — most common SRW and DRW platform for medium-duty crane bodies
- Ram 4500 and Ram 5500 — cab-chassis platform with strong payload ratings
- Ford F-600 — growing option for heavier crane configurations
- Medium-duty trucks (Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD) — for heavier crane body builds
Cab-to-axle (CA) measurement is critical for crane body fitment. STI builds crane bodies to standard CA lengths (60″, 84″, 96″, 108″) to match the truck chassis spec. When you call us, have your truck’s CA measurement ready — or we can help you spec the right chassis for the body you need.
STI Crane Body Features
- Heavy-gauge steel construction with powder-coat finish
- Integrated outrigger mounting and reinforced frame rails
- Configurable compartment layouts for tools, air compressors, and fluid management
- Available with full electrical and hydraulic PTO systems
- Custom body lengths from 10′ to 16′ depending on chassis and crane selection
STI Crane Bodies vs. Competitors
STI crane bodies compete with Knapheide, Maintainer, and NAP in the service/crane body segment. STI is known for its integrated engineering approach — everything from wiring harnesses to crane mount geometry is designed as a system. This reduces field modifications and warranty issues. At Star Truck Equipment, we’ve worked with STI builds extensively and can walk you through how they compare to other brands for your specific application.
For a side-by-side comparison, see our crane bodies overview page and our STI brand page.
Pricing and Lead Times
STI crane body pricing varies widely based on crane tonnage, body length, compartment configuration, and chassis. Entry-level crane body builds typically start around $25,000–$35,000 for the body and crane combined; full mechanics truck packages with heavy crane and compressor can exceed $80,000–$100,000 before chassis. Lead times vary by spec — call us for current availability and factory order timelines.
Get a Quote on an STI Crane Body
Star Truck Equipment is located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 — centrally located to serve Houston, Victoria, San Antonio, and the South Texas oilfield corridor. Call us at (979) 532-1486 to discuss your crane body requirements, check current inventory, or get a quote on a factory-order STI crane body build.
You can also browse our service bodies for sale page for related configurations, or read our guide on how to choose the right crane body for your work truck.