When your truck is your workspace, every inch counts. 

That’s what vehicle upfitting is all about: turning a standard truck or van into a tool that works as hard as you do. Whether you’re managing a full fleet or running solo with one rig, the right setup means faster jobs, fewer delays, and safer crews.

The global vehicle upfitting service market grew from $726 million in 2022 to a projected $1.25 billion by 2029, showing just how many businesses are investing in customized builds to cut downtime and boost performance.

At Pacific Truck Colors, we’ve been upfitting commercial vehicles in Oregon for over 30 years. We know what works, what lasts, and how to get your vehicles ready for real-world jobs. In this guide, we’ll walk through the benefits of vehicle upfitting, the types of upgrades available, and why more service pros are choosing PTC to build out their trucks, vans, and fleets.

What is Vehicle Upfitting?

Vehicle upfitting is the process of customizing a truck, van, or fleet vehicle so it’s better equipped for the work you do. This isn’t routine maintenance or repairs. It’s about building out your vehicle with the right tools, storage, and systems to keep jobs moving and crews safe.

Upfitting can include things like shelving, ladder racks, bulkheads, toolboxes, lighting, power inverters, and safety gear. Every piece is added for a reason. Whether you’re hauling tools to a jobsite, responding to service calls, or running deliveries across town, the goal is to make your vehicle more useful, not just road-ready.

A standard work truck or cargo van might get you from point A to B. But an upfit vehicle gets you there with everything in reach, everything secured, and nothing rolling around in the back. That’s the difference.

At PTC, we don’t just install parts. We look at how you work, what your crew needs, and what it’ll take to get the job done faster and safer with a vehicle that’s built for it.

Benefits of Commercial Vehicle Upfitting

Commercial vehicle upfitting is one of the most practical ways to boost efficiency, performance, and safety across your fleet. Whether you’re running a single service van or dozens of trucks, upfitting helps your team do more with less downtime.

Here’s what a well-upfit vehicle can deliver:

• Better efficiency: Organized storage means less time spent searching for tools and more time on the job. Everything has its place, which cuts prep time and keeps jobs moving. For example, Sortimo research found that upfitted vans with custom shelving can save technicians around 30 minutes per day searching for tools. If you calculate that with a $30/hour wage, 218 workdays, and 100 techs, you’re looking at a potential annual saving of over $327,000!

• Improved safety: Secured gear and equipment reduce the risk of injuries and accidents. Proper mounts, tie-downs, and partitions keep crews protected and loads compliant with safety standards.

• Higher productivity: Vehicles built for your trade help crews get more done in a day. When tools and materials are easy to access, workers can move faster and handle more calls or tasks.

• Lower long-term costs: Upfitting protects your investment. It helps prevent damage, minimizes wear and tear, and can extend the usable life of your vehicles.

• Better team morale: A well-equipped truck or van is easier to use and shows your crew you value their time and safety. That can go a long way when it comes to employee retention and performance.

Upfitting is more than a modification. It’s a way to make your vehicles work harder for your business without needing more of them.

Types of Vehicle Upfitting

Vehicle upfitting should never be a cookie-cutter process. What a plumber needs in a van looks nothing like what a utility crew needs in a service truck. That’s why we build setups based on how you actually use your vehicle.

Here’s a look at some of the most common upgrades we install:

• Lighting: Whether you’re working before sunrise or wrapping up after dark, you need to see what you’re doing. We install interior lighting, work lights, and exterior LEDs to keep your crew safe and on task no matter the conditions.

• Shelving and storage: No more digging through loose tools in the back. We install shelves, bins, racks, and drawers that fit your gear and keep it locked in place. The goal is to get you in and out faster without wasting time hunting for parts.

• Security: Tools and equipment are expensive. We add locking compartments, partitions, and reinforced storage that helps protect your stuff whether you’re on a jobsite or parked overnight.

• Tech and power: From GPS and fleet tracking to inverters and onboard power, we help keep your vehicles wired for the job. If your crew relies on laptops, tools, or chargers, we can make sure your setup is ready to support it.

• Heavy equipment installs: For larger jobs, we handle crane systems, liftgates, ladder racks, welders, utility bodies, and other heavy-duty gear. We’ll make sure the frame, power, and controls are all up to spec and ready for use.

These upgrades can be installed on a single truck or rolled out across your whole fleet. No matter the trade, we’ll build it to work the way you do.

Truck Upfitting: Key Considerations & Solutions

Service trucks take a beating. Between daily wear, heavy loads, and tight jobsite timelines, they need to be set up for real work, not just transportation. With truck upfitting, a few things matter most: staying within payload capacity, making gear easy to access, protecting tools from weather and theft, and making sure any power systems or lifting equipment are installed safely and correctly. A good build should feel natural to work out of, not like something you’re fighting against all day.

Common truck upfitting solutions include:

• Lockable toolboxes and compartment storage
• Ladder and pipe racks
• Cranes, hoists, and liftgates
• Onboard power systems (inverters, air compressors, generators)
• Safety strobes, work lighting, and visibility upgrades

These upgrades can be tailored to fit pickups, service bodies, flatbeds, and utility trucks. The right setup helps crews move faster, stay organized, and avoid unnecessary downtime.

Van Upfitting: Key Considerations & Solutions

Cargo vans are a popular choice for trades because they offer enclosed space, security, and flexibility. But left unorganized, they quickly turn into rolling tool piles. A well-upfit van should feel like a mobile workshop. That means smart shelving, clean pathways, secured tools, and lighting that lets you see what you’re doing no matter the time of day. The goal is to get in, grab what you need, and get back to work without wasting time or risking injury.

Popular van upfitting solutions include:

• Custom shelving and bin systems for parts and tools
• Steel partitions between the cab and cargo area
• Interior lighting for better visibility in low-light conditions
• Floor liners and wall panels for durability and noise reduction
• Roof racks and rear access ladders

With the right layout, even a compact van can carry everything you need for the day without feeling cramped or chaotic. It’s about working smarter, not packing tighter.

Fleet Upfitting: Key Considerations & Solutions

When you’re managing a fleet, consistency is everything. Whether you have five vehicles or fifty, a smart upfitting strategy helps keep tools organized, crews safe, and operations running smoothly. Every vehicle should be set up the same way so techs can hop between rigs without confusion. Branding, safety features, and storage layouts should match across the board to make training easier and reduce downtime.

Key fleet upfitting solutions include:

• Standardized shelving and storage layouts across vehicles
• Branded vehicle wraps and decals for a professional, consistent look
• Backup cameras, lighting, and safety systems
• GPS tracking and telematics integrations
• Secure, uniform tool storage and access points

A well-upfit fleet is easier to manage, easier to maintain, and better for business. It shows up looking sharp, works efficiently, and helps your crew stay focused on the job.

Fleet Vehicle Upfitting Process

Upfitting a fleet doesn’t need to slow down your operation. With the right process in place, vehicles can be brought in, built out, and sent back into the field with minimal downtime. Whether you’re upfitting one truck or coordinating a rollout across your entire fleet, the steps stay simple—and everything happens under one roof.

Here’s what the typical fleet vehicle upfitting process looks like:

• Request a free quote: Start by sharing details about your vehicle needs. From basic tool storage to full-body builds, you’ll get a clear estimate with the right options for your trade and workload.

• Schedule the work: Once the plan is approved, the install team will coordinate with your schedule to keep things moving efficiently.

• Bring in your vehicle(s): Vehicles are serviced on-site at a full-service facility equipped to handle commercial installs. The same team can also take care of any needed paint, body work, or custom vehicle graphics while the upfit is underway.

• Get back on the road: Once installation is complete, vehicles are cleaned, checked, and ready to return to service. All equipment is installed by experienced techs using proven components built to last.

This process keeps your fleet in one place and on one timeline. No bouncing between vendors, no delays from off-site work. From first quote to final install, everything is streamlined to get your team what they need and get them back to the job.

The Best Fleet, Van, and Truck Upfitting Portland Has to Offer

Upfitting plays a critical role in how well your vehicles support the work you do. From improved safety and organization to increased productivity and longer vehicle life, the right setup can make a real difference, whether you’re running a single service truck or managing a full commercial fleet.

For over 20 years, Pacific Truck Colors has been upfitting commercial vehicles across Oregon. As one of the region’s largest full-service truck equipment shops, we handle everything in-house—from custom installs and heavy equipment integration to fleet graphics, paint, and bodywork. Our goal is simple: to build vehicles that make your work easier and more efficient.

If you’re planning your next upfit, let’s talk. We’ll ensure your fleet meets your needs and is built for the long haul.