The Upfit Insider was built out of frustration.

Frustration that this entire industry — the one that moves cities, clears snow, builds roads, powers utilities — is still hidden in the shadows online. Try Googling how to spec a chipper truck or choose between a hoist or scissor lift. Good luck.

I started in 2019 as an inside sales rep with zero knowledge. Didn’t know what a hitch plate was. I thought “cab chassis” meant some sort of taxi.

But like most of us in this space — I learned the hard way. From mentors. From mistakes. From walkarounds that went sideways. And eventually… from success.

And when I started posting about it? No one cared.

Zero likes. Zero comments. Zero followers.

Today, we’ve built a LinkedIn community of 16,000+ strong — averaging 20,000 to 100,000 weekly impressions. And now? We’re bringing that same real-world, field-tested info here to The Upfit Insider.

Who We’re For

We built this for the folks who spec, sell, build, or operate work trucks for a living:

• Fleet managers & head mechanics

• DPWs, sanitation & utilities

• Landscapers, builders & snow pros

• Commercial truck reps & upfitters

• Body manufacturers, accessory brands, and tool suppliers

• And the lone end user just trying to learn what a PTO is

What You’ll Find Here

We break down what matters — in plain language, backed by real experience:

• 📋 Spec Sheets & Upfit Checklists

• 🧰 Tool & Body Breakdowns

• 📰 Industry Trends & Tech

• 💸 Cost Guidance & Sales Tips

• 🔧 Real Talk on What Works and What Doesn’t

If you’ve ever been burned by a rushed quote, an out-of-spec unit, or a “standard install” that wasn’t even close — this is where you learn how to do it right.

Why It’s Worth It

The average work truck runs $150,000. One wrong spec or skipped bolt can blow five figures in resale value, downtime, or callbacks.

We’re here to help you avoid that.

And it’s not $30/month or $250/year.

It’s $15/month — cheaper than your lunch — to save you thousands in mistakes and keep you ahead of the curve.

A Note from Leyhan

I started The Upfit Insider because no one else would.

Because too many guys with decades of knowledge are retiring without passing it on.

Because too many trucks are still being delivered wrong.

Because I know firsthand what it feels like to spec something you didn’t understand — and eat the cost.

If this newsletter helps even one company or town avoid that? It’s worth it.

But I built it to help everybody.

—Leyhan
Founder, The Upfit Insider