Sterling Accessories & Parts

Sterling trucks are no longer made, but production ceased only a few years ago, and during the company’s brief history thousands of Class 5 through Class 8 medium and heavy-duty trucks were manufactured, with most still providing dependable service across the globe. Although the company was short-lived and not as well-known as industry stalwarts like Freightliner, Peterbilt, and Kenworth, Sterling had DNA that can be linked to transportation giants like Ford and Daimler, and the name Sterling can be traced to an independent truck manufacturer from the early 20th century.

The ancestors of modern Sterling trucks were the Ford L-Series trucks manufactured from 1970 to 1998. These Class 6 through 8 trucks were made in a plant near Louisville, Kentucky, and because of the L-Series designation were often referred to as “Ford Louisville” trucks. During their production run, L-Series trucks came in several hood lengths, with set-forward and set-back front axles, and with and without rear tandem axles. L-Series trucks could be configured as everything from dump trucks and cement mixers to semi-tractors. In response to competitors’ aerodynamic trucks, Ford released the Aeromax in 1988, which featured swept back fenders and composite headlights. Toward the end of production, the L-Series title was dropped and all models bore the nameplate Louisville or Aeromax.

Ford Motor Co. sold its heavy truck division to Freightliner, a subsidiary of Daimler-Benz, in 1996, and the last Louisville and Aeromax models were built in 1998. A new company named Sterling was created to market the former Ford products, with headquarters in Michigan and manufacturing plants in St. Thomas, Ontario and Portland Oregon. The original Sterling Company had been a maker of medium and heavy-duty trucks that originated in the early 1900s, and was purchased by White Trucks in the early 1950s. White retired the brand shortly after acquiring it and the nameplate went unused until being revived by Freightliner to take the place of the Ford blue oval. The new Sterling Company picked up where Ford stopped, building Class 8 tractors and cab and chassis models for vocational use that were sold in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

Among the trucks that Sterling marketed during its brief existence were the light medium-duty cab and chassis models Sterling 360 and Sterling Bullet. The 360 was a rebadged version of the cab over Mitsubishi Fuso FE, while the Bullet was based on the Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 cab and chassis trucks. The main lineup of trucks and the final range offered consisted of the Set-Back A-Line, the Set-Back L-Line, the Set-Forward L-Line, and the Acterra. The Set-Back A-Line was Sterling’s top of the line long haul tractor. It featured a comfortable cab with excellent visibility and maneuverability, and it could be ordered with a sleeper. A wide range of powerful and fuel efficient engines were available along with several different transmissions. The Set-Back L-Line truck was the workhorse of the lineup, available with a range of engines, frames, and suspensions to allow configuration to specific applications.

The Set-Forward L-Line truck had a longer wheelbase for better weight distribution as well as more room under the cab for fuel tanks, battery boxes and other equipment. This truck also featured a lightweight, aerodynamic sloped hood that provided better visibility. The Acterra was a versatile, driver friendly midrange truck with a roomy cab, sloped hood and large windshield for excellent visibility, easy handling, and standard automatic transmission. It was available with a range of engine, frame and suspension choices enabling it be configured for many different applications. In October 2008 Daimler Trucks North America announced that it would discontinue the Sterling line of trucks and concentrate on its Freightliner and Western Star products. The company stopped taking orders in January 2009 and the manufacturing plants closed shortly afterward.

While the company has been relegated to the dustbin of history, your Sterling truck is still a valuable piece of equipment, one that will continue to provide many years and miles of service with the right care, and we have the parts and accessories to help you do it. A program of regular maintenance that includes products like our quality fluids and filters is a key factor in truck longevity, and when routine service or timely repairs are necessary, we have the parts to quickly get your truck back on the road. Trucks operate day in and day out in all kinds of weather and if left unchecked the finish can be seriously degraded. You can avoid permanent paint damage and corrosion and keep your truck looking its best when you maintain the exterior with our appearance products.

Dress your vehicle up. Keep it running at its peak or unleash its hidden power. Make it look like it just rolled off the show room floor. Take care of it and maintain it. You name it, we've got it. We have gathered everything you need to make your Sterling perfect both inside and out. CARiD's job is to meet your every expectation and provide you with quality and durable accessories and parts designed with excellence in mind. Whether you're after luxurious style, brisk performance, or anything in between, our wide assortment covers all the bases.