Ol’ Tessie is more than a vehicle on Ashes of the Damned. The vehicle is a moving safe spot, a mobile workshop, and with the right parts the vehicle becomes a killing machine. Many players practice the steps in a CoD BO7 Bot Lobby so they can learn routes and timing without risking a live high-round run.



The full upgrade for Ol’ Tessie ties directly into the map’s Easter Egg and the Pack-a-Punch install. You cannot just click an upgrade menu. You must follow several map tasks and gather a few odd items first. The upgrade is mechanical and messy by design. The payoff is worth it: a tougher vehicle that can tank hits, deal damage, and make high-round runs far safer.



Step 1: Hunt the special zombie at Reba’s Diner and grab the Freezer Key. Drive or run to Reba’s and watch the diner grounds closely. The special zombie looks different from normal spawns and often patrols a small zone near the building. Kill that zombie and pick up the Freezer Key it drops. The key can vanish if you die or drop it, so secure the area before you grab it and move on right away.



Step 2: Use the Freezer Key to open the locked freezer and retrieve the Abomination Carcass. The freezer is close to the diner but its door may be tucked around a wall or behind crates. Unlock the freezer, step inside, and pick up the carcass. The carcass is a large item and it may slow your movement briefly while you carry it. Clear nearby zombies before you grab it and plan a safe path back to Ol’ Tessie so you do not get cornered with a heavy item.



Step 3: Drive Ol’ Tessie to the Ashwood garage and start the workbench sequence. The garage is the upgrade hub. Park Tessie inside the bay and find the workbench. Interact with the bench to begin the installation. The game plays a short animation while the carcass is fitted and systems are rewritten. Stay alert while the animation runs because zombie waves can spawn. Use quick field repairs, place a temporary turret, or clear the room before you begin the work to make sure the installation finishes cleanly.



After installation the changes are obvious. Ol’ Tessie gains more armor and a set of offensive mods. The vehicle often gets a mounted weapon upgrade, improved ramming damage, and better handling so you can weave through groups without losing speed. These changes let you use Tessie offensively in tight spots and defensively when the team needs to retreat. The upgrade also tends to reduce repair costs and lets you survive splash damage that would kill a stock vehicle.



Keep a light secondary weapon and a repair kit on hand in case Tessie’s health drops. If you practice the full loop in a BO7 Bot Lobby you can rehearse where the special zombie spawns, how long the freezer interaction takes, and the safest route back to the garage without wasting a live run. Bot lobbies are great for learning the timing so your real attempts go smoothly.



Small details matter. Clear the garage area before you start the workbench. If you carry the carcass into a cluster of zombies you risk losing it on down. Use the vehicle’s new offensive tools to open a lane and then park for the install so you can finish without pressure.