Well a while back I figured it was time for a crew cab due to the little guy getting bigger and well a regular cab not being to comfy for us to travel in. After looking at a used LMM and comparing with discounts on a new one I decided to bite the bullet and buy exactly what I wanted. After all it has always been my dream to have a crew cab dually. :thumb:
Ended up going to my dealer on Friday the 13th in March and actually doing the ordering of the new truck. While online I came across Pete (kampfitt) who works at the Flint Assembly Plant and mentioned to another member build tours are available. A quick PM and he explained I just needed to know my order number and then with that info I was able to contact someone at the plant who organizes the visits. This was all started on March 30th and the dealer had a build week of April 13th.
After a few emails back and forth about location, suggested hotels I was all set and traveled down this past Monday April 13th for a tour on Tuesday.
Well having attended a few tours of different plants this one surpassed all my expectations. No cameras are allowed as is it at most companies however that wasn't an issue as during the tour Robin took many pictures and then emailed them to me. Actually feel that setup is alot better than me taking any due to the simple fact I wasn't focused on taking pictures, actually got to pay all attention to what was being done.
Because of time allowances the truck is obviously already painted upon arrival, the cab assembly has started as had the chassis. Timing worked out great because when we entered the work place the chassis was just coming around for hookups and filler neck installation followed up by tire install. You now get to follow the truck along it's way to full assembly. Cab gets more parts installed as well as mating between the cab/box and chassis. It's quite the system with lots of checks and double checks along the way. After the body is placed onto the frame it goes back downstairs to the final line. Here fluids are filled, I don't think i've ever seen coolant filled so fast in my life. It's done like an a/c system where you put it in a vacuum first then it sucks Freon or in this case coolant in quick. Fenders are now installed along with hood, doors are aligned, ect. To my amazement I was even able to help with the assembly by bolting the right side fender on. To ensure gap is consistent installers have a plastic feeler gauge.
Once everything is assembled it comes time to test, once again I was invited to get in and see what all is done including being the first one to start my new truck. There is a wireless OBD2 tool that programs the keys and ECM. Once you get the green light to start there is functions listed on the tool you must check to be sure they work. In my case we ended up failing while the unit was checking antennas it discovered the satellite antenna wasn't connected. For some reason along the way it was missed but picked up during the initial testing check. For this there is a spot the truck can be parked for the repair.
Due to that and me wanting to see the rest of the testing I was able to hop into the next truck along the line and go through the run ins with it. An alignment is done, head lights are aimed as well as testing the shift linkage. Next you enter a booth with a 4 wheel dyno type setup. You go through every range and gear in the truck, brakes are checked, abs is used. After this the truck is moved to another section of the building on a conveyor where it will go through another quality control series of checks.
I noticed at this point the box is not sprayed with a liner yet, the facility that does that is located near by but not on site so it will be headed there and hopefully shipped out soon after.
Photos of my truck assembly, https://flic.kr/s/aHsk9EvHP5
Now the painful part starts. Knowing it's built but waiting for it to be shipped.
IMG_0995 (1024x957) by funinmud, on Flickr
Ended up going to my dealer on Friday the 13th in March and actually doing the ordering of the new truck. While online I came across Pete (kampfitt) who works at the Flint Assembly Plant and mentioned to another member build tours are available. A quick PM and he explained I just needed to know my order number and then with that info I was able to contact someone at the plant who organizes the visits. This was all started on March 30th and the dealer had a build week of April 13th.
After a few emails back and forth about location, suggested hotels I was all set and traveled down this past Monday April 13th for a tour on Tuesday.
Well having attended a few tours of different plants this one surpassed all my expectations. No cameras are allowed as is it at most companies however that wasn't an issue as during the tour Robin took many pictures and then emailed them to me. Actually feel that setup is alot better than me taking any due to the simple fact I wasn't focused on taking pictures, actually got to pay all attention to what was being done.
Because of time allowances the truck is obviously already painted upon arrival, the cab assembly has started as had the chassis. Timing worked out great because when we entered the work place the chassis was just coming around for hookups and filler neck installation followed up by tire install. You now get to follow the truck along it's way to full assembly. Cab gets more parts installed as well as mating between the cab/box and chassis. It's quite the system with lots of checks and double checks along the way. After the body is placed onto the frame it goes back downstairs to the final line. Here fluids are filled, I don't think i've ever seen coolant filled so fast in my life. It's done like an a/c system where you put it in a vacuum first then it sucks Freon or in this case coolant in quick. Fenders are now installed along with hood, doors are aligned, ect. To my amazement I was even able to help with the assembly by bolting the right side fender on. To ensure gap is consistent installers have a plastic feeler gauge.
Once everything is assembled it comes time to test, once again I was invited to get in and see what all is done including being the first one to start my new truck. There is a wireless OBD2 tool that programs the keys and ECM. Once you get the green light to start there is functions listed on the tool you must check to be sure they work. In my case we ended up failing while the unit was checking antennas it discovered the satellite antenna wasn't connected. For some reason along the way it was missed but picked up during the initial testing check. For this there is a spot the truck can be parked for the repair.
Due to that and me wanting to see the rest of the testing I was able to hop into the next truck along the line and go through the run ins with it. An alignment is done, head lights are aimed as well as testing the shift linkage. Next you enter a booth with a 4 wheel dyno type setup. You go through every range and gear in the truck, brakes are checked, abs is used. After this the truck is moved to another section of the building on a conveyor where it will go through another quality control series of checks.
I noticed at this point the box is not sprayed with a liner yet, the facility that does that is located near by but not on site so it will be headed there and hopefully shipped out soon after.
Photos of my truck assembly, https://flic.kr/s/aHsk9EvHP5
Now the painful part starts. Knowing it's built but waiting for it to be shipped.
IMG_0995 (1024x957) by funinmud, on Flickr
