Buying an All American Truck

[CountrySquire]

Considering a new truck purchase. I want the 3/4 ton truck with the big engine for towing. I think Chevy has the highest american content. The Dodge 3/4 tons are all made in Mexico, engine and body. I know the Ford's are built here at Michigan truck and I know the new diesels are built in Mexico afer Ford severed ties with Navistar. How about the gas engine line up, like the new 6.2L is that built here or in Mexico?

[bailey]

wait, i thought it didn't matter where cars and trucks were built...only where the profits went?

[Scottathew]

There's no such thing as an All-American automobile.

Also, keep in mind when you buy American you're supporting the far-left via giving money to the UAW.

[davewindsor]

How about the gas engine line up, like the new 6.2L is that built here or in Mexico?

Ford's website says they're built at the Romeo Michigan Engine Plant http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=31019
ROBUST, FORD TOUGH: ALL-NEW 6.2-LITER GASOLINE ENGINE COMPLEMENTS 2011 FORD SUPER DUTY

• The 2011 Super Duty with the all-new Ford 6.2-liter V-8 engine will deliver significantly improved torque and horsepower as well as class-leading fuel economy; it can run on regular-grade gasoline, E85 or any blend in between
• Optimization of the engine’s “breathing” delivers increased horsepower compared with outgoing F-250/F-350 6.8-liter engine
• Base engine performing flawlessly in Ford F-150 SVT Rapor R off-road racing truck, complementing rigorous testing regimen

DALLAS, Sept. 24, 2009 – An all-new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine, which has its roots in Ford Racing powerplants, joins the lineup for the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty.
“Our all-new 6.2-liter V-8 engine uses reliable components and proven technology that has been optimized for the high performance and efficiency that our Super Duty customers demand,” said Mike Harrison, Ford V-8 engine programs manager. “It delivers not only significantly better torque and horsepower than the outgoing engine, but also improved fuel economy.”
Core to the improvements is the adoption of an all-new engine architecture, with increased bore spacing, that allows better engine “breathing” in both the intake and exhaust for more power and more overall efficiency.
A closer look at how the new engine achieves its performance:

• Large bore, shorter stroke: This approach to creating power has its roots in storied Ford racing engines from the past. The large bore [[102 mm) allows for larger intake and exhaust valves for improved engine breathing, and the short stroke [[95 mm) allows higher engine speed for increased horsepower. Still, peak horsepower is generated at a relatively modest 5,500 rpm.

• SOHC valvetrain with roller-rocker shafts: The single overhead camshaft [[SOHC) per cylinder head design results in a stiff valvetrain that allows optimized camshaft lift profiles and helps produce great low-speed torque. The roller-rocker shafts allow valve angles to be splayed, resulting in optimized intake and exhaust port layout for better breathing.

• Dual-equal variable cam timing: Intake and exhaust valve opening and closing events are phased at the same time to optimize fuel economy and performance throughout the engine speed range and throttle positions.

• Two spark plugs per cylinder: Because of the large bore size, two spark plugs per cylinder are used to more efficiently burn the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber, enabling better fuel economy and increased engine torque. The twin plugs also help the engine maintain a smooth, stable idle.

• Dual knock sensors: A knock sensor on each bank of cylinders of the V-8 engine allows the spark timing of each of the cylinders to be individually optimized real time, throughout the engine speed range. The engine continuously monitors engine performance and applies this real-time learning to optimize timing via an adaptive algorithm.

• Better engine crankcase “breathing” and efficiency: Significant development work and computer-aided engineering optimized the cylinder block for more efficient airflow in the crankcase as the pistons move up and down in the bores, resulting in improved torque at higher engine speeds. Piston-cooling jets squirt oil on the underside of the pistons to keep the piston crowns cool under extreme operating conditions. The cooling jets also allow for a higher compression ratio for better engine efficiency and faster engine oil warm-up on cold starts, also improving fuel economy.

Key features of the new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine include:

• Cast-iron engine block and four-bolt main bearing caps, with cross bolts, for durability
• Aluminum cylinder heads, with two valves per cylinder and two spark plugs per cylinder
• Cast-iron crankshaft, with dual-mode damper
• Forged steel connecting rods
• Cast-aluminum pistons, with cooling jets
• Single overhead camshaft with variable valve timing and roller-rocker shaft valvetrain
• Magnesium cam covers for lighter weight
• Stamped-steel oil pan
• Composite intake manifold
• Stainless-steel fuel rail; port-fuel-injected; mechanical returnless fuel system
• 9.8:1 compression ratio
• E85/flex fuel capable

Performance heritage with proven durability and reliability
The concept of using a large-bore engine to make horsepower is part of Ford’s DNA, especially its racing heritage – the famous Ford Boss 302 and 351 engines, for example, pioneered many of the same concepts. Several racing projects proved out the performance, durability and flexibility of the new 6.2-liter V-8 engine architecture.
Among the racing-themed highlights that contributed to the engine’s development:

• A 7.0-liter version running on E85 fuel produced 800 horsepower in a winning Mustang drag racing application driven by Don Bowles
• A specially calibrated production-based 6.2-liter engine achieved 500 horsepower and ran flawlessly in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R race truck in the 2008 Baja 1000

Testing on the 6.2-liter V-8 included running multiple engines for more than 500 hours at peak torque and peak horsepower as well as customer-correlated 1,000-hour road load tests to ensure dependability for even the toughest Ford F-Series Super Duty customer.
All told, more than 50 engines were put through the dynamometer lab, running a variety of durability and development tests, undergoing extremes far harsher than can be expected – or duplicated – in the real world. Testing also included high-speed durability, crankshaft-torsional evaluation and engine thermal cycling where the running engine is “shocked” from one coolant temperature extreme to the other.
“From the first test on the dynamometer, this engine was very reliable,” said Bob DeBona, supervisor, Engine Performance and Development. “The precision that went into the engineering and manufacturing of this engine led to very few tweaks to the block during development. Components such as the crank, connecting rods, heads and intake manifold stayed essentially the same throughout our durability testing, which is a testament to the reliability of this new engine. It’s able to pound out the torque, hour after hour, week after week, demonstrating extreme durability.”
The new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine will be built at the Romeo [[Michigan) Engine Plant.

[DinNC]

There's no such thing as an All-American automobile.

Also, keep in mind when you buy American you're supporting the far-left via giving money to the UAW.

48091, you're an idiot!

When did buying a car become a political issue. Maybe he just wants to buy an American car. I think you need to get a life.

[rencense]

I believe all the F series are built either in dearborn, kentucky, or kansas city [[with the exception of incomplete trucks which i believe is mexico)

I was checking this out at a ford dealer a while ago and it seems like most of them had engines and trans sourced from the us [[some engines from canada) but I don't remember the percentages. Its a little tricky since different engines often come from different plants.

or you could always buy a toyota to make sure none of that money makes it to the evil UAW.....

[CountrySquire]

I don't think that Toyota or Datsun even make a 3/4 ton truck do they? Not that I'd ever consider one. The new Ford is pretty sweet but it's a little more expensive then the Chevy, probably because it's a newer model and the Chevy is more dated. I have no problem giving my money to organizations that support fair work practices and a living wage.

[DetroitPlanner]

Considering a new truck purchase. I want the 3/4 ton truck with the big engine for towing. I think Chevy has the highest american content. The Dodge 3/4 tons are all made in Mexico, engine and body. I know the Ford's are built here at Michigan truck and I know the new diesels are built in Mexico afer Ford severed ties with Navistar. How about the gas engine line up, like the new 6.2L is that built here or in Mexico?

Where did you get this information? Michigan Truck was replaced by Rouge years ago. Dodge City in Warren/Detroit builds trucks. Chevy makes trucks in Flint. Yes they make some trucks in Mexico, but not for this market.

I think the Tundra is a 3/4 truck.

[CountrySquire]

Rouge makes half ton trucks, Michigan truck makes 3/4, 1 and 1 1/5 ton trucks on Michigan Ave. Dodge builds thier half ton trucks and Dakotas in Warren but the 3/4, 1 and 1 1/5 ton trucks in Mexico. Chevy builds all thier heavy ones in Flint, the half ton ones are done in Ft Wayne and Oshawa. Not sure if their Mexican Plant makes pickups, but I know they build the Suburbans and Avalanches in Silao MX. That's what's listed on thier window stickers at the Dealer anyway.

[Detroitnerd]

There's no such thing as an All-American automobile.

Also, keep in mind when you buy American you're supporting the far-left via giving money to the UAW.

Buy foreign. Destroy America. That way, we'll all be unemployed. But at least there will be no unions! :P

[DetroitPlanner]

Rouge makes half ton trucks, Michigan truck makes 3/4, 1 and 1 1/5 ton trucks on Michigan Ave. Dodge builds thier half ton trucks and Dakotas in Warren but the 3/4, 1 and 1 1/5 ton trucks in Mexico. Chevy builds all thier heavy ones in Flint, the half ton ones are done in Ft Wayne and Oshawa. Not sure if their Mexican Plant makes pickups, but I know they build the Suburbans and Avalanches in Silao MX. That's what's listed on thier window stickers at the Dealer anyway.

Michigan truck does not build ANY trucks right now. Michgan truck is now producing the Focus and the old Escort/Focus plant is being readied for a mini-minivan based on the Focus [[C-Max) and electric vehicles.

I don't see what the point is about arguing or complaining about what trucks are not american made on this board. This is a Detroit area board not an anti-american car company board. I pointed out which factoris do produce trucks in the area. If you don't want those trucks fine, but this is not the place to complain. Yeah I wish more trucks were built around here too, but they are not. Get over it.

[CountrySquire]

That's interesting about Michigan Truck building focuses, I was not aware of those changes. I toured Rouge in 2008 so obviously those changes happened since then. As far as picking and choosing what we can complain about, there are far worse and more boring topics getting hashed out on the board every day so I hope you get after the people that like to talk about Detroit Crime and City Hall politics ad nauseum.

[Rocko]

Focuses [[and Escorts before them) used to be built at Wayne Assembly, which is the eastern half of the Wayne Complex. Michigan Truck was the western half - where they most recently made Expeditions and Navigators. The Truck side shut down in 08 or 09. A little over half a year ago, Ford started building the new 2011 Focuses at Michigan Assembly [[the renamed and completely retooled Michigan Truck side). Wayne Assembly is idle but I have heard Ford has plans to assemble something there in the future. Wayne Stamping is still open.

Ford currently builds trucks at Dearborn Truck [[Rouge), Kansas City, and Kentucky Truck [[Louisville).

Doesn't somebody build a truck outside of Fort Wayne? GM?

[GUSHI]

Tundra = 3/4 ton of rust

[Patrick]

Assembly is but one part of the total process of "building" a vehicle. Sadly, the white collar efforts of vehicle design are usually ignored.

[Lowell]

Check the VIN number. Cars made [final assembly] in the U.S. can have starting number of 1, 4 or 5. As others note that has nothing to do with the content. Nothing to do with what mom ate or where she lived, just where she gave birth.

[Cinderpath]

There is perhaps no more American, and for that matter Michigan made vehicle, than the Ford F-150, Steel comes from iron ore pellets down the Detroit River via boat into Rouge Steel, Engine: Romeo, Trans: Livonia. 3/4 ton trucks are built in Kentucky. Michigan Truck is now called Michigan Assembly Plant building the new, Focus, and later the C-Max.

On the GM Side, domestic built trucks [[3/4 ton or greater) are from Flint, 1/2 ton, Fort Wayne, In.

Dodge- Warren, MI assembly.

Some trucks are produced in Mexico-

And yes your purchase decisions support your state, local and national economy, and pay taxes to the schools you send your children to. Buying a Hyundai [[Or what ever, this is only an example) made in Korea only benefits people who are bettering their standard of living, while ours declines, our trade deficit widens, and our currency weakens.

[canuck]

I don't think that Toyota or Datsun even make a 3/4 ton truck do they? Not that I'd ever consider one. The new Ford is pretty sweet but it's a little more expensive then the Chevy, probably because it's a newer model and the Chevy is more dated. I have no problem giving my money to organizations that support fair work practices and a living wage.

Some poor marketing guy at Nissan must be scratching his head after all these years plugging a new brand name, folks are still saying Datsun.

[rsa.313]

Check the VIN number. Cars made [final assembly] in the U.S. can have starting number of 1, 4 or 5. As others note that has nothing to do with the content. Nothing to do with what mom ate or where she lived, just where she gave birth.

Here is a sample on how to decode the rest of a VIN number.

[CountrySquire]

Assembly is but one part of the total process of "building" a vehicle. Sadly, the white collar efforts of vehicle design are usually ignored.

I can relate as at my supplier job a lot of Ford's CAD data comes in from Mexico or Brazil and it is a pain in the ass to figure out and full of mistakes and trying to get in touch with anyone down there to get answers is really dificult. It's Vehicle specific though. For all the Ford Truck work I have done we have contacts in Dearborn, but for the small cars it's all south of the border.

[luckycar]

1=us.2=canada.3=mexico.this is for the first munber in the VIN.