Kansas City v. Norfolk
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hey JDF,
Perhaps you do not understand what they're doing there in Norfolk. That is where they launched the new platform, and that is where they implement new changes first, simply becuse of that plant's known ability to get the procedures right, they set the standards for the rest of the F-150 assembly plants. Ford Motor Company isn't stupid, they do this where it gets done the best, that's why they use the Norfolk plant like that. It's not like Norfolk has poor quality because they do things there first, it's just the opposite, they use that plant to iron out and bulletproof their assembly procedures & techniques, and that wouldn't happen if they weren't the best plant to do that at, Ford knows exactly what they're doing in that regard. You should take a tour sometime, if you're ever in the area, I think you'd find it very interesting and confidence-inspiring, I know that all of us from F-150 Online did when we took out tour.
I'd rather have a Norfolk-built F-150 anyday, not that any of the other plants aren't capable of good quality, I'd just prefer Norfolk.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
Perhaps you do not understand what they're doing there in Norfolk. That is where they launched the new platform, and that is where they implement new changes first, simply becuse of that plant's known ability to get the procedures right, they set the standards for the rest of the F-150 assembly plants. Ford Motor Company isn't stupid, they do this where it gets done the best, that's why they use the Norfolk plant like that. It's not like Norfolk has poor quality because they do things there first, it's just the opposite, they use that plant to iron out and bulletproof their assembly procedures & techniques, and that wouldn't happen if they weren't the best plant to do that at, Ford knows exactly what they're doing in that regard. You should take a tour sometime, if you're ever in the area, I think you'd find it very interesting and confidence-inspiring, I know that all of us from F-150 Online did when we took out tour.
I'd rather have a Norfolk-built F-150 anyday, not that any of the other plants aren't capable of good quality, I'd just prefer Norfolk.
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,985
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati, OH
Norfolk consistently has the best quality of any Ford assembly plant, just got a "Pride" amgazine (a UAW publication) today with a story about Norfolk and Quality.
Your 4.6 is prolly a Windsor, the Romeo models are mostly the Car models, I'm pretty sure. As for the tranny, it is a 4R70W built at livonia. A 4R100 (actually in 97 would've been called E4OD, but they're the same transmission) built at Sharonville, which in my totally biased opinion builds the best transmissions in Ford. I work at Sharonville, truth in advertising. Anyhow, the 4R100 is the much better transmission over the 4R70, the last too digits are the maximum torque rating,add a zero and you get the rating,so a 4R70 is 700 ft/lbs, a 4R100 is 1,000 ft/lbs. You set the two next to each other on a workbench and the 4R70 looks like a toy. For all that, it's still a good box, just the 4R100 is that much bigger and better. You can't have one of those, though, no E4OD or 4R100 is made for the 4.6L engine.
The assembly plants all have special models that only they make, such as all Super Crews are Kansas City, all Lighnings and 2000 Harley Davidsons are built in Ontario, etc...but the garden variety F-150 will come from a plant to a given region of the country, I think Norfolk makes most of the east of the Missippi, Kansas City west with some Ontarios thrown in for some parts. Some parts of the country get whatever is availible and whoever can build it soonest, but as a general rule, if you live in one part of the country, chances are you'll get one from whichever plant normally ship to that region. I know there are exceptions to this, though. Where I live, if you look at 100 F-150s, you'll find 95 from Norfolk, 2 from Ontario and 3 from KC. Unless you're looking at a model only built in one place, like a Lighting.
GBE
Your 4.6 is prolly a Windsor, the Romeo models are mostly the Car models, I'm pretty sure. As for the tranny, it is a 4R70W built at livonia. A 4R100 (actually in 97 would've been called E4OD, but they're the same transmission) built at Sharonville, which in my totally biased opinion builds the best transmissions in Ford. I work at Sharonville, truth in advertising. Anyhow, the 4R100 is the much better transmission over the 4R70, the last too digits are the maximum torque rating,add a zero and you get the rating,so a 4R70 is 700 ft/lbs, a 4R100 is 1,000 ft/lbs. You set the two next to each other on a workbench and the 4R70 looks like a toy. For all that, it's still a good box, just the 4R100 is that much bigger and better. You can't have one of those, though, no E4OD or 4R100 is made for the 4.6L engine.
The assembly plants all have special models that only they make, such as all Super Crews are Kansas City, all Lighnings and 2000 Harley Davidsons are built in Ontario, etc...but the garden variety F-150 will come from a plant to a given region of the country, I think Norfolk makes most of the east of the Missippi, Kansas City west with some Ontarios thrown in for some parts. Some parts of the country get whatever is availible and whoever can build it soonest, but as a general rule, if you live in one part of the country, chances are you'll get one from whichever plant normally ship to that region. I know there are exceptions to this, though. Where I live, if you look at 100 F-150s, you'll find 95 from Norfolk, 2 from Ontario and 3 from KC. Unless you're looking at a model only built in one place, like a Lighting.
GBE
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Phillips Ranch, CA USA
Hoping to drain my 4R70W this week and install a plug, LE 7500 ATF, & also drain the TC using a breaker bar on the FlyWhl. Since getting on here and reading stuff. Now, I'm all hot to do a transgo shift improver, superchip, velocity tube, cat-back.... It doesn't ever really end does it? Of course then after that when I get bored again it'll be... 3" spindles, 35's, some type of lockers, ... lot's of mud...
q. How does one go about eating an elephant?
a. One bite at a time.
Both mine (KC) and my brother's (Nor) 2WD 4.6 SC 150's are both doing great. I get around 35% better mileage than his, but he actually uses his for work w/35's and I'm just cruisin' to work w/255's.
Sounds like most light trucks w/4.6's have the Windsor plant 4.6. And most of the trans's for these are from Sharonville. That's kinda what I was wondering. Thanks for the input.
------------------
97 XLT SC w/63k mi. 3:55, 4.6L, 3.5" Fabtech coils w/arms & 2" add-a-leafs, snug lid, Tow package, 6CD, Auto, avg. 17.2 MPG w/ Goodyear GA 255/75/16's
future mods:BFG 285/75/16's, Trans-go shift kit,
80-90k mi. mods: 3" spindles, centerline rims with 35's
<creativepen@yahoo.com>
q. How does one go about eating an elephant?
a. One bite at a time.
Both mine (KC) and my brother's (Nor) 2WD 4.6 SC 150's are both doing great. I get around 35% better mileage than his, but he actually uses his for work w/35's and I'm just cruisin' to work w/255's.
Sounds like most light trucks w/4.6's have the Windsor plant 4.6. And most of the trans's for these are from Sharonville. That's kinda what I was wondering. Thanks for the input.
------------------
97 XLT SC w/63k mi. 3:55, 4.6L, 3.5" Fabtech coils w/arms & 2" add-a-leafs, snug lid, Tow package, 6CD, Auto, avg. 17.2 MPG w/ Goodyear GA 255/75/16's
future mods:BFG 285/75/16's, Trans-go shift kit,
80-90k mi. mods: 3" spindles, centerline rims with 35's
<creativepen@yahoo.com>
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: WI USA
My hats off to the Norfolk plant they really did a great job on my truck. It’s 1 ½ years old 11,500 miles and no troubles what so ever. I run her pretty hard too, I like hitting the torque band between 2700 – 3500 rmps.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: WI USA
My hats off to the Norfolk plant they really did a great job on my truck. It’s 1 ½ years old 11,500 miles and no troubles what so ever. I run her pretty hard too, I like hitting the torque band between 2700 – 3500 rmps.
------------------
99' F-150 XLT 4.6L SC 4X4 ORP LS
- Ariad FIPK
- Superchip
- ASP Underdrive Pulleys
- Accel Coil Packs
- FMS 9MM Plug Wires
- Rapidflow 3" single CatBack exhaust
- Fluidyne Trany cooler
- A.R.E. Hard Tonue Cover
- Duraliner bed liner
- W Bucky Badger Hitch Cover
- Mobil1 5W-30
------------------
99' F-150 XLT 4.6L SC 4X4 ORP LS
- Ariad FIPK
- Superchip
- ASP Underdrive Pulleys
- Accel Coil Packs
- FMS 9MM Plug Wires
- Rapidflow 3" single CatBack exhaust
- Fluidyne Trany cooler
- A.R.E. Hard Tonue Cover
- Duraliner bed liner
- W Bucky Badger Hitch Cover
- Mobil1 5W-30
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Phillips Ranch, CA USA
I wish I could find my powerband. Just installed 285's and the computer's still getting adjusted. Might need some 4:34's or something.
------------------
97 XLT SC 3:55, 4.6L, 3.5" Fabtech coils w/arms & 2" add-a-leafs, snug lid, Tow package, 6CD, Auto, BFG 285/75/16 on stock alloys
immediate any-day-now mods: Trans-go stage 2 (using stage 1)
someday mods: 3" spindles, centerline rims with 35's
<creativepen@yahoo.com>
------------------
97 XLT SC 3:55, 4.6L, 3.5" Fabtech coils w/arms & 2" add-a-leafs, snug lid, Tow package, 6CD, Auto, BFG 285/75/16 on stock alloys
immediate any-day-now mods: Trans-go stage 2 (using stage 1)
someday mods: 3" spindles, centerline rims with 35's
<creativepen@yahoo.com>
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Near Ottawa, Canada
One thing you can say about the Oakville, Ontario, truck assembly plant, judging by my two and all the F-150s I've seen around our nation's capital over the years -- that plant didn't produce any trucks that got the door crack. I'm a compulsive and I look at them all and I've never seen a '97+ F-150 in this part of Canada that had the door crack.
Anyone care to differ?
------------------
Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 limited-slip. CD, remote entry, factory side steps, FORD box liner.
My third F-series: '73 F-100 Custom, 240 cube 6, 3 on the tree, tan, "West Coast" mirrors, step bumper, knitted vinyl seat, AM radio; '98 F-150 XL-SC, Pacific Green, 4.2 5-speed, 3.55 ls, FM-cassette; and '00 F-150 XLT-SC 4.2 5-speed, 3.55 ls.
GREAT trucks!
Anyone care to differ?
------------------
Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 limited-slip. CD, remote entry, factory side steps, FORD box liner.
My third F-series: '73 F-100 Custom, 240 cube 6, 3 on the tree, tan, "West Coast" mirrors, step bumper, knitted vinyl seat, AM radio; '98 F-150 XL-SC, Pacific Green, 4.2 5-speed, 3.55 ls, FM-cassette; and '00 F-150 XLT-SC 4.2 5-speed, 3.55 ls.
GREAT trucks!
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Don't be so quick to applaud the folks at the Norfolk plant! I have a 1997 Ford F-150 Extended Cab Styleside, 4.6L V-8, EOD trans. I have a problem in the drivetrain that has YET to be resolved. When this truck is operated at speeds over 95 mph, there is a distinct vibration, almost a roaring in the drive train. If this truck is run at speeds of 95 mph or more for a sustained period of time, either the tailshaft of the transmission tears up, or the pinion bearing in the rearend goes out. I have had transmission replaced once, rearend repaired twice (thank GOD for extended warranty). Ford has YET to fix the problem. The service manager seems intent on blaming the problem on my SuperChip, since it is programmed to take out the electronic governor or speed limiter, therefore allowing me to drive at speeds of over 100 mph. My truck was assembled at the Norfolk, VA plant. I have a friend who has a 1997 Ford F-150, everything idential except (1) grill is different (2) color is different (3) his truck assembled in Canada. His truck (STOCK) runs at 130 mph WITHOUT a SuperChip with NO vibration. Has had no problems with drivetrain in his truck whatsoever. Also, this problem occurred early on, at around 20K miles. I now have 76K miles and problem is STILL not fixed. Would LOVe to hear from anyone else with similar problems.
BTW...Service Manager informed me of a service bulletin instructing Ford to "turn the speed down" on Crown Vics with police package. Seems the Crown Vics are having the same problem as my F-150.
Scott Jones
Gallion, AL
E-mail: sjones@westal.net
[This message has been edited by SJ9873 (edited 06-18-2001).]
BTW...Service Manager informed me of a service bulletin instructing Ford to "turn the speed down" on Crown Vics with police package. Seems the Crown Vics are having the same problem as my F-150.
Scott Jones
Gallion, AL
E-mail: sjones@westal.net
[This message has been edited by SJ9873 (edited 06-18-2001).]
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucmonga, CA
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by GIJoeCam:
Norfolk doesn't surprise me for having good quality... they were the first plant to build the new body style, and, of course, my buddy's dad was one of the chief launch engineers for the project. (If you knew him, you'd understand... :-) ) He moved down there for about three years for the project and moved back up here a couple of years ago. I've had a personal walking tour of the plant, and really enjoyed it. It's a nice set-up they've got down there (FAR, FAR better than Dearborn Assembly) and they make a quality product to boot. (and a LOT of them too!)
</font>
Norfolk doesn't surprise me for having good quality... they were the first plant to build the new body style, and, of course, my buddy's dad was one of the chief launch engineers for the project. (If you knew him, you'd understand... :-) ) He moved down there for about three years for the project and moved back up here a couple of years ago. I've had a personal walking tour of the plant, and really enjoyed it. It's a nice set-up they've got down there (FAR, FAR better than Dearborn Assembly) and they make a quality product to boot. (and a LOT of them too!)
</font>
Just curious - Was your buddies Dad Paul P?
------------------
2001 Ford F150 Supercab 4.6L