"Made in Mexico..."

[Gary - K7GLD]

Help me out here if you can...

I have a Ford lovin' buddy with a '99 Ford PS that LOVES to rub it in that the Fords are "Made in America by AMERICANS", while the Dodges are pasted together with refried beans and taco sauce by Mexicans down south of the border...

The primary issue relates to keeping jobs and industrial investment in THIS country, rather than buying "foreign" built goods. In addition to my bud's attraction to Fords, he is also a strong union man - thus his aversion to USA businesses farming stuff outside our borders to essentially avoid investment in US workers and factories.

Question is, are the Dodges totally made in Mexico, or assembled there from components shipped from the USA - and approximately how MUCH of the trucks are actually made/built in Mexico - the whole thing except the engine?

I realize that virtually EVERY make has a fair amount of components made in other countries, and wonder if anyone has any clue as to the percentage comparison of foreign parts used in the Ford trucks?

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http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... Tweaked pump, upgraded radiator... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

"Dura" WHAT? NOW I know where all those recycled beer cans go...

[This message has been edited by Gary - KJ6Q (edited 05-01-2001). ]

 

[BCFAST]

Gary, let me address your questions separately... all of the club-cab Rams were made in one of two Mexican plants, (this includes First Gen trucks) until mid-1996. The plant in Fenton,MO (just outside ST. Louis) started producing both regular and now club-cabs then, leaving the Warren, MI plant to produce only regular cab trucks. Having been in the auto-body business for many years, I purposfully sought out a Mexican-assembled vehicle. If Chrysler ever had a bad reputation for build quality, they should chain the doors on the American plants! The crap I have seen come out is amazing... new Rams and Dakotas straight off the delivery truck at the dealership look as though they should have a re-built title: badly hazey paint, doors dont line up, dash rattles, overspray everywhere, etc... This is my second Mexican truck and once again, I cannot find a build flaw. I say that union labor is the downfall of the American economy.

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54, 5spd, Green, #12 plate, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

[Expat]

To answer your question, I'd be willing to bet our Dodge trucks built in Mexico have almost exactly the same American content as trucks made in the US except for the labor component. As far as I know, Mexico doesn't really have an auto industry, just an auto assembly industry, so they're not in much of a position to supply parts.

For what it's worth, I prefer to buy things made in America where I can. I believe that most (but not all) Americans take pride in good quality work, and I like to support my fellow Americans. On the other hand, I won't buy badly designed or badly made stuff wherever its from. Also, if everyone in the world refused to buy imports, we would have big problems since a lot of our economy is dependent on exporting to foreign countries.

My understanding is that U. S. law requires that a car contain 70% American content to be considered "American. " The problem is that nobody knows how to define "70% American content. " Does a Bosch fuel injection system count for more than a Dana axle? A few years ago, Honda argued that Accords made in America have over 70% content. I don't think our government agreed.

The more you look at it, the more complicated the question gets. Plenty of purely foreign cars get rebadged for the US (Dodge Raiders were 100% Mitsubishi Monteros and Cadillac Cateras are pretty much Opels from Germany). Many Chrysler products used imported Mitsubishi engines in the 1980s. GM and Isuzu have a sweetheart deal (does Isuzu BUILD the Duramax or did they just design it?) On the other hand, some "foreign" cars (like Mazda Navahos) were just rebadged American cars. And let's not forget foreign ownership. Ford owns around half of Mazda (and I think now owns Jaguar and Land Rover), while Chrysler (and now DC) owns a good chunk of Mitsubishi. Of course, nobody thinks a European-built Ford is "American. "

Sorry for the long post. I'll stop rambling now. FWIW, I put my money where my mouth is. I live in Africa (working for the US Government) but bought a Cummins Ram to show off American products. And yes, it was assembled in Mexico, but that was purely by coincidence.

 

[WyoJim]

Fords are made in Canada at least my last one was. But isn't Canada in America. Where is Mexico? It ain't in Europe is it? Am I missing something here?

If Canada ain't in America, I don't see how Alaska could be.

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98. 5 24 valve auto, QC, LB, EZ, DTT vb 9 1/2ft 3500# slide in S&S Camper

 

[Wiredawg]

My '96 gasser was made in Mexico and my 2000 diesel was made in St Louis.

Both are good.

Wiredawg

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch,Mag-Hytec dif cover,Psycotty Air.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I never looked where my truck was made but alot of the new locomotives where i work are being assembled in Mexico and the quality is not great. Its too bad the unions forced manufacturers to do assembly in other countries. I belong to a union, but i am well aware that a Union is a buissness, and i think the heads of most unions are only concerned with one thing, lining there own pockets at the expense of american workers. That is why DC is making trucks in Mexico and GM is making mini vans in Poland and Camaros in Canada, etc, etc. Thanks alot UAW

 

[illflem]

My trucks were made in Windsor,Ontario, I have no problem with the assembly quality. Judging from the many Mexicans that I know their work can't be beat, they are truly concerned about it's quality. If a Mexican working in Mexico screws up he's out the door, an American worker who messes up goes though arbitrations, hearings and reeducation for months then is never fired, goes right back to his old tricks. Which would you rather have?

 

[Ram4Sam]

Gary, it's obvious your buddy is suffering from a bad case of HUA. My ex 99 psd was built at the Kentucky plant and the fit and finish was a joke. It was white, the easiest color to make look good, and it looked horrible. The paint was real thin in some spots, plenty of spots had the orange peel look to it, and a few spots of overspray. Also, doors out of adjustment, loose bumper, and other ailments.

My Ram was built in Mexico and armed with the knowledge gained from Ford ownership, I inspected my Ram at delivery and it was in excellant shape.

Politics and labor issues aside, based on my personal expierience, I would rather own a truck built in Mexico than one built here.

Sam

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2001. 5 2500 QC HO 6sp LB 3. 54LS everything except leather, white/agate 2wd,Isspro guauges on the A,ME kit,DD Tru torque module,K&N air filter,Geno's smoothie,chrome tip,RBW hitch

Sam Hill-BPOE #583


Fordaholic-clean and Mopar'd since 10/05/00

 

[Jar Head]

I won't get involved w/ the political aspects but my Ram is far and away the best buit and running vehicle I have ever owned. I traded a '99 PSD to get it. As you can see from my signature, I'm glad mine was built where it was.

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Made in Mexico: 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 HD 4x4, Regular Cab ST, ETC, Auto, 4. 10 LSD, Camper Package, Trailer Package, 100% Stock.
SSgt. USMC, Ret.

 

[Tom C]

My '97 I had was made in Mexico. It had no quality control flaws. My current truck (see sig) was made in St. Louis and was even pulled from the line for quality assurance and the quality is not near the same. Its taken a few trips to the dealer and finally I got what I paid for. Do you think the people at the plant get any input on how they screwed up? no... . their union. who needs input on what they do when you have a big brother sitting there to pick your but up ever time they screw up. the dictionary has it wrong 'union' is another word for organized crime.

bottum line is im into quality. no matter where it is made. Loyalty has to be earned. Beleave me I'll look real hard before I buy another st. louis made truck. not to say I won't. I'll just do more homework. maybe by the time this truck wears out they will have there quality issues resolved.
hhhhaaaaaa... thanks for letting me air. I feel much better now.

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2001. 5 2500 4X4, QC, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, SLT, SWB, Trailer, Camper & Snow plow Packages, White, 35k# Cody Hitch, 20' Gooseneck Lowboy flat-bed Trailer.
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1975 Toyota Landcruiser, ARB Air lockers Front & rear, 400 Small Block, SM420 4spd, Stock LC transfer case with 2 or 4 high and 2 or 4 wheel drive Low gears, 15. 5x36" Radial swamper on 12" rims, Custom front & rear bumpers, Roll Cage, Warn 8274 8000# winch, 2. 5" spring lift, 2" body lift. Premier on-board power welder, on-board air, 4-wheel power disk breaks, power steering, Lot of fun.

[This message has been edited by Tom C (edited 05-01-2001). ]

 

[jolyman]

I just spent many months looking at trucks made between 1993 and 1999. I saw many nice trucks made in the USA and Mexico . . they all looked good.
I actually saw more made in Mexico but the one I bought was made in USA . . Oh Well.
I was impressed with the quality and workmanship of everything I've seen in the Ram line. One look and I fell in love with mine (the wife says I smile when I'm talkin about MY truck).
Wouldn't even look at a Furd PukeUp truck!!

 

[Bigsaint]

My last Dodge, a 1998 2500 360, was built in Mexico, zero problems and no complaints on the fit and finish (I had it for three years). My current Dodge was built in St. Louis, again, no complaints, great truck and then some. Plan on keeping this one for a long, long time.

Scott W.

White 2001. 5 3500 ETH/DEE 4X4 Quad cab SLT,tow package and camper prep,Husky liners front and rear,DiPricol pyro,boost and oil temp gauges,SPA fuel pressure and temp. gauge,Edge EZ,Psychotty air,Bully Dog stage III injectors,ATS 3 piece manifold,HX40 turbo,4" BD exhaust,4" BD E-brake,McLeod clutch,Mallory 4150 lift pump,Mag-Hytec rear,Go-Rhino grill guard,Lund bug shield,PM tractor utility back up lights,Penda bed mat and blow by bottle is bye bye !!! I love the smell of diesel in the morning, it reminds me of... . VICTORY !!!
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089608" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>My Truck</font></A>
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089604" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>THE SAINTS</font></A>

 

[KWIKKURT]

I noticed several PHJORD plants in my travels around Mexico. . I believe they have been down here much longer than Dodge. . Not sure. .

I generally drive right on by without a second look. .

In my little town ALL NEW TRUCKS owned by the locals are Dodge Rams. Easily 10 to 1. They also have the RAM CHARGERS... They look great... Not sure if a 5. 9 will fit under the hood. .

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"Have you driven OVER a phord lately"
2001 2500 BRT WHT SPORT QUADCAB 4X4 ETH 3. 54LSD TRLR CMPR PKG ALL OPT XCPT LTHR

 

[Uncle Joe]

Had a 99 qc made in mexico,the build quality was good couldnt find any defects,ordered a 01 expecting to get a mexican built truck ,
to my surprise,it is made in MO. no complaints about quality... ... ... uncle joe


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01 swb 4wd qc slt+ intense blue with everything the only thing it hauls is my wifes big a$$

 

[KCJackson]

90 and 93 F-series built in Kansas City - pieces of complete crap

96 Ram 3500 built in Lago Alberto outside Mexico City. I get the title next month, and have no plans whatsoever of replacing it until the 2004 models come out.

For me to keep a vehicle past its extended warranty, it has to be built like a tank. When my sales rep gave me the VIN of my ordered truck and I saw it started with a 3, i was turning cartwheels. When I do order that 2004, I won't throw it back if it was built in Fenton instead of Saltillo, but I will definitely go over it with a fine-tooth comb if it's a Missouri product.

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1996 3500 Club 4x4 Laramie SLT, unmodified 180/420 12-valve, 47RE automatic, 3. 54 limited slip

 

[David Muench]

Super Doody's are built at KTP in Kentucky, or in Mexico, or in Canada. Get his VIN number, maybe his has some beans in the frame rails too. #ad


My Ram was built in Mexico, and I love it.

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'97 Jeep TJ - Tons of stuff.
2001. 5 3500 Chassis Cab 4x4 163"wb - HO/6 speed/4:10's, SLT, other stuff being added all the time. .

 

[Timinator]

My '95 was built in Mexico. I have been generally pleased with the quality, but the U. S. engineering leaves a bit to be desired at times.

 

[KWIKKURT]

Move over to this thread! Made in Mex II https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum17/HTML/002185.html

[This message has been edited by KWIKKURT (edited 05-03-2001). ]

 

[EricBu12]

Mine was made in Mexico and overal it is good. There hasn't been anything wrong with it mostly but I did find one motor mount bolt was not on all the way. It looked like someone started to turn it but never got it on all the way. I tightened it up and so far (knock on wood) nothing else is bad.

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2001 QC 2500 4x4 bronze W/two tone Driftwood, 24valve HO 6sp. Westin side bars, fender flares, Rancho RSX off-road shocks, Spray on bedliner, Leer shell Painted to match with LED marker lights, Bf Goodrich AT Tires. Bed rug inside shell W/aux marine deep cycle batt for lights, etc. M Brolins' CB mount.
Name of rig is "big bronze Brute"

 

[BV]

My 92 CC came out of Mexico with no problems and the 99 came out of St. Loose as a Goose with many of the fastners not quite tight.

Oh - and the wifes Ford came out of Canada 122,000 and the only problem is the Rear defroster switch keeps failing since it hit 109,000

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'99, 2500, QC, blah, blah & blah

[This message has been edited by BV (edited 05-03-2001). ]