First GMT-900s roll off the line at Fort Wayne

[Flybrian]

Fort Wayne workers celebrate redesigned GM pickups

Associated Press

Link to Original Article @ DetNews

Workers attach fenders to a new truck on the line at the General Motors Corp. assembly plant in Fort Wayne, Ind., Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006. Workers and managers celebrated the early rollout of GM's redesigned full-sized pickup trucks from the plant.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Workers and managers celebrated the early rollout of General Motors Corp.'s redesigned full-sized pickup trucks from its Fort Wayne assembly plant.

The company launched production of its new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks 13 weeks earlier than first planned after spending more than $200 million on machinery and facilities at the plant over the past two years.

The factory's 2,900 workers hope the trucks will be a big seller and help them avoid the layoffs that have hit other GM plants amid the automaker's sales slump.

"It means a lot to know we have a successful product that goes out, and it is not only a successful product for Fort Wayne but for the area," said Walt Halley, who works in the plant's body shop. "I think it looks real good and the people make it a success."

Wednesday's celebration included showings of the five Silverado television commercials featuring John Mellencamp's song "Our Country," which has received heavy airplay during NFL, college football and World Series broadcasts. The employees applauded each of the commercials and praised the new truck design.

"I think it is awesome. I think it is the truck of the future," said Cammy Perkins, who has worked on the motor line for more than a year.

The Silverado and Sierra trucks are GM's best-selling vehicles, with pickups comprising a quarter of the vehicles built by the company, said John Schwegman, a GM marketing manager.

The Fort Wayne plant is the first one to start building regular- and extended-cab versions of the Silverado and Sierra and a full-size hybrid pickup. The redesigned trucks also are to be built at plants in Pontiac and Flint, Mich., and Silao, Mexico, beginning next year.

[Northstar]

Good to see the regular- and extended-cabs starting production, sales should start to pick up a lot beginning in December or January, I think.

[Dusterman1]

Anyone have pics of a standard cab short box?

I haven't seen any, even on the GM website.

Thanks in advance!

[BigPontiac]

Yeah, extended cabs! Maybe someday GM will let you build one online at GMC.com, chevy.com, or gmbuypower.com. The Sierra crewcab I test drove was nice, but I'd never buy a crewcab over an extended cab.

[ocnblu]

This waiting for Build&Price to be updated for the other half-ton bodystyles is getting pretty tiring.

[Dragon]

they need 4 people to put on 2 fenders?

[Sixty8panther]

they need 4 people to put on 2 fenders? 

222603[/snapback]

Yes and seven managers to oversee the whole process.

Aren't unions %$#& great!?

[Robert Hall]

they need 4 people to put on 2 fenders? 

222603[/snapback]

The fenders probably weigh 200 lbs a piece (it's a 6000 lb truck, right?).

[79VetteZ06]

The fenders probably weigh 200 lbs a piece (it's a 6000 lb truck, right?). 

222644[/snapback]

But honestly the truck has not gained too much girth compared to the previous model, which is good engineering.

[BigPontiac]

This waiting for Build&Price to be updated for the other half-ton bodystyles is getting pretty tiring.

222592[/snapback]

GMC's can be built online in std and x-cabs now at either gmbuypower.com or gmc.com. The online Chevy build is still crew cab only...but I'm more interested in the Sierra anyway!

[Dragon]

The fenders probably weigh 200 lbs a piece (it's a 6000 lb truck, right?). 

222644[/snapback]

hence the jib crane lift assist.

you could lift an entire frame with one of those with just one hand

[caddycruiser]

GMC's can be built online in std and x-cabs now at either gmbuypower.com or gmc.com.  The online Chevy build is still crew cab only...but I'm more interested in the Sierra anyway!

222670[/snapback]

You can build both extended cab models on:

http://www.kbb.com

[caddycruiser]

they need 4 people to put on 2 fenders? 

222603[/snapback]

Well, if you look at the picture, it's pretty clear why. Two people at each one makes it quicker and easier to put each on, aligned properly. Even in the pic, it doesn't look like overkill at all--and is all the better for proper fit & finish. Well that, and they're not featherweights that just snap on either.

[ocnblu]

Big Pontiac! Thanks, man! I've built a Sierra SLE1 regular cab shortbed 2WD just the way I want it... $26,125. I want it! But... I still want to price out a comparable Silvy to see if there's a difference.

[Z-06]

I think guys the prices reflect the prices of Classic models. I configured the Siverado Crew cab LT on chevy.com and kbb.

1. I found both prices EXACTLY the same.

2. They did not offer the 6L

3. Some Packages listed looked older. (07 does not have them), like grill delete, Option package 2LT -SS

May be I was doing something wrong

[Raider]

You need to get a clue. I worked on that very same job for about two years. They just recently installed that lift. Used to have to do it all night two people lifting those fenders. They can get very heavy after about 500 of them. That being said when you put that fender on one person takes the lift off shoots the bolts on the front. The other person opens the door shoots the bolts on the inside. then you have to get the lift on the next fender get the bolts ready for the next truck. Mind you this has to be done in about 15 seconds. So if you never worked in a assembly plant just keep your mouth shut.

[ocnblu]

[FAPTurbo]

You need to get a clue. I worked on that very same job for about two years. They just recently installed that lift. Used to have to do it all night two people lifting those fenders. They can get very heavy after about 500 of them. That being said when you put that fender on one person takes the lift off shoots the bolts on the front. The other person opens the door shoots the bolts on the inside. then you have to get the lift on the next fender get the bolts ready for the next truck. Mind you this has to be done in about 15 seconds. So if you never worked in a assembly plant just keep your mouth shut.

223465[/snapback]

You still working on the assembly lines? We need someone on the inside :AH-HA_wink: .

[Raider]

Yep i work at Ft. Wayne plant.

[Dragon]

You need to get a clue. I worked on that very same job for about two years. They just recently installed that lift. Used to have to do it all night two people lifting those fenders. They can get very heavy after about 500 of them. That being said when you put that fender on one person takes the lift off shoots the bolts on the front. The other person opens the door shoots the bolts on the inside. then you have to get the lift on the next fender get the bolts ready for the next truck. Mind you this has to be done in about 15 seconds. So if you never worked in a assembly plant just keep your mouth shut.

223465[/snapback]

Well by hand is a totally different story and wouldn’t have brought it up.

And yes, I’ve worked the assembly line at the Honda plant up here. These days I design assembly lines, which have included lift assists for parts that make fenders seem light as a feather.

[Raider]

I see. Well anyway the reason there are two on each side is because hanging the fender is not the only thing you do on that job.

Edited December 4, 2006 by Raider

[CARBIZ]

Well, I hope you guys start pumping them out fast, because I have a customer who has been waiting since September for his extended cab! The guy is getting antsy and I am running out of excuses to hold him off!

[ocnblu]

Are you guys turning out regular cabs yet?

[Raider]

Yeah ran quit a few regular cabs tonight and some pretty sweet regular cab short bed with 20 inch rims. Also tonight or tomorrow we will be running full capacity.

[blue-bowtie]

Yeah ran quit a few regular cabs tonight and some pretty sweet regular cab short bed with  20 inch rims. Also tonight or tomorrow we will be running full capacity.

224094[/snapback]

Wow, sweet! Anybody have pics of a regular cab short bed with 20's? I would like to see that

[ocnblu]

I have a question: can the new truck be fitted with GM accessories, like the cool 20" rim selection we've seen and the chrome door handles and mirror caps, at the factory, or are they all dealer-installed? I am intrigued by this shortie reg cab with 20's of which you speak.

[Raider]

From what i have been seeing that stuff is factory. Alot of nice trucks have been going down that line.