A couple of simple questions for past or present Ford Dearborn/KC workers (or those that have toured either plant) on actual new F150 build process:

1. Payload - at or near the end of full build process, the tire info/payload sticker is slapped onto the driver door column. Does Ford actually weight each truck before generating the sticker, or is the sticker payload value only a calculated number from the known (fixed) GVWR for the particular truck style minus Ford's fixed Base truck weight for that truck style minus all the different ARC (Accessory Reserve Capacity) weights for regular production options? I'm pretty sure as a minimum that the gasoline weight component of payload must be a calculated number as I doubt Ford fills all F150's with gas before they load them onto the convoy transporters...

When I pulled up my FordEtis info, I kinda expected to see its payload value in addition to all the other info, but it's not on Etis. I too noticed my 3.55 rear electric locker was not noted on Etis, so I thought "ok, that payload sticker must be generated/slapped on the truck at some point after Etis info is generated", but not sure at what point in time.

2. Wheel/tire force road balancing - is this done at the factory before the lug nuts are actually spun up on the assembly line? I've seen some articles (from non-Ford people) that say they are, but wondered if Ford folks could confirm this. Wheels/tires are obviously balanced to some degree (we all have balance weights on our wheels when we drive them from the dealer lots) but is it a force road balance or other dynamic or static type of balance?

I asked Ford this question online (its a yes or no question), but got a flowery non-answer back.

Just curious, no issues I have relating to this....

 

Could you cut and paste their answer here? I am interested in both of these topics myself.

 

I only asked them the question on road force balance; the response was classic PR-speak, and gives me little confidence in getting an actual 'does Ford actually weight trucks in Dearborn/KC" answer.
road balance question.pdf

 

Not 100% sure on this but from my time working in tire shops it's what I know. I do not know of any balance that is done with the lug nuts let alone on the vehicle. All the balance machines I have used and the road force balancers I have seen all are off vehicle and use a cone to center the wheel on the unit and a clamp to secure it.

 

Based upon my experience, I would say the answer to your road force variation question is emphatically a "NO". I had to replace one of my factory tires due to vibration issues. The Road Force Variation was 50 lbs. The specification on a P rated tire is less than or equal to 26 lbs. The specification on a LT tire is less than or equal to 30 lbs. Two of my other tires are near the upper limit too.

 

I know when we used to build Expedition /Navigator that the roadforce test was not done on the vehicle.

 

Trucks are not weighed. The weight of every component is in the system, and as you note tanks are not shipped full, dealer fills them at time of delivery.