Detroit vs. Kansas City plants

[TheFarSide]

F150s are made in both Detroit and Kansas City. Does one of the plants have a reputation for building a more reliable or better made truck? Or do the plants each only produce certain trim levels or body types?

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[SilverPigeon]

With modern tooling and automation I can't see that quality would be any different. My sentimental favourite is Dearborn as I would have been disappointed for my KR to have come from anywhere but home base.

Yes, they're tooled up differently. Whether it's at the level of trims or body types, or certain options (e.g. PB, max tow, etc.) is something I don't know.

 

[KBKEITH]

With modern tooling and automation I can't see that quality would be any different. My sentimental favourite is Dearborn as I would have been disappointed for my KR to have come from anywhere but home base.

Yes, they're tooled up differently. Whether it's at the level of trims or body types, or certain options (e.g. PB, max tow, etc.) is something I don't know.

I’m with you on the sentimental favorite of Dearborn. I’m from the area and I’m proud to have the Dearborn sticker on the windshield.

 

[Goldeneye36]

My last 3 trucks have all been Dearborn built so I have no experience with the differences. I feel like when looking through the TSBs and Recalls that have come out over the last couple years I see slightly more KC trucks affected but I have no data to actually back that up. That being said, my 2024 still came with way more "extra" parts from the factory than my previous trucks did.

 

[rr11]

My 23 is a Detroit build, it came with a "free" 10mm socket behind the back seat.

 

[Ricksc]

My 23 is a Detroit build, it came with a "free" 10mm socket behind the back seat.

That’s better than a stray 9mm bullet.

 

[FirstFord]

I do not know this as an absolute fact, but my salesman indicated that the trim level and/or body style dictates which plant builds the truck. Anecdotal: There is another forum contributor who is well known, and we both have SuperCab 6.5 ft bed Lariat trim trucks, and they were both made in KC.

 

[roadPilot]

Yes, specific models and trim levels are built at specific plants.

No different than McDonalds, both plants use the same processes and technology and SHOULD produce the same quality product, but as labor changes, quality can change.

 

[DEEPDOWN]

F150s are made in both Detroit and Kansas City. Does one of the plants have a reputation for building a more reliable or better made truck? Or do the plants each only produce certain trim levels or body types?

My 2022 tremor 402A is Dearborn built and has been flawless in nearly 3 years

 

[DTH]

My 12 was Dearborn and 23 was Kansas City. Both 5.0 litre XLT super crews with 6.5 box. The 12 had rear pinion seal leak and EPAS go out. The 23 so far only signal light stock go out.

 

[Rynokc]

I am a Operations manager at KCAP. We build Transits and F-150's up to the platinum here, only short beds. We are not equipped for a long bed, or 250's and above. Every 48 seconds a truck comes off the line. It is 17hrs and 36 mins to completely build a truck from frame to finish. It's actually amazing to me that the box and cab split in 2 different places and go different directions but come back together every time. We do the majority of fleet vehicles here and up until last year, every truck we made was already sold. They are supposed to get a new contract with the Forest Service again, had it until 5yrs ago, and then we will go back to everything being sold that we make. Roughly 767 trucks per shift, 1534/day 6 days a week.... Just over 9000 trucks a week. That is why any flat space they can find in KC either has a F-150 or Transit sitting waiting to be shipped......

Edit, we do NOT have the coyote engine, or the Power boost. We do have 2.7 and 3.5 Eco boost and the 5.0liter. XL, STX, XLT, Lariat. We will start making the hybrid F-150s after the 2026 July shutdown when they re-tool for it. If they bring back the Lightning, we could make it here too. We do make fully electric and hybrid Transit's here though.

 

[PB2021]

Pretty sure the Powerboost is only made at Dearborn

 

[2Lazy2P]

Hoping this will be the Super Bowl match-up!

 

[tspangle]

Well, the Lions offense continues to be a juggernaut, and if they can stay healthy on defense, they have a real shot at going all the way. On the other hand the Chiefs seem to be getting their mojo back on offense, their defense remains excellent, and Mahomes will always make them dangerous.

Wait, what were we talking about?

 

[grayDawg]

I am a Operations manager at KCAP. We build Transits and F-150's up to the platinum here, only short beds. We are not equipped for a long bed, or 250's and above. Every 48 seconds a truck comes off the line. It is 17hrs and 36 mins to completely build a truck from frame to finish. It's actually amazing to me that the box and cab split in 2 different places and go different directions but come back together every time. We do the majority of fleet vehicles here and up until last year, every truck we made was already sold. They are supposed to get a new contract with the Forest Service again, had it until 5yrs ago, and then we will go back to everything being sold that we make. Roughly 767 trucks per shift, 1534/day 6 days a week.... Just over 9000 trucks a week. That is why any flat space they can find in KC either has a F-150 or Transit sitting waiting to be shipped......

Edit, we do NOT have the coyote engine, or the Power boost. We do have 2.7 and 3.5 Eco boost and the 5.0liter. XL, STX, XLT, Lariat. We will start making the hybrid F-150s after the 2026 July shutdown when they re-tool for it. If they bring back the Lightning, we could make it here too. We do make fully electric and hybrid Transit's here though.

I think it's really good to have you on this forum. My'24 XLT with a build date of May '24 is equipped with the 5.0 engine and was produced at the KCAP. I thought all V8 powerplants in this model year were the Coyote version. Please clarify or if there is a VIN code the determine the V8 version. Many thanks.

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