Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory

[Bikeric]

Great photo's!! Definitely be some happy Ford dealers to get these delivered. These will probably be past the 6 month time limit and sold by the dealer before mine gets built. #PityPartyOfOne

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[FNDUCKEDUP]

Idk if I could handle working there… Way too tempting to sneak one out just like that Johnny Cash song…

 

[R11]

I thought they were more black than gray. I've yet to see the full size Bronco in person. Ford will be visiting my dealer this Friday morning. I'm not sure which vehicle they'll be bringing, but it wouldn't surprise me if they brought a soft top due to the hard top shortage. Thanks!

You're correct John. The lighting plays tricks with the colors.

While I agree the color of the molded plastic shifts, as do most of the paint colors on the body to varying degrees, the MIC top has previously been called Carbonized Gray.

Very cool. Thanks for sharing the photos and running commentary. I am curious though, are you a freelance journalist? Or just lucky to know someone?

I just posted the link to a Jalopnik piece and the admins copied and pasted here to make it easier to read [sell ads] lol.

 

[monkeysdad]

Haven’t seen this piece posted. Sweet pics.

https://jalopnik.com/heres-what-i-saw-at-the-2021-ford-bronco-assembly-plant-1847101344

Here's What I Saw At The 2021 Ford Bronco Assembly Plant
Ford invited me to watch workers assemble the Ford Bronco at Michigan Assembly near Detroit

Words and photos by David Tracy

“Hey man, I know it’s late notice - but how does your 10am look?” a representative from Ford Motor Company texted me on Sunday night. FoMoCo wanted to show me the exciting new Ford Bronco being assembled at the Michigan Assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan. I wasn’t about to miss out.

I entered the north entrance of the former Ford C-Max and Ford Focus plant, and watched as the Bronco and its platform mate, the Ranger, slowly skated along the enormous factory’s moving floor. The press event was informal and small; Ford just wanted a few journalists to see that the exciting new Bronco was finally rolling off the line, as the brand planned to announce the start of production the following morning (today).

It was awesome. Assembly plants are magical places, filled with diverse workforces, incredibly specialized tools, strictly-followed (and fascinating) processes, and an unbelievable number of cars and car parts that are all in precise motion, ultimately heading towards the exit.

Here’s a look at what I saw during my short visit. These freshly-painted body shells are beautiful. I love that specialized jig that holds the gas filler door in the driver’s window opening:

The bodies — each mounted on large longitudinal stand-in frames — drop down via an elevator, then slide forward, and then progress laterally in a big line of bodies.

Here are some Broncos undergoing what appeared to be some sort of electrical systems test. I watched as techs interacted with a screen while windows, lights and wipers activated.

This blue Bronco was undergoing some sort of four-wheel dynamometer test, presumably to test the powertrain and drivetrain:

Doors, held by special orange rigging, marched along the elevated catwalk:

Here’s an operator holding what looks like a calibrated torque wrench meant to precisely snug down threaded fasteners:

Note the fender protector that allows for assembly while keeping the bodywork in tip-top shape:

A conveyor belt brought this seat to its vehicle at precisely the right time. Modern manufacturing plants rarely have stockpiles of parts sitting at each station. The components arrive when they’re needed.

Here’s a plant employee, Kirt, who owns roughly a dozen old Ford Broncos, and who — of course — has a new one on order. Ford made him available to journalists as a way to highlight that employees “walk the walk” and are passionate about the products they build. It’s a classic PR move, but I’m glad I got to talk with him. I could tell immediately that Kirt is a wrenching machine, and as one myself (no doubt much less skilled than Kirt), I’ve got respect for his ability to keep so many old Broncos on the road.

Here are some Broncos going through the final inspection station:

And here are some completed builds. The two door looks amazing:

And here are a few other random shots from my brief, but fun plant tour:

I’ll be driving the Bronco later this month. I’m beyond excited. The only time I’ve been this amped about driving a vehicle for the first time was before reviewing the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL, and I helped engineer that thing.

Great to hear they have the production started. Looking forward to my Bronco getting an order number and build date. Thanks for the pictures!

 

[5280Bronco]

The week of the 21st. A youtube auto journalist let that slip.

Can't wait till next Monday.

 

[Vigor]

While I agree the color of the molded plastic shifts, as do most of the paint colors on the body to varying degrees, the MIC top has previously been called Carbonized Gray.

I hope I'm not coming off as insensitive to those who ordered carb grey Broncos with mic tops, but I feel like I inadvertently dodged a bullet by switching to soft top

I always preferred contrast vs uni color vehicles. Hence why I began my order with mod black top and grey body. I moved to mic for obvious reasons so I didn't have to wait til 2023.

But then after seeing the soft top in person, moved to that. That grey top on the grey body is dare I say.... too much grey
Like a typical day in the state of Washington

Soooo glad I've settled with the soft top

 

[Merc4x4]

Can't wait till next Monday.

They didn't say the exact day and I'm sure there will be an embargo so everyone invited has time to write up their PR fluff-piece and release on the same day for all their fake internet clicks.
Maybe we'll see some leaks?

 

[Wanted33]

While I agree the color of the molded plastic shifts, as do most of the paint colors on the body to varying degrees, the MIC top has previously been called Carbonized Gray.

You're right, they were awfully gray in the beginning. So much so I went with the MOD Top on my first order. As I understand, and I surely hope the folks that said this are right, the top has been darkened closer to black now. As I say, I hope they are right, 'cause the wife wants our OBX to be Area 51 instead of Race Red, and I'm going to change the top to the MIC one when my dealer calls for the '22 model year. Fingers crossed.

 

[Tricky Dick]

I never even considered Rapid Red but it looks amazing on those shells.

 

[brij250]

It would be cool to have a live feed to see them getting build and prepared for delivery. Would be on there all day.

 

[mpeugeot]

All painted mirror caps. They must have started with the OBX. I think I saw mine but I thought the build date was 6/18.

All good things come to the mall crawlers that wait. LMFAO. Seriously, other than the SAS, that's my build.

 

[604Bronco]

Love it!

 

[Rivers90]

The broncos look amazing in these photos.
The red and blue look like they are glowing.

 

[Jarhead]

Bussin!

 

[Rubisquatch]

Thanks OP, great pics and food to see a lot more of the build line.

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