Lead Time for Made-to-Order F-350

[ringtb]

I am in Iraq and will be going home for two weeks in late November. I would like to have a made to order 2009 F-350 ordered and built, then delivered to the dealership while I am home in November. Among other things, it will be a XL, manual tranny, LB, SRW, diesel, super cab, 4X4.
How much lead-time does the dealer need to order and deliver a truck? I live in Virginia.
LOL, I hope it is not one of those “It depends” answers!!

[PowerStrokeHD]

It is not so much as a "it depends" as it is "there is no concrete answer at this time".

The order bank is open, but they have not started scheduling yet. There is a Job 1 date, but that can always change as it has a couple of times already. Plain and simple, it is just too early to tell.

[SmokeyWren]

PowerStrokeHD is an expert, and I'm just an observer. But I'll give you a bit more hope.

F-350 sales are in the tank right now, so Ford has delayed the beginning of production of 2009 models until inventory of 2008 models goes down to a reasonable level. Right now there is no firm date for production to begin.

Assuming the assembly line begins production by the middle of September, then the "normal" time it takes the dealer to get your truck is 6 to 7 weeks. Some show up as early as 5 weeks, but don't count on less than 7. And some take longer - depending on several factors. So count on 8 weeks, then you'll have about a 98 percent chance of receiving your truck by the date you want it - assuming your dealerperson is on the stick and takes care of you.

Don't order from the PX/BX/NEX. You'll save a lot of money by ordering from a dealer that will give you close to invoice pricing. If you don't know of a good dealerperson, then contact Bobby Williams at Sunrise Ford Fleet, 16005 Valley Blvd, Fontana, Ca, 92335 - he'll take care of you and have your new truck delivered by a Ford dealer in almost any town you choose in any of the lower 48 states.

November 15th, then back up to a Wednesday about 8 weeks earlier and you have September 17th. So if your dealer has your order in the system by September 17th, and if the assembly line at the Kentucky Truck Plant (KTP) is going by then, then there is an excellent chance your truck will be delivered to your dealer before November 15th.

Because of the manual tranny, most dealers are not going to want your truck in their inventory. So if they order it for you they'll want you to take delivery, even if it comes in late, after you're already back in the desert. So plan on that 2 percent chance that your truck won't be available at your dealership before you have to crawl back on the big bird, and arrange for someone else to take delivery and hang on to it for you.

I would "get in bed" with a dealerperson that will keep up with what's going on, and as soon as they know the KTP plans to begin production by September 17th, get your order into the system. But if they find out production has been delayed past September 17th, then don't process your order unless you agree to take delivery regardless of when the truck finally gets there.

BTW, about 43 years ago I was stationed in the Middle East, and I ordered a new Corvette direct from General Motors (before the PX/BX/NEX began selling cars to GIs stationed overseas). I placed my order in February for August delivery. Back then the 'Vette assembly plant was near Saint Louis, MO. GM took care of me and my new car was waiting for me at a Saint Louis Chevy dealer when I climbed off the big bird in Saint Louis. The drive from Saint Louis to Midland was memorable!

And talk about nastalgia - that car listed for about $4,250 and I paid $3,650. The only options were a 4-speed stick and Posi-Traction. Can you conceive of a brand new Corvette for only $3,650? Even a "stripper"?

[OT-550]

I want to thank you for your service to this country ringtb.

[CMB430]

I am not sure about the time from order to delivery, but why go with the XL? Spring for the XLT. It is not too much more, and you can get some nice power features. If you add the most common options to the XL, it costs just as much as the XLT, and with the chrome grill and lighted tow mirrors, it looks better. Just my opinion. I used money from my deployment to secure mine.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by CMB430

... but why go with the XL? Spring for the XLT. It is not too much more, and you can get some nice power features. If you add the most common options to the XL, it costs just as much as the XLT, and with the chrome grill and lighted tow mirrors, it looks better.

Based on 2008 models MSRP:

F-350 SRW XLT SuperCab 4x4 longbed 6.4L and no other options:
$41,880

F-350 SRW XL SuperCab 4x4 longbed 6.4L and these options to make it liveable:
$220 18" tires same as XLT
$425 40/20/40 cloth front seat same as XLT
$850 AC
$385 Cruise control and tilt steering wheel
$530 power windows,locks,mirrors
$175 XL decor group (headlights)
------------
$39,665
============

So to make the XL liveable for me, there is still $2,215 savings compared to the XLT. Or less than $2,000 at the cash buying price.

What do you get for that $2,000 extra for the XLT?

carpet instead of rubber floors
CD player in the std XLT radio
cheap-looking wheel covers vs. even cheaper looking hubcaps.

That's about it.

But there is a deal-breaker for me. Privacy glass is a must out here in the desert. It's available on the XLT, but not on the XL. And no, the stick-on 3M film is not nearly as good as privacy glass. So I'd have to pay the extra for the XLT, even though I'd plan to drive it "forever" so don't give a hoot about trade-in value.

But also a huge difference in trade-in value a few years down the road. Just a guess at the difference in a 5-year-old truck, but probably a lot more than $2,000 difference in trade-in value between an XL and XLT with similar options. So unless you plan to drive the new truck "forever", you'd probably be better off in the long run to pay the $2,000 extra for the XLT up front.

[ringtb]

Thanks, everyone for your answers.

Why did I go with the XT? I planned on keeping the truck forever (I am still driving my first truck, a used 84 Ranger!!). I don't like a lot of chrome and flash because the truck is mostly going to be used around the farm. I like no floor mats (easy to clean) and manual windows (less likely to break $$).

BTW, the F250/350 is the truck of choice here. I have seen the Iraqi Army using them, contractors and "up armored" versions with machine gun turrets!

Bonus question. When does Ford plan on updating their website so I can build my truck?

Thanks again!

Tim

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by ringtb

Bonus question. When does Ford plan on updating their website so I can build my truck?

I don't know, but based on their history, they probably won't provide for building/pricing 2009 models until after production begins and prices have been announced. And this model year that's probably still a coupla months away.

But I don't expect any significant changes in options and features. Use the 2008 version to give you a good idea. Add about 6 percent to the 2008 MSRP and you'll probably hit pretty close to the 2009 MSRP. Just don't count on a Harley-Davidson Edition being available at the start of the model year.