Building a modern pickup truck is no simple matter, as evidenced by this video showing the all-new 2020 Silverado HD – the one on the new GM T1 platform – being built at the GM Flint assembly plant in Flint, Michigan. Clocking in at three minutes in length, the video doesn’t cover every single detail of the assembly process, but it still provides an interesting overview on how the 2020 Silverado HD goes from a smattering of pieces to a complete pickup.
The video starts with already-stamped parts with exposed metal heading down the line and getting riveted. They’re then checked over for imperfections before hitting the paint shop, being submerged in a tub, and then getting sprayed with.
The video shows a multitude of robot arms swinging every which way as the components are fitted, plus (human) workers quality checking the results.
We then see the frame, already equipped with the engine and drivetrain, mated to the cab and bed. There’s also footage of the suspension testing and drivetrain testing, but that isn’t something that happens at the Flint plant. Rather, these tests were performed at a development facility during 2020 Silverado HD development.
No matter, seeing the production line doing its thing is impressive, and it reveals just how complicated the modern manufacturing process really is. And that’s for a body-on-frame pickup truck… since producing a unibody vehicle is even more complex.
The Chevrolet Silverado entered its all-new fourth-generation for the 2019 model year. The latest 2020 model year is set to arrive with a number of minor updates to the 2020 Silverado 1500 and Silverado Medium Duty 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD models, as well as a total redesign for the Silverado HD – which is the unit we’re seeing in this video.
The 2020 Silverado is produced across four plants, as follows.
| Plant: | GM Flint | GM Fort Wayne | GM Silao | Navistar Springfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location: | Flint, Michigan USA | Fort Wayne, Indiana USA | Silao, Mexico | Springfield, Ohio, USA |
| Silverado LD: | Silverado 1500 | Silverado 1500 | Silverado 1500 | |
| Silverado HD: | Silverado HD | Silverado HD | ||
| Sierra LD: | Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 | Sierra 1500 | |
| Sierra HD: | Sierra HD | Sierra HD | ||
| Silverado MD: | Silverado Medium Duty |
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Comments
Since the new base gas 6.6 engine has about 80 pounds feet more torque than the 2019 6.0 liter engine, expect much better performance with the 464 lbs feet of torque. A very high 10.8 to one compression ratio, with full water jackets between each cylinder, also will allow the gas engine to run even better on propane, which has about 105 octane. The new 6.6 gasser is based on the LT4 engine. Remember when you buy the $9,000 extra cost diesel, you are also paying higher sales tax and finance charges which over 4 or 5 years means about $12,000 extra for the diesel. You better be pulling very heavy loads or driving at least 30,000 miles a year to get your payback on the extra cost of the diesel. GM rated the 6.6 gas engine torque on regular gas, so if you try 91 octane gas in it, expect about 500 lbs feet of torque with a full synthetic oil after a 3,000 miles break-in. The very heavy duty Class 8 highway trucks with 11 to 15 liter diesel engines are now approved for the new grade of 10W30 diesel full synthetic. It saves on fuel use and will have a bit more power too as well as faster starting in the winter. For a gas engine that is pulling a heavy load and runs hot, buy a dual oil filter adaptor and run two oil filters to help keep the engine from running too hot, at least for the summer months when towing . Convert back to the single filter for the winter months, for a faster warmup to normal temps. GM has hinted at an even larger gas engine for the Silverado Medium Duty 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD trucks. Expect a gas engine of at least 7 to 7.4 liters and and torque of about 525 for the 4500 to 6500 HD models, with a lower compression ratio than the 6.6 gasser. Remember that Ford has a new 7.3 liter 2020 gas engine for the 2500 and 3500 pickups and 3500 to 5500 chassis cabs and Econoline type chassis cabs for cube vans. That big 7.3 gasser will also be in the F650 and F750 Class 6 and Class 7 trucks.
Hey has anyone ask if the snowplow will block the headlights on these trucks?
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/03/2020-gm-hd-pickup-trucks-bring-snow-plow-package-improvements/
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