New to forum. I'm interested in a 3500 that was put together by U.S. citizens. What year did they start assembling them in Mexico? Or, do they build some in Mexico & some in the U.S. If so, how do you determine?

 

Some are built in Mexico and some are built in St. Louis.

I understand your desire, believe me, but from what I've seen here and heard from other owners, the Mexican built trucks appear to be having less problems.

 

FWIW, my 05 was built south of the border and havent had any real issues with it.

 

I have to agree..... Had 1995 1500 built in mexico and no "build quality" issues... had 2003 1500 Built in St. Louis had MANY issues that came from sloppy workmanship to the point of trading it... 2005 3500 built in Mexico no problems....

 

1st digit of the VIN

1 = Manufactured By
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
3 = Manufactured By
DaimlerChrysler De Mexico

thats what the 05 service manual says.

 

I've heard that Mexico trucks have fewer paint problems then the ones painted in the USA. Mine was made in Mexico and to date have not had any problems. BTW my first Vin # is 3 on my 2006. I wounder if the US trucks have more problems then the ones made south of the border? It sure would be nice to know this info!

 

Made in the USA and no problem's so far....
BTW I made sure mine was from good ol USA when I was looking..

 

If this VIN assumption is correct for 2007's as well, then mine was made in USA and I have no "build" problems yet....knock on wood....

 

94 was USA, 02 is USA, 06 is Mexico.

94...

2 rear ends before 80k, IAS motor, Throw out bearing, Rear window leak, numerous other things I can't recall

02...

A/C compressor failed at 40K, Tail lights failed every 6 months until I found glass base bulbs, engine failed at 39k, replaced at 50k. (I'll explain)

At around 39k I started experiencing a lack of power and back firing when under hard throttle going up hills and raised freeway on-ramps. Code illuminated for misfire #7 cylinder, they found a cracked spark plug...about 4 months later same thing, same code, another cracked plug, they replaced it again and about 4 months later it again failed, cracked spark plug.

I have never seen one plug crack ever and to have 3 on the same cylinder in a years time, no way. The mechanic said he suspected a bad head gasket, he disassembled it and found the gasket was bad, the head was also cracked and the cylinder bore was scored. I thought I was going to die 36k power train warranty, right...Nope we bought her on 4th of July weekend and the promotion was free 100k warranty, Woohoo!

06...

Loose coolant clamp, only 16k on her though.

 

my 04.5 was built in mexico- it has been to the shop twice-both for minor tsb's. (weather stripping/high idle feature) truck has 64,000 miles on her- not one squeak or rattle!

 

Mine's a Mexican and no problemo yeto.

 

Ditto. My 95 1500 ram was built in St. Louis and it was a great truck. No problems like some of the other rams of that era had.

A couple of years ago, I remember TommyGunn saying they were going to start building Cummins powered rams in the US again (All 05 CTD's were built in Mexico), I believe in 06.

 

No problems at all in the 2005 in my sig, but of course I speak spanish to my truck all the time so it understands me. Hecho in Mexico!

 

Thanks for all the info. I'm not concerned with build quality. I want to support fellow U.S. citizens / workers, if at all possible. We're losing too many jobs to other countries! I'll make sure to check the first digit of the VIN, and try to buy one made in the U.S.

 

It is definitely a two-edged sword! My truck was built in Mexico, not a single problem or squeak, I have 18.5k miles on it now.