SMB West Factory Visits

[EMrider]

When I picked up my van, I was stunned that they let me onto the shop floor and showed me around various workstations. They let me crawl under vans on lifts getting the 4x4 stuff installed. At each station, there were people working busily. Ditto on the cutting line when they do the body work.

Most insurance carriers do not allow non-employees into the work area for obvious reasons. Insurers would void any claim for injury to a guy like me just looking around. Don't know why SMB is so lax on this issue, but I too would not be surprised if the policy changed.
Rob

[bitburger]

For those in the build process,

I'll be visiting SMB West next Wed. to finalize some of my build details.

If any of you have build on the line, I'd be happy to ask to take a couple pics while I am there.

Just drop me a note or reply here and I'll give it a shot.

-Mark

[Greg In Austin]

Mark,

Thanks....BUT I am hoping that our SMB will be on its way to TX by the time you get there....

Greg in Austin
SMB no longer on the lift !!

[bitburger]

Greg,

If it is still at SMB when I get there next week, I'll offer to drive it down to you:-)

That would be better than the standard "test drive around the block".

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Good luck, I hope it arrives safe and soon.

-Mark

[Txn2daBone]

Hey there Greg,

This is actually my first post so I'm crossing my fingers that I get this right. Does your SMB happen to be white with the huge friggin tires? I live in San Antonio but have been doing some work in LA and had the day off so I took the tour of SMB West. Greg White gave me the tour but as I was talking to another fella (and taking lots of pictures) he asked me if I wanted to see something cool...and of course I agreed. I could have sworn he said the "McKay van" belonged to a guy in Austin...and then I remembered reading your post here just a few days ago. If it is your SMB it's still there but he said it was heading to Texas pretty quick.

...and if I've just been rambling on and this isn't your SMB...so sorry!
...but I did get a picture of it.

Ric

[Greg In Austin]

Ric,

I think that you spotted the elusive McKay SMB.... it is supposed to be arriving in Austin this week, Friday or Saturday. (wahoooo)
...where it will continue its evolution into a full fledged SMB.

DANG I can't wait to put my eyes on it in person !!

[Txn2daBone]

Well if I knew how to attach a picture on here I'd send it to ya. It sure stood out from all the other ones with those tires. I just found out today that the SMB in Austin doesn't do the 4WD conversions (seeing as how I've never been to the one in Austin) If you don't mind me asking...did you purchase your van through SMB in Austin or a Ford dealer? I'm hoping within the next few weeks I can put in an order for my very own very cool SMB.

Ric

[Greg In Austin]

I ordered my Van through SMB TX. SMB TX works with a local Austin Ford Dealership and I talked to the Ford Dealership to make sure I understood what choices I had. The van was delivered from the Ford factory directly to SMB CA for the 4WD work.

(you can use the email button and email the photo to me if you want)

[Txn2daBone]

Hopefully I got the picture sent to ya correctly.

Enjoy!

Ric

[surfgeek33]

Heading out to SMB West tomorrow AM. Let us know if anyone has any questions for the staff or build pics request.

-Ray and Ruby