Originator: Stephen I. Dains/sdains
Page 1
Date Issued: 2-16-04
guidebookcommon spring 2004.doc
DateRevised: 5/6/2004
A.
SCOPEOFTHISMANUAL
Note: The latest versionof thismanual isavailableonlineat
. Clickon the 'Publications' pulldownmenu.
Thismanual provides guidelines for final stagemanufacturers buildingonFord incomplete
vehicleproducts. (This includes vehiclealterers buildingonFord completed vehicles.) It also
includes an introduction toprocess controls, quality controls, customer support, andmanagement
practices recommendedbyFord.
Thismanual is a supplement to, not a substitute for, the
IncompleteVehicleManual
and the
Ford
TruckBodyBuildersLayout Book (available inbookorCD form)
. Availableonlineat
.
Final stagemanufacturers shouldnote that following theguidelines furnished in thismanual is not
alone sufficient toensure that a completed vehiclewill meet all applicable federal, state, and local
vehicleanduser laws and regulations.
FordMotor Company recognizes theneed for final stagemanufacturers tomeet special vehicle
requirements of their customers andattempts to supply guidelines, suchas thismanual, toassist
inmeeting this need. Major chassismodifications, likewheelbase changes, four wheel drive
conversions, or air suspension systems,may adversely affect several areas of vehicle
performance including vehicle steeringandhandling, braking, tirewear, and component
reliability. Therefore, inaddition tomeetingFMVSS, CMVSS, KKK, NTEA-AMD, RVIA,MSBMA,
NMEDAguidelines or othermotor vehicle requirements or specifications, final stage
manufacturers are toexercise soundengineering judgment in theexecutionof vehicle
modifications toavoidadverseeffects to vehicleperformance. Final stagemanufacturers are to
incorporateappropriate testingand vehicleevaluationas part of its sign-off process beforenew
models ormajormodifications are released to the customer.
TheFordTruckQualityProgram specifies that eachbuilder is tomaintain records outlining their
product compliance strategies andmake themavailable toFord for reviewduringFTQP visits.
This reviewbyFordwill not constituteFord's concurrence inC/FMVSS complianceof the
manufacturer's products. Fordwill use this review toassess the strengthof themanufacturer's
compliance verificationprogram. Responsibility for the complianceandperformanceof the
completed vehicle restswith the final stagemanufacturer. SeeTitle49of theCodeof Federal
Regulations, Part 568, or Section8of theCanadianMotor VehicleSafetyRegulations. This
includes responsibility formodifications that may be subcontracted toan intermediate stage
builder.
Unique industrymodifications areaddressed under the UniqueGuidelines tabof this
guidebook.
