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Likes_to_tow's avatar
Likes_to_tow
Nomad
Feb 07, 2015

Aluminum body on F150

I'm skeptical of new things. Engineers and marketing experts sometimes make mistakes. I suppose the Ford 6.0 diesel being such a problem makes me this way. It chased me away from Ford trucks when I required diesel power. It's obvious that by taking weight off you can go with smaller engines. The CAFE and EPA regulations require the automotive industry to make drastic design changes in their line.

Aluminum makes this possible. However I overheard a conversation yesterday that makes me wonder about this latest gamble by Ford. A guy was telling his friend that the present CEO of Ford is a previous CEO from ALCOA Aluminum and this accounts for the push to aluminum. Also I heard in the conversation about all the expense and proceedures that reputable body shops must go through to be endorsed by insurance companies. Has anyone purchased insurance yet on these new trucks?? Some of the guys I talk to are already looking at the 2014 models so they can get the "last of the good ones."

When these trucks have been around about 5 years and have a track record that I can verify then and only then will I laydown the cash.
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  • coolbreeze01's avatar
    coolbreeze01
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2015
    I didn't think much of fiberglass hoods on Class 8 trucks, but got used to the light weight.
    You'll get used to aluminum ;)
  • hone_eagle's avatar
    hone_eagle
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2015
    That light that that fool on Edmunds broke also had a backup camera or sensor in it ,of course it was big $$$.
  • L2R's avatar
    L2R
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2015
    Ford tested these F150s for years down in the salt mines before they announced this.

    Aluminum and plastic continue to increasingly be used because the gov't and consumers demand better gas mileage.

    For those who abuse their vehicles and use them as work vehicles, the immediate issue is repair costs. And repair costs are different and will be higher to repair aluminum. The lights are apparently made of unobtainium as Edmunds pointed out when they took a hammer to one and then took it in for repairs.
    This points to insurance premiums being higher for these.

    For those who baby their trucks or want more towing capacity, this may be another step in the right direction.

    No doubt this is risky and only time will tell whether it works, gets improved or it moves to other vehicles. Frankly, I would have thought this would be a better fit for cars but my guess is the towing capacity is the driving force behind it.
  • Steeljag's avatar
    Steeljag
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2015
    mich800 wrote:
    RoyB wrote:
    I have gotten letters recently from just about all of the local truck dealers around here wanting to know if I wanted to sell my 2010 Ford truck...

    Had not really give much thought about their reasoning doing this...

    My son-in-law drives a new company F250 Ford work Truck that is all aluminum and says it literally stinks really bad when it gets hot.

    We all have seen the recent photos of them burning/melting down in accidents...

    Roy Ken


    I have received the marketing letters from dealerships for years doing this. They want you in the door to make the sale nothing more.


    I've gotten those letters, and now e-mails from dealers on every vehicle I've ever owned! There will be negative talk on every "new" advancement in any industry. I'm sure there were negative feedback on Auto transmissions, turbos, air conditioning, PW, power door locks, power steering, cruise control, brake controllers, etc, .......None of that stuff will work, LOL..........just something else to go wrong !
  • dewey02's avatar
    dewey02
    Explorer II
    Feb 07, 2015
    Now you know where all those empty beer cans you've been recycling will end up.
    That is the bad smell your aluminum Ford has when it heats up...old beer! :B
  • mich800's avatar
    mich800
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2015
    RoyB wrote:
    I have gotten letters recently from just about all of the local truck dealers around here wanting to know if I wanted to sell my 2010 Ford truck...

    Had not really give much thought about their reasoning doing this...

    My son-in-law drives a new company F250 Ford work Truck that is all aluminum and says it literally stinks really bad when it gets hot.

    We all have seen the recent photos of them burning/melting down in accidents...

    Roy Ken


    I have received the marketing letters from dealerships for years doing this. They want you in the door to make the sale nothing more.
  • mich800's avatar
    mich800
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2015
    So now it is a conspiracy. But where are they going to find the tinfoil for their hats with the aluminum shortages brought on by Ford.
  • Denny___Jami's avatar
    Denny___Jami
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2015
    RoyB wrote:
    I have gotten letters recently from just about all of the local truck dealers around here wanting to know if I wanted to sell my 2010 Ford truck...

    Had not really give much thought about their reasoning doing this...

    My son-in-law drives a new company F250 Ford work Truck that is all aluminum and says it literally stinks really bad when it gets hot.

    We all have seen the recent photos of them burning/melting down in accidents...

    Roy Ken


    The F250 doesn't have a aluminum body just the F150

    Denny
  • Tiger02's avatar
    Tiger02
    Explorer
    Feb 07, 2015
    Yes, just too early to tell, and not enough reliable information on repair costs. I don't buy into conspiracy theories as it would take more than one mans desire for aluminum to make such a drastic swing away from a steel body.

    Ford actually never made a 6.0 diesel engine. They used an International diesel 6.0 and it is a technological marvel. The diesel geek in me drools over that engine as well as the 24V 5.9 Cummins. When I tire of my 97 Ford F350 with the OBS I plan on buying a MY 05 - 07 F350 with the 6.0. Best looking trucks by far after the OBS and pre-EPA craziness that started in 2008. They are also selling between $11,000 and $18,000 right now.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Feb 07, 2015
    I have gotten letters recently from just about all of the local truck dealers around here wanting to know if I wanted to sell my 2010 Ford truck...

    Had not really give much thought about their reasoning doing this...

    My son-in-law drives a new company F250 Ford work Truck that is all aluminum and says it literally stinks really bad when it gets hot.

    We all have seen the recent photos of them burning/melting down in accidents...

    Roy Ken

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