aluminum F150 under test since 2011

The only downside I can see to the aluminium truck is the potential for insurance rates to increase due to the cost to repair if involved in a collision. New techniques etc with a new material.

Well we all know that the biggest challenge is the potential for galvanic corrosion between he aluminum and other metals, and how well Ford manages this. Perhaps a giant Anode rod will be needed...

:B

didn't audi have that A8 all aluminum car mainstreamed 10 years ago?

sch911 wrote:
Well we all know that the biggest challenge is the potential for galvanic corrosion between he aluminum and other metals, and how well Ford manages this. Perhaps a giant Anode rod will be needed...

:B

Mega yachts have been built of steel (hull) and aluminum (superstructure) for 40 years,forget the details -bonding? maybe.
I will look it up you peeked my interest.

ib516 wrote:
The only downside I can see to the aluminium truck is the potential for insurance rates to increase due to the cost to repair if involved in a collision. New techniques etc with a new material.

all those aluminum bass boats have not cause such a problem

Many cars have used aluminum body panels over the years. Land Rovers had them a very long time ago; my old Mercedes 300SD had an aluminum hood and sun roof.

sch911 wrote:
Well we all know that the biggest challenge is the potential for galvanic corrosion between he aluminum and other metals, and how well Ford manages this. Perhaps a giant Anode rod will be needed...

:B

My 12 year old explorer came with an aluminum hood, and I just checked the garage and it's still there. I guess they've solved that issue over a decade ago.

Hey my Jeep has an aluminium hood! I just hope the insurance companies don't see it as an opportunity to increase rates. I also think GM and RAM will follow Ford's lead on the new material - don't think they can afford not to.

hone eagle wrote:


link

They were driving them and didn't know since 2011 ,construction company and a mining operation,don't look too bad and they didn't dissolve to powder eh?

THis is a picture from the link above.



Who keeps saying that a aluminum body is "New"? Anyone hear of Range Rover? One of the reasons they where so popular in Africa is the aluminum body. It would not rust, and held up best to elephants and rhino's hitting them.

I think that Ford made a great decision to make the F-150 out of aluminum, and drop the tiny Ranger. You can get the F-150 for only a few dollars a month more than the Ranger, and now they are about the same weight, and will get about the same mileage too.

Fred.

I just hope they got the primer/paint process right? after seeing all the paint peeling off of the aluminum panels from different manuf. for the last 10 years it scares me to think what may happen with a bad prep/paint process!