GM is going aluminum

Ford made the switch, GM announces they are making the switch, the rest will follow.

Steel bodies used to rust like crazy,then they fixed that .I cant believe anyone would think for a minute back sliding will be tolerated.
They will corrode less then steel or heads would roll.

Groover wrote:

colliehauler wrote:
I wonder how salt will effect aluminum truck bodies?

Based on my experience with boats around salt water I have to answer "It depends". I have seen some aluminum just turn to powder after a few years but I have seen little evidence of that on hulls made for salt exposure with the proper alloys and properly prepared. There corrosion resistant coatings for aluminum that are very effective. The coating process is called anodizing and can be used to impregnate the surface with dies, giving interesting color to the metal. Electrolysis can be an issue. The biggest problem may be aftermarket equipment not installed properly causing electrolysis.

One visit to the parking lot of a large, community boat ramp anywhere on the east or west coast (saltwater) will definitely give you an interesting perspective. IMO, most of the aluminum trailers I've seen seem to fare much better than steel. The contrast is especially striking on trailers where both aluminum and steel are used.

FWIW, I've seen a number of NOAA law enforcement boats (approx. 30 footers) in the Keys that seem to use an interesting combination of stainless steel and aluminum on their hulls. I've seen these boats up close (don't ask me why--lol!) and they look bulletproof--figuratively and literally.

If GM did, ford would eat them alive in advertising..

hone eagle wrote:

colliehauler wrote:
I wonder how salt will effect aluminum truck bodies?

Ford is using Marine grade 6061-T6 i imagine GM will not use a lesser material.

Do tell why you would think this :h . Do you have a reason to think that?

Don

Post office LLVs are aluminum. The one I was driving when I retired from a PO in upstate NY where the roads are white with salt 4 months a year was 31 years old. It was only washed when it went for service every quarter. About six months before I left it blew the engine, while they had it they repainted it, couldn't tell it from a new one.
Granted the sheetmetal was probably much thicker than what the new trucks will be using, but there was no corrosion.

colliehauler wrote:
I wonder how salt will effect aluminum truck bodies?

Ford is using Marine grade 6061-T6 i imagine GM will not use a lesser material.

Ford has also used aluminum for years on some panels. Grand Marquis/Cr Vic/ Town Car hood and trunk since 1991. F150 hood since around 2008 I think. Expedition hood and liftgate since around 2003. More money to repair than steel. Maybe will require replacement of panels instead of repair. Not sure.

Lots of class 8 trailers are made of aluminum and there are literally tens of thousands of aluminum constructed horse trailers rolling down the road. If salt was an issue it would have come to light years ago.

If you buff one out could you make it as shinny as an Airstream. That would be a neat setup.:)