RobertRyan wrote:
It seems the lack of frames is becoming a major issue at Ford. Could this impact on the new HD F250/350's which will have similar alloy frames?
Ford Frame problems
Definitely hurting F150 sales, how about to be released HD's?
DailyTech - Ford’s Use of Aluminum Bodies to Extend to Super Duty Trucks, Chrysler Doubles Ram EcoDiesel Production
Earlier this year Ford unveiled the 2015 F-150 that makes extensive use of aluminum for the body structure in an effort to reduce weight (and improve fuel economy). In fact, 95 percent of the F-150’s body structure is comprised of aluminum alloys.
An apples-to-apples comparison of 2014 F-150 Lariat Crewcab 4x4 and a 2015 Lariat Crewcab 4x4 showed that the latter tipped the scales at 4,942 pounds — 732 pounds less than its predecessor.
Ford is looking to take the lessons learned from the development of the half-ton F-150 and apply them to the next generation of rugged Super Duty pickups. Ford exec Raj Nair confirmed on Monday at the company's investor conference that the next generation Super Duty will switch to an aluminum body.
Ford HD Alloy bodies From Daily Tech
This list shows all F-series trucks. They make them in 3 plants. The F-150 crews work 4/10 hour days, and there are a total of 6 crews working the 2 plants making all the F-150's they can each day! However the F-150's can not be built quickly enough. The local dealerships are running out of them.
As for the F-250/350 and larger F-series trucks, they are produced at the third plant, and my guess is they will keep using all steel frames for the next 10 years+. Aluminum body would mean that they are not going to rust out anymore, and that would be great. Range Rover's in the 60's where aluminum body, but they are still around, so that is a problem, with the body not wearing out after 20 - 30 years.
So this chart shows all F-series trucks. 3 plants. So my guess is that 1/3 are the heavy duty trucks. 2/3 F-150's. That would be about 100,000 heavy duty and 200,000 light duty.
As for why the Ranger was dropped in North America? Consumer studies say that if they can get a full size F-150 and get 20 MPG, quiet gas engine, and the payment is only about $35 a month more, then the consumers that where surveyed would have picked a F-150 over the Ranger. So why does Ford want to spend $200,000,000 re-tooling a Ranger plant when they can sell a F-150 at more of a profit? They dropped the Ranger by popular demand.
Ford was hoping that the 2.7L Ecoboost F-150 grocery getter will produce the same MPG as the 4L ranger got a few years ago. They are probably right, that the F-150 is a much better truck, now with more power, and better mileage with the optional 2.7L EB.
As for a diesel, Ford surveys say "I want a great mileage truck with none of the problems starting a diesel in the freezing mornings and smell of a diesel truck" And no diesel clatter! Ford thinks they can deliver this in the 2.7 EB. And the F-350 diesel option is something well over $7,000, so they do not think this will be a good thing for such a small vehicle.
I don't know why they started putting the 3.2L diesel in the Transit. Ford could have put in the 2.7 EB in the smaller Transit full size vans.
Ford should start to put out a larger EB for the larger trucks.. Probably something that is in testing. It would be easy to predict that Ford has been installing a 3.5L EB in the F-350 and testing the heck out of it. See what happens when you load it up and tow something heavy. How much it might overheat under such strain for 100,000 miles. Then Ford must decide what to put into the F-250/350 trucks. Right now it is easy, just two engine to worry about stocking at the plant.
Ford is not worried at all about the Colorado production numbers. They are not significant, and Ford does not want to bring back the small Ranger. It might even need to change over another plant to start making more F-150's!
Fred.
