I have been told that they have been testing these for years down in the salt mines where the monster dump trucks and catapillers live and die underground.
I have to believe that Ford feels pretty confident to launch this. In all reality, I see most trucks around here that never get used much less abused as a work truck. And most everyone I know puts a liner or has a liner sprayed after the purchase as well.
I do work in the auto industry and I do know that aluminum weighs 1/3 the weight of steel so for some things, it makes a lot of sense. T6061 aircraft aluminum is pretty tough and is used heavily in the manufacturing industry where steel was once used. And it costs a lot more too.
How they applied it and where is the key. I don't want to be the beta tester but I have to guess that for the majority of truck owners, the gas mileage increase will be attractive especially if they only haul mulch and use the hitch.
One thing for sure, it isn't going to drive any better in the snow with a lighter still rear end. If I got one, it would have to a 4 x 4.
