New F150 coming to Detroit auto show

DSteiner51 wrote:
I don't see aluminum any different then steel. I've seen steel cans crushed too. I've seen auto's crashed. I think the thickness and it's shape has much more to do with how well it holds up. With the steel so thin now and new aluminum alloys I don't think it would be any worse.

Funny tho... I remember I think it was back in the early '70's where the news media was predicting a severe shortage of aluminum shortly and I have often wondered where they were getting all this aluminum now. Even the wheels are now made of it without steel even being an option on many vehicles. I'm also surprised not more carbon fiber, fiberglass, etc is used.

I wonder too, will they up the payload or cut the GVWR? Upping the payload will really cut into 250 territory.

If they move the F-150 to above 8,550 GVWR, then it becomes a heavy duty truck without need for fuel mileage testing. I think it will stay below 8,400 pounds GVWR for now.

Aluminum is not new to auto manufacturing. Have you heard of the Range Rover? One reason the 50's and 60's Range Rovers lasted so long out in the deserts of Africa is the aluminum body.

It might be nice to have a anodized aluminum body - instead of painted one? Think of all the colors that aluminum flashlights come in - bright blues to orange or shiny silver. Of course that would require a aluminum cab as well, to keep the color the same all over the truck. The anodizing will not flake off should you bend the metal, and I don't think anodizing can scrape off, like paint can scrape off, it more or less soaks into the outer layer of the Aluminum.

I am guessing that the aluminum bed will become a option for 2014 and might become standard in a year or two. I think it will become a very popular option with those realizing that you get better mileage and more payload with it.

I was checking Ford Media website last night, and they will be releasing a 300 HP 2.3L Ecoboost and a yet to be named Ecoboost next year. Perhaps they will come out with the 5L Ecoboost for the larger trucks soon? Ford is not talking yet. . .

Ford is also saying it will have auto-stop technology on 70% of it's vehicles by 2017. So when you arrive at a stoplight, and keep your foot on the brake, the vehicle will move to neutral, engine stop, and save gas. As you move your foot to the gas pedal, then the engine starts, moves back to drive, releases the brakes (anti-rollback feature) and you go on your way. Somehow I think they will be using something other than a conventional 12 volt starter, for longevity and quick starting ability, and not hearing that cranking noise each time. GMC has a motor in their hybrids that starts the engine in less than one second, and you are off and moving again. The smaller 12 volt motor would be used as back up starting ability when the other battery is low.

Fred.