New F150 coming to Detroit auto show

hone eagle wrote:
700 # ?
That would be a miracle
imho

Well it may happen, as quoted from the article;

"An F-150 with a mostly-aluminum body would further help fuel efficiency — reducing the vehicle’s overall weight by more than 700 pounds, compared to the conventional version. It would also allow the truck to satisfy the federal government’s upcoming CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards."

700 # ?
That would be a miracle
imho

So what happens when they drop 700lbs off the F150 but still have the erroneous 11,300 tow rating? Seems like less weight will cause more tail wagging.

Road Ruler wrote:
Lighter weight is a positive step to solve some of the shortcomings of pickups. Don't understand why they don't design some fuel saving aerodynamics into pickups. The cost would be low with notable advantages.

All three truck builders do wind tunnel tests on all vehicles they produce. The problem with a pickup is they must meet some universal standards for pickups. Like it must accommodate the standard slide in camper body, or when the pickup body is removed it should have the correct length from back of cab to center of rear axle to accommodate the aftermarket truck bed body.

So while they can change the front half of the pickup, the back half is pretty much standard, and has not changed much from 1972 to present day - in that most will still be able to carry the same size pickup campers that they could a few years ago.

Yes there was a huge uproar about the model change when people with new trucks and a older camper needed to build a 2" or 3" high pad to put under the older style camper so the overhead section would clear the new pickup design roof. This does not happen often.

Fred.

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.

Hannibal wrote:
Remember when cars were built to last? They were big, heavy and made of steel! None of that cheap plastic and aluminum everywhere!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_ptUrQOMPs

Ya I miss the days when a 30mph crash left you with a steering column through your chest,or the drive train in your lap.

Road Ruler wrote:
Lighter weight is a positive step to solve some of the shortcomings of pickups. Don't understand why they don't design some fuel saving aerodynamics into pickups. The cost would be low with notable advantages.

Just about every vehicle made gets wind tunneled! My 93 Dodge had a bug deflector on the front of the hood. Windshield washers never worked right. Removed the deflector and the wash water then landed on the windshield! Chris

Lighter weight is a positive step to solve some of the shortcomings of pickups. Don't understand why they don't design some fuel saving aerodynamics into pickups. The cost would be low with notable advantages.

wingsfan20 wrote:
It seems back in the late seventies GM went to aluminum bumpers with steel reinforcement. You saw a lot of wood bumpers on those cars. I had a Buick wagon and noticed that the aluminum was detaching from the steel. Buick wanted $300 to replace bumper. (Out of warrantee). I called GM customer service and told them about my problem. I suggested they talk to an electrical or corrosion engineer about galvanic action between dissimilar metals. GM called back and asked when I would like them to replace bumper at their cost. I hope the auto guys have figured this out.

Those old bookworm GM engineers, now retired thankfully, weren't as bright as they think they are. :B

I actually love the look of the Atlas concept truck, which the new F150 is supposed to be based off of, so I can't wait to see the new model. I've actually delayed my planned truck purchase just to see what Ford comes up with. I read somewhere that Ford will be offering a smaller displacement Ecoboost with this truck, something like 2.7L, in order to help boost fuel economy, although I cannot confirm the validity of that. If that's true, I hope the 3.5L will still be an option for those who need to tow heavy.