Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 2015 Ford F150 aluminum

Much of the new truck talk seems centered around Ford F150 with it's aluminum, or "High strength, military grade, aluminum alloys", as they say in the ad. Also says it "resists corrosion". Aluminum has been tried before on various parts at least, corrosion seems to have been a real issue. In areas that don't have winter road salt, maybe not so much a worry, but wondering about how it will/wont hold up in other areas? Like to hear opinions/facts from those in the know. Thanks.

No down side that I know of. Years of messing with airplanes...

If you have a fender bender, it may cost more to fix.

Aluminum that has been anodized develops a coating of aluminum oxide on the exterior, the same stuff they make grinding wheels from. That stuff is an electrical insulator and impervious to corrosion as long as the surface remains intact. I worked with anodized aluminum extrusions for years, and found I couldn't get an electrical connection through the surface without grinding to bare metal.

It should last, just don't get the old crystal Draino anywhere near it, (sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrate, and sodium chloride with aluminum shards) or the aluminum will be damaged or dissolved.

I recall aluminum automotive radiator tanks being pitted and corroded by the saltwater atmosphere at the marina across from my shop.

Ford isn't using aluminum primarily because of corrosion, it's adding it to reduce weight of the fleet in order to meet new stringent federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards pending for cars and light turcks. http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/08/29/545-miles-per-gallon-for-all-cars-by-2025-not-exactly

Besides, do you really want to buy a Ford F-150? You do know what the "F" stands for, yes?

First on race day?

Airplanes do not run in salt. Runways at airports use non sodium chloride chemicals.
I would be concerned about salt, but that is already an issue with steel.
I just bought a new chev. Been there and burned twice on fords.

Last year I went ahead and bought a 2014 after seeing the 2015's. I wanted an Ecoboost, and that engine & trans were unchanged for 2015.

Body corrosion is not a big problem around here. While I think the weight savings helps fuel economy around town, I don't think it buys you that much on the highway. I slightly prefer the looks of the 2014 over the 2015. The 2015 has a few more convenience doodads. The aluminum body WILL cost more to repair (and probably to insure).

Except for cost, I don't think the aluminum is a negative, but not enough to get me excited about it.

There have been concepts leaked of a 2017 Raptor, with an uprated Ecoboost engine. They look nice, and are interesting.

I'm a Ford guy, but in my years of the auto repair business, the only thing I found aluminum good for was beer cans! If they have found a way for aluminum not to corrode, then maybe. Aluminum wheels corrode after a few years and then you either demount the tires, clean wheels and reseal or put air in every week. Aluminum blocks, heads, radiators, are all junk IMO.

Not an issue for me, lease a new F150 every two years....

Thanks for replies so far all.

Topstock, this is the issue I was trying to address mostly. A long time mechanic fiend of mine said the same. He mentioned that at one time Ford used an aluminum backer plate on the rear bumper, and they had issues with that. Kind of hate buying any vehicle the first year they make major changes to things.

Airplanes, just like cars corrode more based on their location.

They do indeed corrode in humid, salt water proximity.

Aluminum corrosion can be treated chemically. A Cessna 172 I was wanting to buy would not pass inspection for sale because of previous salt water corrosion, and although it had been stopped, and the plane was sound, the damage history report was already in place. It follows the plane as long as it's around.

I take it you've never worked on airplanes that were based near salt water...

Exactly...the ONR sure is interested in the influence of chorides and the fatigue crack growth response of Al alloys. Otherwise I wouldn't currently be doing testing of this nature.

run al hulls in salt water for quite a few years now... take to the carwash when done, although I can't get under the poly on the bottom of the hull.

Have seen no issues so far. Been doing this a bit over 10 years now IIRC.

I'm sure I've been in the auto repair business longer than probably 95% of you. I started doing it in 1965. I do like aluminum components in engines and transmissions as well as other parts. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. I am not a proponent of aluminum body panels at this time, repair cost and insurance. They ain't anodizing body parts on the Ford.

Are you really BigSqueeze that faked your own death here?

Nave has some ships wit aluminium superstructure. Not sure the nave ever gets near salt.

Based on?

With the advances in casting technology aluminum works.

Aluminum bolted to dissimilar metal, add salt, and who needs a battery!


Aluminum boats rule the roost up here. Most are good to go. Occasionally someone has some stray current or is improperly zinced and the hull gets eaten.

Not long ago a guy up here with a 26' Duckworth OS, a $100+K boat that was just a few months old, and the hull was a total loss.

I don't know how it will work out for Ford, but it wouldn't scare me.

buddy ownes a body shop, had one come in that got hit in the bed side, said it cost about 7500$ for parts and labor, he said he felt terrible, but he had to charge that to make anything. his advice, buy something made of steel, cause you wont like to cost to fix if it gets hit