No down side that I know of. Years of messing with airplanes...
If you have a fender bender, it may cost more to fix.
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
Well it will cost me the same, but my insurance co won't like it. Ford, Chev, and Dodge have been using aluminum hoods on trucks for a while now... I think, not positive though. Ford has for sure.
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.
.........Not a corrosion expert. But regardless of frame material whether steel or aluminum, there are coatings that can be applied underneath to the frame that combat severe conditions.
The only downside that I've heard is, is that when an aluminum frame has been damaged in an accident the costs are up vs the steel frame. Secondly, most collision shops are not equipped to handle repairing aluminum frames because a completely seperate and closed off area must be used so that the aluminum material is not compromised or contaminated by any steel fragments.
Also, quite an investment by the collision shops will be needed to fix aluminum frames if they choose to. A specially equipped re-tooled for aluminum shop must be used.
All of the above per Jerry Reynolds the car pro USA guy on the AM radio that I listen to once in awhile.
I can understand why Ford now uses the aluminum frame for the F150. To lighten up the truck for better MPG. Maybe keeping the steel frame and going with an 8 spd trans and maybe re-tweeking the rear end ratio a little for lower engine RPMs might have accomplished the same MPG results while not compromising performance? Hell I don't know. Just throwing it out there.
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.
.........Not a corrosion expert. But regardless of frame material whether steel or aluminum, there are coatings that can be applied underneath to the frame that combat severe conditions.
The only downside that I've heard is, is that when an aluminum frame has been damaged in an accident the costs are up vs the steel frame. Secondly, most collision shops are not equipped to handle repairing aluminum frames because a completely seperate and closed off area must be used so that the aluminum material is not compromised or contaminated by any steel fragments.
Also, quite an investment by the collision shops will be needed to fix aluminum frames if they choose to. A specially equipped re-tooled for aluminum shop must be used.
All of the above per Jerry Reynolds the car pro USA guy on the AM radio that I listen to once in awhile.
I can understand why Ford now uses the aluminum frame for the F150. To lighten up the truck for better MPG. Maybe keeping the steel frame and going with an 8 spd trans and maybe re-tweeking the rear end ratio a little for lower engine RPMs might have accomplished the same MPG results while not compromising performance? Hell I don't know. Just throwing it out there.
For the record the only thing aluminum on the new f150 is the skin, frame remains steel and it's heavier frame than the 2014.
Actually the 2015 F150 frame is 60lbs lighter than the 2014 and thinner. supposed to be made out of 10% stronger steel....Some of the new 2015 F150 owners are complaining of Door rattles From Frame flexing on rough roads. I own a 2014 no rattles and frame flexing on rough roads.
“When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
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.
.........Not a corrosion expert. But regardless of frame material whether steel or aluminum, there are coatings that can be applied underneath to the frame that combat severe conditions.
The only downside that I've heard is, is that when an aluminum frame has been damaged in an accident the costs are up vs the steel frame. Secondly, most collision shops are not equipped to handle repairing aluminum frames because a completely seperate and closed off area must be used so that the aluminum material is not compromised or contaminated by any steel fragments.
Also, quite an investment by the collision shops will be needed to fix aluminum frames if they choose to. A specially equipped re-tooled for aluminum shop must be used.
All of the above per Jerry Reynolds the car pro USA guy on the AM radio that I listen to once in awhile.
I can understand why Ford now uses the aluminum frame for the F150. To lighten up the truck for better MPG. Maybe keeping the steel frame and going with an 8 spd trans and maybe re-tweeking the rear end ratio a little for lower engine RPMs might have accomplished the same MPG results while not compromising performance? Hell I don't know. Just throwing it out there.
For the record the only thing aluminum on the new f150 is the skin, frame remains steel and it's heavier frame than the 2014.
............Then Ford will start using aluminum frames for the '016 F150s?
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.
.........Not a corrosion expert. But regardless of frame material whether steel or aluminum, there are coatings that can be applied underneath to the frame that combat severe conditions.
The only downside that I've heard is, is that when an aluminum frame has been damaged in an accident the costs are up vs the steel frame. Secondly, most collision shops are not equipped to handle repairing aluminum frames because a completely seperate and closed off area must be used so that the aluminum material is not compromised or contaminated by any steel fragments.
Also, quite an investment by the collision shops will be needed to fix aluminum frames if they choose to. A specially equipped re-tooled for aluminum shop must be used.
All of the above per Jerry Reynolds the car pro USA guy on the AM radio that I listen to once in awhile.
I can understand why Ford now uses the aluminum frame for the F150. To lighten up the truck for better MPG. Maybe keeping the steel frame and going with an 8 spd trans and maybe re-tweeking the rear end ratio a little for lower engine RPMs might have accomplished the same MPG results while not compromising performance? Hell I don't know. Just throwing it out there.
For the record the only thing aluminum on the new f150 is the skin, frame remains steel and it's heavier frame than the 2014.
............Then Ford will start using aluminum frames for the '016 F150s?
I think the steel vs aluminum chevrolet commercial is pretty humorous considering GM's most powerful line-up uses composites with aluminum frames. I guess the advertising gang doesn't think things through really well... or maybe they know exactly what they're doing. Introducing doubt that few will think past.
FWIW, I've done insurance quotes on a 2015 GMC and a 2015 F150 with like features and the F150 was indeed cheaper by a few dollars.
Tzone, correct. My 2004 F150 had an aluminum hood.
Opinions are like ass holes everybodys got one.....I think the new F150 is the ugliest truck on the road....That new front end is hideous. and the rear is not much better....but its made out of Aluminum.
“When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
Opinions are like ass holes everybodys got one.....I think the new F150 is the ugliest truck on the road....That new front end is hideous. and the rear is not much better....but its made out of Aluminum.
Very true about opinions, the '15 is the only body style I like, no way could buy an older one. Glad we are both happy, that's all that matters
I bought a '14 based on the $$ and the fact that the '15 is new. I know the running gear is much the same, but I stay away from new/greatly changed models for the first year or two. I'll definitely look at F-150s next time, just like all the rest, and buy the one that best fits my needs.
Mercy ceases to be a virtue when it enables further injustice. -Brent Weeks
run al hulls in salt water for quite a few years now... take to the carwash when done, although I can't get under the poly on the bottom of the hull.
Have seen no issues so far. Been doing this a bit over 10 years now IIRC.
If that won't tell how durable aluminum is in a salt environment, nothing will.
When people face the possibility of freezing or starving there is little chance they are going to listen to unfounded claims of climate doomsday from a bunch of ultra-rich yacht sailing private jet-setting carbon-spewing hypocrite elites
The 15 is nice... I just don't like the front end, maybe it will grow on me. I trade every 2 years and I will buy a Ford the next time also...I just could not pass up the deal on the 14.
“When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
I bought a '14 based on the $$ and the fact that the '15 is new. I know the running gear is much the same, but I stay away from new/greatly changed models for the first year or two. I'll definitely look at F-150s next time, just like all the rest, and buy the one that best fits my needs.
I did the same, after I looked over the new 2015 models when they arrived at my Dealer.
And I saved almost $14K off of the price of my new 2014 Platinum 4X4 SuperCrew F-150.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
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.
If that won't tell how durable aluminum is in a salt environment, nothing will.
Take one of our carrier based warplanes and remove all the corrosion mitigation measures (galvanic, surface attack, etc) from the skins and substructure and see how durable aluminum is in a maritime environment. Crevice corrosion alone would be off the charts. Certainly an extreme case but shows its use in a saline environment has to be vetted thoroughly.
Quote: Aluminum blocks, heads, radiators, are all junk IMO...
Based on?
Chevy Vega engine blocks in particular. Replaced them like bananas - in bunches. Had Vegas lined up behind the dealership waiting because we could not get replacement short blocks in fast enough. Also saw my share of aluminum radiators junked and if you overheat an aluminum head, it was scrap metal. At least cast iron heads that crack due to overheating can be repaired. Worked at a Diesel shop that specialized in repairing those. Have seen warped aluminum valve body assemblies in automatic transmissions cause a problem, but not often. Give me iron. Actually my brother-in-law says drinking from aluminum cans is not good for a person, so I may need to rescind my approval of it for beer cans
