Kudos to Ford

[Valkorado]

For thinking outside the box.

Some of the die hard pickumup fans scoffed at the aluminum framed Fords.  Looks like the F-150 was the only 2016 truck that earned Larry and Vince's thumbs up.   

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/news/industry-news/aluminum-bodied-ford-f-150-gets-highest-rating-in-crash-tests/article29604604/

[Chrisj CMA]

For thinking outside the box.

Some of the die hard pickumup fans scoffed at the aluminum framed Fords.  Looks like the F-150 was the only 2016 truck that earned Larry and Vince's thumbs up.   

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/news/industry-news/aluminum-bodied-ford-f-150-gets-highest-rating-in-crash-tests/article29604604/

Aluminum body.  High strength steel frame

[Patrick]

The concern is how the body will hold up through the northern winters. The body sheet gauge can be much heavier making for a very strong structure.
Those I have talked with that own them like them.
I like the fact this has put quite a few folks to work here in NYS.

[Valkorado]

For thinking outside the box.

Some of the die hard pickumup fans scoffed at the aluminum framed Fords.  Looks like the F-150 was the only 2016 truck that earned Larry and Vince's thumbs up.   

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/news/industry-news/aluminum-bodied-ford-f-150-gets-highest-rating-in-crash-tests/article29604604/

Aluminum body.  High strength steel frame

My bad.  Still pretty impressive for an aluminum body.

[BF]

The concern is how the body will hold up through the northern winters. The body sheet gauge can be much heavier making for a very strong structure.
Those I have talked with that own them like them.
I like the fact this has put quite a few folks to work here in NYS.

It's the same aluminum that the military uses on aircraft.  the military's aircraft routinely fly at altitudes where the temp is -65. 

I'm pretty sure a new F150 isn't gonna get that cold around here. 

[cookiedough]

crash tests mean very little to me when considering purchasing a truck, except when it comes to paying for insurance since guessing better safety crash tests mean lower insurance premiums.

However, crash tests are on the bottom of the totem pole when considering a truck.  reliabliity and resale and price and function over form is what I look for.

I am still in the market just snooping around for a new truck and was highly considering the Ram 1500 crew cab 6'4" bed but after looking at over 8 grand depreciation over my purchase price ONLY in 1 year, not liking it one bit now as compared to my 2 year old tundra loosing 4-5 grand over purchase price. 

[Patrick]

If one just 'plays' with the body panels on the new Ford they will notice the difference.
Panels on other vehicles are so thin only the paint keeps you from seeing thru the metal, not so the Ford.
I'm still concerned how they will hold up thru the northern winters.




Not to start an argument, I've mentioned this before, I've owned a Tundra, I prefer my Dodge any day.

[Daycruiser]

My F150 is the last one before the Aluminum came out but somebody told me that the new F150 body is very expensive to fix since you can't treat it the same way as steel.  If that's true that would have to play into insurance premiums I would think.

[PJR]

I'm with Daycruiser on this one. Repairing/replacing aluminum body parts, much more difficult than steel.
Body shops while need different skill set, and equipment.

[big d]

I traded in my 2005 F250 diesel extra cab for a 2016 F150 crew cab and love it. Got a good trade in value and a great price on the new one. Insurance is only a couple bucks more due to it being new. No major cost increase with the new one. And now j.d. Powers gave the f series pick top honors for cost to own of all pick up trucks, not to mention it is the number 1 selling pick up truck in America for 39 straight years in a row.

[cookiedough]

If one just 'plays' with the body panels on the new Ford they will notice the difference.
Panels on other vehicles are so thin only the paint keeps you from seeing thru the metal, not so the Ford.
I'm still concerned how they will hold up thru the northern winters.




Not to start an argument, I've mentioned this before, I've owned a Tundra, I prefer my Dodge any day.

No argument at all, everyone has their best trucks and for certain reasons.  The dodge ram crew cab has more 'creature comforts' and rides better than my tundra and will get 2-3 more mpg as well.  Just stating a fact, at least in my area,  the dodge crew cab depreciates after first year 8k+ off purchase price vs. my tundra 2-3 grand in same 1 year off purchase price.  If wanting to trade for a new truck every 3-4 years,  the tundra, if happy with it,  is a better value cost dollar wise than the dodge ram.  Now, if going to keep a dodge ram for say 10 years plus or until it clunks out,  who cares since will be worth very litte with well over 100K miles on it. 

I wouldn't have considered,  which I still am a dodge ram crew cab, but depreciation/resale is in my head, since it is a very nice truck indeed,  same power as my tundra both 5.7L V8's and more creature comforts if willing to pay for them.    The dodge dealer I am in touch with wants my tundra used being 2 years old 24K miles since has a buyer lined up for it ASAP willing to give me ONLY 2500-3K less than what I paid for it 2 years ago, thus highly considering switching to a dodge crew cab msrp 46.4K, purchase price 39.3K, but depreciation is 8-9 grand in only 1 year being 30-31K tops off purchase price. 

Back on topic,  is good to know if the ford f150 if in your purchasing decision that insurance might not be as high as once thought on an aluminum body truck.    Weight savings is a good thing for fuel mileage if doesn't sacrifice safety which it appears the ford f150 has not sacrificed. 

[Gavin_Sons]

I have an 05 tundra SR5 4 door that I bought brand new. Just turned over 200k miles friday. Been looking at new fords, chevys, and rams along with new Tundras. I really like the high country chevy but do not like chevy vehicles because our traverse was a piece of crap. I'm leaning toward another Tundra because I habe had 0 problems with my old one.  If I can get another 100k out of mine, which I should be able to no problem since it still runs great, I'll be a happy camper. I also like those new fords with the aluminum body. Can I get it anodized in blue?

[Patrick]

Can I get it anodized in blue?

end quote




   That would be nice.   

[Rams]

The concern is how the body will hold up through the northern winters. The body sheet gauge can be much heavier making for a very strong structure.
Those I have talked with that own them like them.
I like the fact this has put quite a few folks to work here in NYS.

It's the same aluminum that the military uses on aircraft.  the military's aircraft routinely fly at altitudes where the temp is -65.  

I'm pretty sure a new F150 isn't gonna get that cold around here.  

Corrosion has very little(if anything) to do with temperature.    Though dis-similar metals will instigate issues but, I have to assume Ferd addressed that issue.    Hard to say, only time will tell.

I'm not a Ford man but, do appreciate what Ford is attempting to do.    Most (all) other vehicles rust out with in a few years, especially those north of the Ohio River where they use truck loads of salt.    The new Ford bodies will do a better job of keeping more Ford trucks on the road for a longer time frame, this assumes those trucks aren't wrecked and the cost of repairs doesn't destine them to the recycle yard.

[T.P.]

I have had my 2015 F-150 crew cab since Feb 2 2015.  Love It!  not a single issue to date. 
385 hp 5.0 4x4 6.5 box. Bonze Fire

  T.P.

[Valkorado]

I'm thinking it could be my next truck, but it's more than just cold around here in the winter months (we see -40F).  I'll have to keep an eye on the cold climate reviews for a few years.  Maybe by then I can find a used one with 50k or so on the clock.

[T.P.]

I'm thinking it could be my next truck, but it's more than just cold around here in the winter months (we see -40F).  I'll have to keep an eye on the cold climate reviews for a few years.  Maybe by then I can find a used one with 50k or so on the clock.

Do you really think you guys get colder then Minnesota ?      T.P.

[Valkorado]

I'm thinking it could be my next truck, but it's more than just cold around here in the winter months (we see -40F).  I'll have to keep an eye on the cold climate reviews for a few years.  Maybe by then I can find a used one with 50k or so on the clock.

Do you really think you guys get colder then Minnesota ?      T.P.

No pissing contest here, T.P.!  Ours would be frozen icicles.

[Rams]

In discussing the cold, may I presume the issue is with starting and engine/cooling/heating issues?

It surely can't be due to body/frame issues, if so, please  enlighten me as to what the cold or temp has to do with it?

[Patrick]

If the cold worries is because of my post about the northern states, my concern is corrosion.

[Valkorado]

If the cold worries is because of my post about the northern states, my concern is corrosion.

Yep, brine road treatment and no operational car wash in the coldest months 'round here.  They'll probably hold up as good or better than their steel counterparts.  Time will tell.

[Robert]

Can less be more? Audi ultra lightweight technology uses advanced material and construction methods that allow our cars to be lighter. Lightweight design means the minimum material in the right place for the best performance. Proof that less is definitely more.

https://www.audiusa.com/technology/efficiency/ultra

Ford is well designed but did not do anything that was not done before. Audi and some other mfgs already have had aluminum for years some with full unibody construction. Corrosion is generally not an issue repair is more costly but starting to come in line with steel. Ford still has a steel chassis which means its only body panels and cab that are aluminum. Ford has come out with some good products over the years that is why they didnt go bankrupt on the tanking economy and paid back the gov.

[Hoser]

I got this Ranger cheap, turned out to be my favorite truck, v/6 4 liter engine, lots of power, 4x4, pulls a heavy load.  It has all the bells and whistles too. 300 miles to a tank of gas, pulling a loaded 16 foot    trailer full of mowers.  Hoser

[Valkorado]

I got this Ranger cheap, turned out to be my favorite truck, v/6 4 liter engine, lots of power, 4x4, pulls a heavy load.  It has all the bells and whistles too. 300 miles to a tank of gas, pulling a loaded 16 foot    trailer full of mowers.  Hoser
http://s617.photobucket.com/user/jrlord/library/?sort=3&page=1

Same truck and engine as mine!  I've got a 2002 with the manual transmission.  I do like the power, but it is old and recently started losing clutch (DOT3) fluid.  I'm having to top off the level every so often.  Need to get it in to a shop, I'm hoping it's a cracked line or something inexpensive.

[Rams]

I got this Ranger cheap, turned out to be my favorite truck, v/6 4 liter engine, lots of power, 4x4, pulls a heavy load.  It has all the bells and whistles too. 300 miles to a tank of gas, pulling a loaded 16 foot    trailer full of mowers.  Hoser
http://s617.photobucket.com/user/jrlord/library/?sort=3&page=1

Same truck and engine as mine!  I've got a 2002 with the manual transmission.  I do like the power, but it is old and recently started losing clutch (DOT3) fluid.  I'm having to top off the level every so often.  Need to get it in to a shop, I'm hoping it's a cracked line or something inexpensive.

Based on what you said and what I've experienced, my guess would be a slave cylinder is leaking, not super expensive but, that depends on who does it and if it needs a new clutch while you're in there............

[Reb]

Not bashing truck brands here. I offer no favorites to Chrysler, Ford, or GM

But, I believe General Motors approached the same aluminum distributer for Ford (Alcoa) wishing to produce aluminum paneling on their line up of Silverado's and Sierra trucks.

Unfortunately the demand was too high for Alcoa to take on another partner.

So General Motors used the "high strength steel" slogan in response to Fords innovations.

I guarantee GM and Chrysler will be on the Ford bandwagon in the future.




http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/02/gm-to-produce-aluminum-body-pickups-secures-alcoa-and-novelis/

[The emperor has no clothes]

Can less be more? Audi ultra lightweight technology uses advanced material and construction methods that allow our cars to be lighter. Lightweight design means the minimum material in the right place for the best performance. Proof that less is definitely more.

https://www.audiusa.com/technology/efficiency/ultra

Ford is well designed but did not do anything that was not done before. Audi and some other mfgs already have had aluminum for years some with full unibody construction. Corrosion is generally not an issue repair is more costly but starting to come in line with steel. Ford still has a steel chassis which means its only body panels and cab that are aluminum. Ford has come out with some good products over the years that is why they didnt go bankrupt on the tanking economy and paid back the gov.

I thought they didn't take any government money to begin with ?

[Patrick]

Can less be more? Audi ultra lightweight technology uses advanced material and construction methods that allow our cars to be lighter. Lightweight design means the minimum material in the right place for the best performance. Proof that less is definitely more.

https://www.audiusa.com/technology/efficiency/ultra

Ford is well designed but did not do anything that was not done before. Audi and some other mfgs already have had aluminum for years some with full unibody construction. Corrosion is generally not an issue repair is more costly but starting to come in line with steel. Ford still has a steel chassis which means its only body panels and cab that are aluminum. Ford has come out with some good products over the years that is why they didnt go bankrupt on the tanking economy and paid back the gov.

I thought they didn't take any government money to begin with ?

We talked about this before. Ford was shrewd. They took the money a bit later as a loan, and, they paid it back.

[Robert]

Can less be more? Audi ultra lightweight technology uses advanced material and construction methods that allow our cars to be lighter. Lightweight design means the minimum material in the right place for the best performance. Proof that less is definitely more.

https://www.audiusa.com/technology/efficiency/ultra

Ford is well designed but did not do anything that was not done before. Audi and some other mfgs already have had aluminum for years some with full unibody construction. Corrosion is generally not an issue repair is more costly but starting to come in line with steel. Ford still has a steel chassis which means its only body panels and cab that are aluminum. Ford has come out with some good products over the years that is why they didnt go bankrupt on the tanking economy and paid back the gov.

I thought they didn't take any government money to begin with ?

http://www.factcheck.org/2011/09/ford-motor-co-does-u-turn-on-bailouts/
This is a interesting article on Ford and the fact that they actually lobbied for the bail out.

But this is really what Ford's Bailout Proposal looked like

Ford requested a $9 billion line-of-credit from the government, and a $5 billion loan from the Energy Department. It pledged to accelerate development of both hybrid and battery-powered vehicles, retool plants to increase production of smaller cars, close dealerships, and sell Volvo. Ford is in better shape than the other two because it had already mortgaged its assets in 2006 to raise $24.5 billion.