FordBuyer Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Click here: Ford Plans New F-150 Pickup Truck With Aluminum Body - WSJ.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Hmm should be interesting...I don't see an issue with skins being aluminium, but you do have corrosion issues with it mounted against steel.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Queue all the Al haters (or those that think they know what real truck use is like): oh no, it just won't hold up in truck duty! If they can eliminate 700 lbs by just switching the body to aluminum (which I seriously doubt), then I say bring it on...as long as costs are kept mostly in check. With the Al use in the past, I'm sure they will work out any corrosion issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transitman Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 (edited) Could an improved and re-enforced carbon fiber be far off for compacts and mid size cars? Edited July 26, 2012 by transitman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Could an improved carbon fiber be far off for compacts and mid size cars? Way too expensive and easy to damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bored of Pisteon Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Way too expensive and easy to damage. You look at the scrap prices aluminum is bring in compared to steel and you can see why they're planning on it. Lighter overall, but more expensive. I'm sure they'll be more than just a few suckers out there buying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 You look at the scrap prices aluminum is bring in compared to steel and you can see why they're planning on it. Lighter overall, but more expensive. I'm sure they'll be more than just a few suckers out there buying. But also the costs are going to be spread out over 300K+ (F150) units....I'm sure that is going to drop the price a bit vs luxury makes that are lucky to sell 1/10 of that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bored of Pisteon Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 It would have to be engineered to not self-destruct over a few years time due to poor planning and design. If Ford would look to AIRSTREAM for an example on how to make a vehicle (trailer) out of aluminum. That's who they should consult with as Airstream has been around for many decades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted July 26, 2012 Author Share Posted July 26, 2012 But also the costs are going to be spread out over 300K+ (F150) units....I'm sure that is going to drop the price a bit vs luxury makes that are lucky to sell 1/10 of that... Ford does have some experience with aluminum as with Jaguar, and the AC Cobras were aluminum. Much smaller scale, but Ford did figure out how to use aluminum on Jaguar bodies and learned how to use adhesives in connecting it to chassis not very long ago. Other auto companies are already using aluminum body parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 It would have to be engineered to not self-destruct over a few years time due to poor planning and design. Thanks captain obvious! If Ford would look to AIRSTREAM for an example on how to make a vehicle (trailer) out of aluminum. That's who they should consult with as Airstream has been around for many decades. Only if Ford can get away with charging double for the F150 as GM and Ram do for their pickups... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Ford does have some experience with aluminum as with Jaguar, and the AC Cobras were aluminum. Much smaller scale, but Ford did figure out how to use aluminum on Jaguar bodies and learned how to use adhesives in connecting it to chassis not very long ago. Other auto companies are already using aluminum body parts. Most of that work was done by Jaguar and their brilliant line manager, his name escapes me.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 It would have to be engineered to not self-destruct over a few years time due to poor planning and design. If Ford would look to AIRSTREAM for an example on how to make a vehicle (trailer) out of aluminum. That's who they should consult with as Airstream has been around for many decades. Almost sounds like you want Ford to fail so you can be proven right...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballfan Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Sounds like an gimmick to me. The have been trying aluminum for decades and have never found a way to mass produce aluminum body vehichles cost effectively for a mainstream vehiche. If Ford uses it, I do not see it being used for such areas like pickup boxes and inner panels. GM is supposedly cutting a lot of weight out of its next-gen pickups by using cost-effective high-strength steel. Let's be honest- is MPG the first priority when buying truck? I do not think the average truck buyer will spend a few thousand more to have a truck that is made of aluminum. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 (edited) Holy crap, if true. Holy crap. This puts EB right out the window as far as investments go, and would explain the delay in launching it. But, again, holy crap. If you're Toyota or Nissan, this just pretty much kills your pickups. If you're GM and Chrysler, this is Ford taking a billion dollars out of your future PD funds and forcing you to spend it on your pickups. If Ford goes aluminum with the F150 and it works, GM and Chrysler will have to copy Ford, and Nissan and Toyota will probably have to leave the market or pony up a huge chunk of revenue from some other vehicle line to try and keep up. Edited July 26, 2012 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 The 2000 Lincoln LS built in 99 had aluminum suspension, aluminum fenders, hood and trunk lid and I've never heard of any issues. Jaguar has been doing entire bodies in aluminum for years. I don't think it's an issue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Holy crap, if true. Holy crap. This puts EB right out the window as far as investments go, and would explain the delay in launching it. But, again, holy crap. If you're Toyota or Nissan, this just pretty much kills your pickups. If you're GM and Chrysler, this is Ford taking a billion dollars out of your future PD funds and forcing you to spend it on your pickups. If Ford goes aluminum with the F150 and it works, GM and Chrysler will have to copy Ford, and Nissan and Toyota will probably have to leave the market or pony up a huge chunk of revenue from some other vehicle line to try and keep up. Well, we have been hearing that the next F150 is going to be a radical change from what we see today. Maybe this is it? Ford has used cast aluminum in suspensions parts in the F150 before too ('04-'08 front-end...lower control arms maybe??). I think we'll see aluminum or some other light weight material in the frame and suspension as well as the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveTaurus Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Dreamliner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted July 26, 2012 Author Share Posted July 26, 2012 The 2000 Lincoln LS built in 99 had aluminum suspension, aluminum fenders, hood and trunk lid and I've never heard of any issues. Jaguar has been doing entire bodies in aluminum for years. I don't think it's an issue. You certainlly are going to see more uses of plasltics, carbon fiber, boron steel, and aluminum as time passes and auto companies look for more ways to cut weight. And it will just not be high end vehicles like Corvette, 911, Jaguar, and the like. Looks like Ford is determined to cut the weight of next F-150 by 700 pounds. I have the feeling it will be a compromise with different lighweight materials being used, not just aluminum. And most models of F-150 are premium priced and sticker prices will grow even more as time passes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 I think downsizing will also save weight. And I'm sure we'll get some new EB powertrains with start/stop that should really help fuel economy. Now cue all the "EB sucks in the F150 now" crowd......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 GM has been selling composite truck beds for years - I don't see much difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Let's be honest- is MPG the first priority when buying truck? When it comes to tighter CAFE limits, it is to Ford.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2005Explorer Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 GM has been selling composite truck beds for years - I don't see much difference. Only difference is cost. Composite is likely cheaper to produce then steel whereas aluminum is more expensive. If the competition decides to lighten using steel and Ford goes with an aluminum solution either the competition will be making more money per unit or Ford will have to charge a premium. No doubt aluminum has it's advantages in terms of weight versus strength, however it is an expensive way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 This may be a stupid question, but the next gen is supposed to be a 2015 model, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 (edited) either the competition will be making more money per unit or Ford will have to charge a premium The EB 3.5 and 32 valve 5.0L are undoubtedly more expensive to build than GM's V8s. Which company made the smart decision there? Edited July 26, 2012 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2005Explorer Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 The EB 3.5 and 32 valve 5.0L are undoubtedly more expensive to build than GM's V8s. Which company made the smart decision there? Well it's hard to know without actual engine cost figures in front of me, but your probably correct. With that said the cost difference of 2 engines could be pretty small compared to an entire aluminum body and I would think some cost would have to be passed on to the consumer. Ford does have market leadership and the economy is doing much better so possibly even if they had to charge a premium it wouldn't make much difference. Also it has been stated around here that the 2015 Expedition/Navigator will be based on these pickups if that is true then will they be aluminum bodied SUVs? Sounds neat but considering all the sheet metal surface the SUVs have it could be pretty expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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