The Aluminum Pickup Truck

[P.C.]

Ford will soon introduce its next generation of Ford F-150, which will make extensive use of aluminum in bodypanels, etc. Weight savings would be in the range of several hundred lbs., with a resultant significant fuel economy gain. This should tie in nicely Ford's smaller displacement turboed Ecoboost engines now available in the current F-150.

Pickup owners are not typically a technically adventurous bunch, with tough steel-bodied, cast-iron V8-engined models as their conveyance of preference. Do you foresee any backlash from prospective pickup truck buyers faced with the prospect of an aluminum-bodied turbo V6 powered replacement for their trusty 5.4 V8-engined F-150? Will loyal Ford owners flee to Rams and Silverados in droves?

[Mölyapina]

I question how much of the F150's market is made up of traditional pickup owners, and there is a crowd in there who will ONLY buy a Chevy/Ford/Dodge that will probably buy Ford no matter what happens.

Wonder what the panZZer would say...

[Aquaticedge]

I'd drive it. I've seen some designs supposidly of the truck, it looks nice and hopefully it'd perform well, I look forward to seeing them on the road,

[iwrock]

Originally Posted by P.C.

Ford will soon introduce its next generation of Ford F-150, which will make extensive use of aluminum in bodypanels, etc. Weight savings would be in the range of several hundred lbs., with a resultant significant fuel economy gain. This should tie in nicely Ford's smaller displacement turboed Ecoboost engines now available in the current F-150.

Pickup owners are not typically a technically adventurous bunch, with tough steel-bodied, cast-iron V8-engined models as their conveyance of preference. Do you foresee any backlash from prospective pickup truck buyers faced with the prospect of an aluminum-bodied turbo V6 powered replacement for their trusty 5.4 V8-engined F-150? Will loyal Ford owners flee to Rams and Silverados in droves?

The 5.4 wasn't the best of engines - had problems with something in the valvetrain that causes a knocking sound. IIRC, Ford replaced this engine with the Coyote 5.0 in '12 or '13.

As far as the changes to the build of the truck, I doubt the use of aluminum or change in weight will really make more people buy an F150, but if the economy gets better, especially with the Ecoboost engine, I do see more buyers flocking to the F150.

[MTI]

It assumes that new truck buyers are all traditionalist, which I would be surprised if true. Otherwise, they would all look, drive and perform like they did in the 1950's.

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by MTI

It assumes that new truck buyers are all traditionalist, which I would be surprised if true. Otherwise, they would all look, drive and perform like they did in the 1950's.

I'm still pissed I can't get a 3 on a tree.

[P.C.]

I'm wondering if the perceived fragility of aluminum as compared to steel will be of a concern to prospective buyers.

[iwrock]

Originally Posted by P.C.

I'm wondering if the perceived fragility of aluminum as compared to steel will be of a concern to prospective buyers.

Doubtful. Think average-joe-contractor.

Most of the people I talk to are more scared of powertrain changes than structural changes...

"Ford switched to a 100% boxed frame" - really, what's that mean?
"GMC uses a hydroformed frame" - really, what's that mean?


People don't know/don't care about thus kind of stuff. They are more aware of "8 speed automatic with a new diesel in the Ram?!?!" or "Bigger engine in the Silverado, won't that kill mileage?"....

[Hatterasguy]

I'd be worried about the bed getting trashed, aluminum is soft.

Why does Ford need aluminum what GM can do with steel?

[JB3]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I'd be worried about the bed getting trashed, aluminum is soft.

Why does Ford need aluminum what GM can do with steel?

Its probably some aluminum alloy and pretty durable.

Honestly, I'm waiting to put my money down on the first truck body built by rubbermaid. Let's see a steel or aluminum body shrug off a hit with a sledge hammer the same way a plastic trash can will. I actually managed to crack the body? No problem, where's my drill and package of zip ties.

Scratch? No problem, my dark grey matte truck is plastic pigmented, not painted, and can never ever rust

[elchivito]

Originally Posted by JB3

Its probably some aluminum alloy and pretty durable.

Honestly, I'm waiting to put my money down on the first truck body built by rubbermaid. Let's see a steel or aluminum body shrug off a hit with a sledge hammer the same way a plastic trash can will. I actually managed to crack the body? No problem, where's my drill and package of zip ties.

Scratch? No problem, my dark grey matte truck is plastic pigmented, not painted, and can never ever rust

Seems like a good idea but it'd imagine not easy to pull off. I had a big Rubbermaid cross bed tool box in my Ford. After a couple of AZ summers the lid was so warped it wouldn't close. It's a water trough now.
Didn't Saturns originally have some sort of composite body panels?

[oldsinner111]

I'd perfer a cast iron engine for a truck,something that could get warm towing that would not warp.As far as body,its about time.However want my steel frame.

[iwrock]

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

I'd perfer a cast iron engine for a truck,something that could get warm towing that would not warp.As far as body,its about time.However want my steel frame.

Cast iron is a dinosaur, especially in modern cars/trucks.

The Duramax is an iron block and has aluminum heads. People were scared of them warping over time, but they have withstood the test of time!

IIRC, the VM motori diesel in the Ram 1500 is going to use aluminum heads as well.

Hell, Ford is using a compressed graphite-iron for the block in the 6.7 with aluminum heads and in stock form, and it performs better than the old 7.3/6.0 cast iron monsters they once used.

[rscurtis]

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

I'd perfer a cast iron engine for a truck,something that could get warm towing that would not warp.As far as body,its about time.However want my steel frame.

Good luck with that. There's only one left- the 6.7 Cummins.

[MTI]

I wonder what percentage of the pickups are fleet sales, and that's where the fuel economy numbers, along with payload and MTBF gets attention.