Aluminum Body

[Craigy]

I know they won't be doing anything just cuz I mention it, but I'd like to see a 2014 f150 take that test. At this point we will never really know how the materials compare.
Maybe somewhere behind the hype and headlines are similar test that could shed some light on this.

They talk about repair costs 2014 vs 2015 in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XkH4Ss8shE


As far as safety, the 2015 Supecrew earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick, which is given out rather sparingly because most cars don't perform well under the new small overlap test. There's no way the 2014 would earn this today, given as it wasn't designed to handle the small overlap test.

The materials don't really matter since the design is different. If they had just built the 2014 out of aluminum and called it a '15, then that would be relevant.

 

[cups]

Thanks good info. I see as a positive result. We knew a new and different material would be more expensive. I don't see this org's 25% estimate as unreasonable.

Nothing that I've heard so far (aluminum body wise) would cause me to not buy one. I still want a v8.

 

[Ruger]

"At this point we will never really know how the materials compare."
Ah. Humanity has been alloying metals since the bronze age, and at this point metallurgy is a guessing game.
Good to know.

 

[Truckzor]

Just as I thought:

"Ford's new aluminum-sided F-150 pickup saw mixed results in new crash tests by the insurance industry, and the damaged trucks cost more to repair than steel-bodied ones. In a statement, Ford said the new truck is the "safest F-150 ever" and noted that it has the government's highest five-star safety rating. But the company said it will make a design change in the 2016 model year to improve the crash performance of the Super Cab and Regular Cab models."

Ford F-150 gets mixed crash test results | Fox News

Further evidence to support the argument against buying the first model year of anything.

 

[Deleted member 12951]

Clever....

Pretty good. Like how the short disclaimer said no one was "seriously" injured. Wonder what that means....

 

[Hockster]

Its funny that they are all trying to make it look that if you drive in a aluminum vehicle you will not be safe... I hope these people dont fly in a plane!! lol

 

[Raptoe13]

i was wondering what these metal brackets behind the front wheels on my 2015 work truck were all about. Figured it was a safety feature. After I saw the crash test on the news last night it was confirmed.

 

[WHYUMAD]

Its funny that they are all trying to make it look that if you drive in a aluminum vehicle you will not be safe... I hope these people dont fly in a plane!! lol

Their argument would be "Well, how well do airplanes do in a crash?...now if they were steel..."

 

[Ruger]

Their argument would be "Well, how well do airplanes do in a crash?...now if they were steel..." ��������

********.

Ford went to aluminum for one reason and one reason only: to lower its fleet fuel economy figures to meet EPA standards. They didn't do it because it was better for the consumer, they did it because it was better for the corporation. It's evidently going to cost more to repair body damage now, and anybody who knows anything about metallurgy would have predicted that. Who does more costly repairs benefit? If it's more costly to repair, it'll be more costly to insure. Who benefits? Ford and the insurance companies. Who pays? The consumer.

---------- Post added at 09:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 AM ----------

Car and Driver article:

In-Depth with the 2015 Ford F-150's Aluminum, With an Alloy of Facts and Perspective

"On a per-pound basis, aluminum costs roughly twice as much... The bottom line, or at least the intended one, is lighter and more fuel-efficient pickup trucks. Comparing the curb weight of an F-150 we tested five years ago with the 2015 edition reveals a net weight savings of about 300 pounds. Unfortunately, the validity of such comparisons are undermined by the move to smaller and lighter engines, more lavish creature comforts, and ever-rising haul and tow ratings."

 

[WHYUMAD]

********.

Ford went to aluminum for one reason and one reason only: to lower its fleet fuel economy figures to meet EPA standards. They didn't do it because it was better for the consumer, they did it because it was better for the corporation. It's evidently going to cost more to repair body damage now, and anybody who knows anything about metallurgy would have predicted that. Who does more costly repairs benefit? If it's more costly to repair, it'll be more costly to insure. Who benefits? Ford and the insurance companies. Who pays? The consumer.

---------- Post added at 09:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 AM ----------

Car and Driver article:

In-Depth with the 2015 Ford F-150's Aluminum, With an Alloy of Facts and Perspective

"On a per-pound basis, aluminum costs roughly twice as much... The bottom line, or at least the intended one, is lighter and more fuel-efficient pickup trucks. Comparing the curb weight of an F-150 we tested five years ago with the 2015 edition reveals a net weight savings of about 300 pounds. Unfortunately, the validity of such comparisons are undermined by the move to smaller and lighter engines, more lavish creature comforts, and ever-rising haul and tow ratings."

I fully agree. I'm doing my dissertation work on friction stir welding at the NASA Michoud Facility....although I agree in an ideal world aluminum would be better than steel or in a controlled environment (no risk of accident), in this world with idiotic drivers, texting, etc. I'd stick with steel & maybe incorporate some aluminum panels in areas less critical during impact to save some weight. Use some AlLi 2195.