jpd80 Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 This seems too risky and expensive, especially if Aluminum isn't a stable commodity like steel. The world market is flooded with Aluminum, there's way too many plants producing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 The original WSJ article states that Ford is going to use steel frame. Alumnimum body panels, steering and suspension parts, and perhaps the cab safety cell. It's not something new or crazy. Some Fords already have aluminum hoods... The only thing that changed is that weight reduction on fullsize truck is now a design consideration, whereas before the new CAFE, it was an afterthought. Did anyone actually read the article? :reading: Yes, I read the article.... I asked the question to get the topic back on point., too many were going off on tangents... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blksn8k2 Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 The last gen Sport Trac had an aluminum hood and the entire outer bed with the exception of the tailgate was SMC. If they can figure out a way to lighten the F-150's frame without losing strength I don't see 700 lbs as being impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 The last gen Sport Trac had an aluminum hood and the entire outer bed with the exception of the tailgate was SMC. If they can figure out a way to lighten the F-150's frame without losing strength I don't see 700 lbs as being impossible. The current F150 (and Expedition I think) has an Al hood, and the flair-side bed on F150's from '97-'08 (I think '08 was the last year for it) was made of SMC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcthorne Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 This is not Ford's first rodeo with aluminum body panels. Many hoods have been aluminum as well as the entire Ford GT body (except the hood strangly enough). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bored of Pisteon Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 (edited) Lincoln Town Cars have aluminum hoods... But to make suspension parts out of aluminum? That's a real big risk involved. Edited July 31, 2012 by Bored of Pisteon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Lincoln Town Cars have aluminum hoods... But to make suspension parts out of aluminum? That's a real big risk involved. I beleive they already do, in lower stress areas.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I believe when I had either the Mark8, or Mustang, the hood was plastic composite, or some other material that wasn't steel only because when I had sex on the hood and it snapped/cracked right on my back (luckily I was still clothed), try explaining that to the repair shop... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildosvt Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 I beleive they already do, in lower stress areas.... A control arm is a low stress location? Raptor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 A control arm is a low stress location? Raptor well, there ya go then...I would say then YES it will ( lol ) be used.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Lincoln Town Cars have aluminum hoods... But to make suspension parts out of aluminum? That's a real big risk involved. The Lincoln LS suspension was mostly aluminum - upper and lower control arms included. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bored of Pisteon Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 How much does that part weigh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonM Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 This seems too risky and expensive, especially if Aluminum isn't a stable commodity like steel. I agree with that great automotive prognosticator BORG on this one, this is WAY too risky, no way Ford will EVER be able to deliver an aluminum F-150, let alone do it at a profit! Who are they kidding? On a different topic, how were the first quarter earnings today ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4d4evr-1 Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 I agree with that great automotive prognosticator BORG on this one, this is WAY too risky, no way Ford will EVER be able to deliver an aluminum F-150, let alone do it at a profit! Who are they kidding? On a different topic, how were the first quarter earnings today ? hehehehehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 Well, get ready for part two later this year when Super Duty switches over, the profit level in those bigger trucks is huge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 I agree with that great automotive prognosticator BORG Time makes fools of us all. I've been wrong often enough. I think we all have. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 Paul the octopus had a better strike rate than me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2005Explorer Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 (edited) Time makes fools of us all. I've been wrong often enough. I think we all have. Well you thought I was being very pessimistic about this whole thing, but I was just playing devil's advocate. Now look who's driving one of these aluminum beasts... Me. Edited May 7, 2016 by 2005Explorer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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