The reality of aluminum body panels.

coobie · Feb 3, 2015

Another roadhunter involved thread that will probably be locked out.Go figure ??

jejeosborne · Feb 3, 2015

MossRoad said:
I know I'm correct. If you don't like his opinion, don't reply to his posts, and if you do reply to his posts, make sure you read what he posted before jumping down his throat. It makes you look just as one-sided as him.

You were correct in stating the OP didn't write the article. That is what I agreed with. I already knew that as well.

Cat_Driver · Feb 3, 2015

Always amazes me how people write an article and don't really realize other implications of what they are trying to prove.
I walked away reading the article and came away think "gee that's a NEGATIVE" for the owner. Then I thought about it, the aluminum panels SAVE THE OWNER thousands in not having to repair rust. Also saves the owner hundreds of dollars in fuel as the vehicle is lighter. So, rather that speaking about the MILLIONS of truck buyers that will save BILLIONS of dollars in fuel and no rust repairs, they focus on the small percentage of those MILLIONS that will get into a fender bender.
Bottom line, what Ford did was BRILLIANT, for the consumer, what the typical writer did was appalling .

JDgreen227 · Feb 3, 2015

Cat_Driver said:
Always amazes me how people write an article and don't really realize other implications of what they are trying to prove.
I walked away reading the article and came away think "gee that's a NEGATIVE" for the owner. Then I thought about it, the aluminum panels SAVE THE OWNER thousands in not having to repair rust. Also saves the owner hundreds of dollars in fuel as the vehicle is lighter. So, rather that speaking about the MILLIONS of truck buyers that will save BILLIONS of dollars in fuel and no rust repairs, they focus on the small percentage of those MILLIONS that will get into a fender bender.
Bottom line, what Ford did was BRILLIANT, for the consumer, what the typical writer did was appalling .[/QUOTe

Respectfully disagree....I in no way feel OP was brand bashing...rather, what he did was CREATE AN INTERESTING AND THOUGHT PROVOKING THREAD that made many members interested in contributing. I start a LOT of threads here myself for the same reason, some of you may not like what I have to say but my reason for starting them is to MAKE PEOPLE THINK and invite views that may or may not support my opinions, we will all LEARN from a thread that provokes strong opinions.

As the saying goes: "I have never learned anything from a man who always agreed with me...." Thanks Roadhunter....IMO YOU DONE GOOD !!!!! :thumbsup:

MossRoad · Feb 3, 2015

roadhunter said:
Please point out the insult that you claim I was slinging in my OP.

I'll give you a hint. There wasn't any. I went back and looked. You simply made that up. My post are #1, #5, #21, #25, #28, #87, #96, #97, #119. There are no insults in those posts.

From a psychological standpoint this thread is interesting. The ford boys feel this is a personal attack on the blue oval when in reality that is not what anyone said and quite frankly so many manufacturers have made aluminum body panels at this point its is clearly not a Ford issue. But they just can't get past that. Sad.

I was not referring to you when I said you. (now I sound like a politician). I was referring to several other folks. Sorry for the confusion.

TomSeller · Feb 3, 2015

riptides said:
Man, I had a car that was a magnet for collisions while parked. Once, even in a corner, all by itself. Once, while the wife and I were walking to it. Saw the whole thing right before our very eyes!
.

All the more reason for me to buy an aluminum truck, it won't be attracted to a steel "collision magnet" truck.

yellowdogsvc · Feb 3, 2015

I wonder if insurance will just go up across the board as more and more hard-to-fix vehicles enter the market. Personally, I like the idea of a lighter truck but don't relish the idea of higher repair costs or having to find a specialist that may not be convenient should I hit a deer or as has happened before, the deer hits me and smashes my front quarter panel (f350).

timswi · Feb 3, 2015

ultrarunner said:
The sheet metal on my 31 Ford Pickup is heavier than the 91 Chevrolet... also the Silverado has fiberglass rear fenders on my 91 style side...

As the current owner of 17 different manufacturer's offerings... my comment is they all have strong and weak points...

Amen to that!!!:drink:

KennyG · Feb 3, 2015

yellowdogsvc said:
I wonder if insurance will just go up across the board as more and more hard-to-fix vehicles enter the market. Personally, I like the idea of a lighter truck but don't relish the idea of higher repair costs or having to find a specialist that may not be convenient should I hit a deer or as has happened before, the deer hits me and smashes my front quarter panel (f350).

I think that ship has sailed. It seems to me vehicle repair costs have already gone up significantly with unibody, complex aero shapes, crumple zones, multiple air bags, electronics, etc. The potential increases from use of aluminum seems minor in comparison. Look at it this way - I recently saw information that indicated the traffic fatality rate has gone down by a factor of 10 in the last 60 years. Looks like a bargain.