Chevy Pokes Fun at Ford Aluminum Truck

[fordmantpw]

Fail, that's a Dodge, not a Ford... Compare the taillights:
Dodge taillight:

Ford Taillight:


:laughing:

Aaron Z

Actually, it's a GM product. They are the only ones with amber-colored turn signals.

 

[HHR]

Actually, it's a GM product. They are the only ones with amber-colored turn signals.

Actually it's none of the above. Notice no bumper below the tailgate? Looks to be a Chinese made toyota knockoff type of truck.

 

[HHR]

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/trailers-transportation/432341-chevy-pokes-fun-ford-aluminum-fords-jpg"/>

When was the last time you saw those old fashioned tailgate latches?

 

[fordmantpw]

Actually it's none of the above. Notice no bumper below the tailgate? Looks to be a Chinese made toyota knockoff type of truck.

When was the last time you saw those old fashioned tailgate latches?

Good catch! I was focusing on the tail lights and completely missed the bumper and latches.

 

[TomSeller]

A new meaning to tailgating.

 

[Billrog]

With all this aluminum talk it's my understanding that some Kabota tractors have aluminum transmission housings. It was pointed out to me in a dealer ship so we tried a magnet and it wouldn't stick. I never took note of the year or model but I'll bet there's gong to be a few owners giving it a try now.

 

[aczlan]

Deere has some housings that are made of Aluminum as well. If done right, it shouldn't be a problem.

Aaron Z

 

[oldpilgrim]

1914 Model T with aluminum hood:

Henry Ford made the hoods on his Model T's from aluminum from 1908 thru 1914, then he went to steel. I think many of his earlier cars used aluminum hoods as well.

Why? Two reasons, steel was cheaper and paint didn't stick as well to the aluminum as steel without an etching process, which was another cost.

I never knew why he used aluminum in only the hoods.

 

[DarkBlack]

Altho some aluminum is stronger than some steel, no aluminum is as stiff as any steel. Stiffness increases with the cube of thickness however - so the aluminum panels are made a little thicker to make them as stiff as a steel panel.
larry

Stiffness increases simply with thickness, cubed or not. I think you meant to say something else.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Altho some aluminum is stronger than some steel, no aluminum is as stiff as any steel. Stiffness increases with the cube of thickness however - so the aluminum panels are made a little thicker to make them as stiff as a steel panel.
larry

I guess you are trying to say that steel has a higher modulus of elasticity (E) than aluminum. True but I'm pretty sure they increase the thickness of the aluminum to match the tensile stiffness (EA) of steel (thickness inversely proportional to modulus). The bending stiffness (EI) of the aluminum panel will then be greater than the bending stiffness of the steel panel due to cube function you mention when calculating moment of inertia (I).

Edit, I looked up some numbers and the weight will stay about the same if you match tensile stiffness. Steel modulus and density are both about 3x that of aluminum. An aluminum panel as I described above would be the same weight as a steel panel but 3x as stiff in bending. They must be shooting for something in the middle if they are saving weight.

Of course they could be shooting for a yield strength value which becomes much more complicated as yield strength of both materials can vary widely based on alloy and temper.