2LaneCruzer
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They have been making fire truck bodies out of Aluminum for years with good results. Some custom auto bodies were made of Aluminum back in the 30's.
Aluminum Pick up.....
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They have been making fire truck bodies out of Aluminum for years with good results. Some custom auto bodies were made of Aluminum back in the 30's.
RoyJackson
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They still make fire truck bodies, as well as many other truck bodies in aluminum...and some cars (mostly exotics) are aluminum.
Aluminum is easier to form in smaller quantities.
As far as truck bodies...most that I have seen are riveted together and, for the most part, have little of no curvature. They're easy to assemble and easy to fix.
A car or pick up body doesn't have many flat panels...and they are (for the most part) spot-welded.
As I'd written in a previous post...aluminum will reduce weight and may reduce some manufacturing costs....but I expect it will increase the costs of repairs. In a truck body...not so tough or expensive (drill out the rivets and replace a flat panel)...in an exotic car...repair costs will be expensive, but that may not be a problem with someone who can afford the car.
ruffdog
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Aluminum is harder for the manufacturer to work with. They have to be careful of cracking during the hemming process, extreme care on the corners. Much less spot-welding and more bonding with adhesives. It is less forgiving if everything isn't perfect.
tallyho8
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RoyJackson
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And a very limited production vehicle...basically hand built. Not a very good comparison to a mass produced pickup.
2LaneCruzer
Super Member
What a beauty!
DarkBlack
Elite Member
Aluminum though old is still the "new" material. $ for $ for the same vehicle I'd welcome aluminum anyday.
Aluminum bodies will become common, (at least on trucks), because government mandates for fuel mileage, have left manufacturers no where else to turn. And, they will increase the cost of vehicles, insurance, and vehicle repairs.
As stated, there have been aluminum panels used to some degree on larger vehicles for some time.
With few exceptions, damaged aluminum panels are more difficult to fix, resulting in more panels being replaced, rather than repaired.
Replacement aluminum panels are always more expensive than steel ones. Some are really expensive.
Replacement of aluminum structural body panels, (welded stuff), is really expensive.
As far as corrosion goes, the aluminum panels corrode too. Which will also be more expensive to repair.
As stated, there have been aluminum panels used to some degree on larger vehicles for some time.
With few exceptions, damaged aluminum panels are more difficult to fix, resulting in more panels being replaced, rather than repaired.
Replacement aluminum panels are always more expensive than steel ones. Some are really expensive.
Replacement of aluminum structural body panels, (welded stuff), is really expensive.
As far as corrosion goes, the aluminum panels corrode too. Which will also be more expensive to repair.
ruffdog
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Yeah, aluminum corrodes. Ask some transmission techs up here where they use salt and other chems for the winter roads. Some are corroded so bad they just toss them. Iron T-cases outlast the aluminum ones by far.
