Aluminum vs Steel truck bodies

[newbury]

Now that Ford has had about 10 years putting their F150 and Superduty in the field how are they working out for for the TBN'ers?
I was skeptical at first, thinking they would damage easily. Now I'm wondering why more manufacturers have not gone to Al.
Coming from Northern Vermont where rust is KING it seems that rust free would be very important.

 

[nybirdman]

Aluminum corrodes when exposed to salt,no free lunch.

 

[Tomtint]

Im in Mass, Have a 18 F450 1 ton dump that goes out in awful weather plowing and salting. The body still looks like new, But the truck is on its 3rd set of calibers, rotors and pads, 2nd set of shocks, 4TH ..yes 4th set of manifolds, 2nd set of heads.. ( complete ) 2nd set of transmission lines, 2nd set of power steering lines, 2 times blasted and painted chassis, 2nd time being fluid filmed.. But the body still looks great..

 

[Racer4]

My 17 f250 is holding up well. I just had the frame coated with NHOU a few months ago. The welds and holes in the frame were starting to rust. The body is great. I think it was wise of ford to invest in aluminum body manufacturing. Now, if they would just hot dip the whole frame.

 

[WinterDeere]

Aluminum corrodes when exposed to salt,no free lunch.

All true, anyone who owned a boat built in the days before 316 stainless steel was cheap and ubiquitous (i.e. 1950's - 1980's) is too familiar with this problem. But the question is really how the aluminum compares to steel, when welded and riveted into a frame assembly, and then coated with whatever corrosion inhibitors or passivation they're using today. I don't have the answer, but it's surely more complex than raw steel versus raw aluminum.

 

[deserteagle71]

A few months ago I watched a YouTube video from back in the rust belt someplace, where the roads were extensively salted every winter, addressing just this question. They brought in several examples from Ford, GM, Ram and Toyota, all about 8 - 9 years old and compared the body integrity. The conclusion was clear. All of the Fords with aluminum body were essentially pristine. All the others had varying degrees of rust - some were rusted through in the wheel wells.

Automakers are paying attention...I've read that other manufacturers other Ford are adding aluminum body panels also. Not positive but I think I remember reading that new GM pickups have aluminum doors and hoods.

 

[WM75Guy]

A few months ago I watched a YouTube video from back in the rust belt someplace, where the roads were extensively salted every winter, addressing just this question. They brought in several examples from Ford, GM, Ram and Toyota, all about 8 - 9 years old and compared the body integrity. The conclusion was clear. All of the Fords with aluminum body were essentially pristine. All the others had varying degrees of rust - some were rusted through in the wheel wells.

Automakers are paying attention...I've read that other manufacturers other Ford are adding aluminum body panels also. Not positive but I think I remember reading that new GM pickups have aluminum doors and hoods.

You are correct on GM vehicles having aluminum doors and hoods. The salesman explained it as "If it has a hinge attached to it, it is aluminum."

 

[WinterDeere]

"If it has a hinge attached to it, it is aluminum."

Gas filler door?

 

[newbury]

I still have a vivid memory of one of the first Chevy Vega's I saw in northern Vermont in about 1972. The vehicle was about 1 year old and had a rust hole eaten through the passenger door big enough to stick my hand through.

 

[jyoutz]

I still have a vivid memory of one of the first Chevy Vega's I saw in northern Vermont in about 1972. The vehicle was about 1 year old and had a rust hole eaten through the passenger door big enough to stick my hand through.

Vegas have to be among the worst cars ever produced in the U.S.