Aluminum vs Steel truck bodies

[KennyG]

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

It was a pretty nice design and a terrible build. I knew a guy that put a a big block V-8 in one and that was really good.

 

[dodge man]

The base F150’s have a small screen but the XLT and higher trim level have a decent size screen.

 

[WinterDeere]

The base F150’s have a small screen but the XLT and higher trim level have a decent size screen.

That may have been different ca.2016. Either that, or the local dealership had a terrible salesman, as he didn’t mention that when I criticized it.

 

[Rustyiron]

Stupid comment. I do have a car, several in fact. But they won't tow my heaviest trailer.

I also didn't like that Ford's strongest engine at the time was a 3.5L V6, whereas the RAM was standard 5.7L Hemi.

But I didn't mean to turn the thread into a useless Ford vs. Ram debate. If you like them, that's fine. I do like that they're leading the group on Aluminum bodies.

Not a brand thing at all. Just a general comment on the pussification of trucks with all the useless electronics and screens that have no business in a pickup, or at least should be an option or an "upgrade". I really don't like this even with the base level XL interior (having electronics/screen) in mine.

 

[newbury]

I also didn't like that Ford's strongest engine at the time was a 3.5L V6, whereas the RAM was standard 5.7L Hemi.

Didn't Ford offer a 6.7 diesel?

 

[Rustyiron]

@WinterDeere must have been shopping F 150's. They do have gas and diesel V-8,'s in the f250 and up.

 

[Bearsixty7]

That may have been different ca.2016. Either that, or the local dealership had a terrible salesman, as he didn’t mention that when I criticized it.

I think this is the case as for many years Ford seems to have the better "Features" and interior finish over the others, when comparing similar trim levels. Then there is the optional items that step things up even more, if you so desire.

 

[Renze]

Audi started using aluminium spaceframes on the 1994 A8 and was advertising with that.
Nowadays its no longer used as a sales argument.

Suzuki made a small family car, which they advertised being 300kg lighter than a comparable car, which should provide fuel economy benefits.

For the rest, aluminium is not fashionable anymore here.

 

[WinterDeere]

Not a brand thing at all. Just a general comment on the pussification of trucks with all the useless electronics and screens that have no business in a pickup, or at least should be an option or an "upgrade". I really don't like this even with the base level XL interior (having electronics/screen) in mine.

I hear this a lot, but never understand why "electronics don't belong in trucks". I already mentioned the back-up camera, which I've come to rely on so heavily when backing a ball hitch up to a heavy trailer, that I couldn't even imagine going back to the days without. I also don't mind the integrated proportional trailer brake, versus the add-on brake controllers. I also like having all my tunes on a single SD card or USB stick, loaded into the stereo.

That's not "pussification", it's "sophistication"!

I've owned a lot of trucks, from a 1978 Ford up thru a 2015 RAM, and each one is better than the one before. I like the look of antique pickups as much as anyone, it’d even be fun to own one as a weekend toy, but I wouldn't want to tow my trailers or go on long trips in any of them.

 

[WinterDeere]

@WinterDeere must have been shopping F 150's. They do have gas and diesel V-8,'s in the f250 and up.

I was indeed shopping 1/2 ton, not specifically F150, but all brands.

My heaviest trailer is only 7k lb., so no need for anything heavier. Plus, I use it as much as a "bad weather" vehicle, or my "leave it at the airport beater", as hauling. Sunday night, it'll be sitting in a parking lot in South Philly, which beats getting one of my nicer vehicles scratched, or the wheels stolen.

I've always suspected the 1/2 ton trucks might handle better on highway and in bad weather, versus the 3/4 ton trucks I've owned, but I've never really looked into what the pros say about that. In any case, they work well for my current needs, when configured properly.

My current 1/2 ton was ordered with the 3.92 rear, LT tires, factory trailer brake controller, and heavy-duty rear springs, as well as old-skool locked-transfer 4wd. The standard in 2015 was something like 3.23 rear, P-rated tires, and AWD transfer case.