Fords aluminium body

[Rustyiron]

Any feedback on the corrosion results? I haven't kept up with the calendar, but didn't they start with the F150 enough years ago to have an opinion?
I'm skeptical but what's the owners responses.

 

[5030]

You do realize that GM is also using aluminum body panels as well?

 

[dodge man]

I’m not certain of the years but 2015 for the F150 and 2016 for the F250 and larger were the first years for aluminum body’s. I have a 2017 F150 and live in Illinois, which gets a lot of salt on the roads.

My opinion is in theory the body can corrode but I think that will be a very rare thing. On mine I see no problems with the body but other components will still rust. For example the running board brackets on mine get chips from rocks and I could see in the future where they will rust. I have had a Dodge and Chevy pickups that had or were going to rust out. I think the aluminum body benefits far outweigh any downside.

 

[jyoutz]

I’m not certain of the years but 2015 for the F150 and 2016 for the F250 and larger were the first years for aluminum body’s. I have a 2017 F150 and live in Illinois, which gets a lot of salt on the roads.

My opinion is in theory the body can corrode but I think that will be a very rare thing. On mine I see no problems with the body but other components will still rust. For example the running board brackets on mine get chips from rocks and I could see in the future where they will rust. I have had a Dodge and Chevy pickups that had or were going to rust out. I think the aluminum body benefits far outweigh any downside.

Only if you live where they use salt on the roads. They use non corrosive de-icers in my state.

 

[Rustyiron]

5030, I was not, I'll take any model, make and car or pickup with aluminum body panels.

 

[dodge man]

GM, I think they call it Carbon Fiber or similar pickup that has a lot of carbon fiber panels as well as aluminum. I once saw a nice colored picture of what all the panels on the truck were made of.

They have been using aluminum for years, but not to the degree Ford has. I have a 2010 Dodge Challenger with an aluminum hood but no other panels are.

 

[fishdrivel]

Any feedback on the corrosion results? I haven't kept up with the calendar, but didn't they start with the F150 enough years ago to have an opinion?
I'm skeptical but what's the owners responses.

I have a 2016 f150 in perfect condition. Love it. Much lighter truck with same load capacity.

 

[Oaktree]

They have been using aluminum for years, but not to the degree Ford has. I have a 2010 Dodge Challenger with an aluminum hood but no other panels are.

Chrysler products have been using aluminum body panels (mostly hood/trunk) at least off and on since the 70s. The so called "Feather Duster" was one of the first.

How do they prevent galvanic corrosion where aluminum and steel meet?

 

[5030]

I’m not certain of the years but 2015 for the F150 and 2016 for the F250 and larger were the first years for aluminum body’s. I have a 2017 F150 and live in Illinois, which gets a lot of salt on the roads.

My opinion is in theory the body can corrode but I think that will be a very rare thing. On mine I see no problems with the body but other components will still rust. For example the running board brackets on mine get chips from rocks and I could see in the future where they will rust. I have had a Dodge and Chevy pickups that had or were going to rust out. I think the aluminum body benefits far outweigh any downside.

Seems as though 'running boards' are standard equipment on all new trucks today and personally speaking, unless the truck is high up, they are a useless addition that only collect crud and eventually the brackets rust.

About the 'macho' look I guess. Kind of like buying a backhoe with a new tractor. Another useless expense. When I need to dig a trench or hole, I use a rental mini ex. 5 times as fast and no investment in something that sits unused 95% of the time.

 

[5030]

Chrysler products have been using aluminum body panels (mostly hood/trunk) at least off and on since the 70s. The so called "Feather Duster" was one of the first.

How do they prevent galvanic corrosion where aluminum and steel meet?

They 'glue' them together with epoxy and that insulates the dissimilar metals.

 

[sd455dan]

Chrysler products have been using aluminum body panels (mostly hood/trunk) at least off and on since the 70s. The so called "Feather Duster" was one of the first.

How do they prevent galvanic corrosion where aluminum and steel meet?

Pontiac built a few 389 and SD-421 Tempests and Catalinas in the very early 1960s with aluminum bumpers, inner fenders, radiator core support, fenders, hoods, intake manifolds, even headers.
They went as far to reduce weight as to "swiss cheese" the frames by drilling holes in them

Just don't lean on the body panels, and talk about holding their value over the long term...

 

[dodge man]

Chrysler also built lightweights, but that was strictly a drag racing thing. I’m not afraid to lean on my F150, although I don’t because I hate fine scratches.

 

[not2old]

The hood, front fenders and tailgate on my 1993 Volvo 960 are all aluminum. There is a slight amount of corrosion (bubbling paint) on the tailgate but not anywhere else that I've noticed. These cars have been described by an enthusiast's magazine as "remarkably immune to rust" I'm a bit skeptical of using it on the actual body due to it's difficulty of being repaired if damaged.

 

[crashz]

I'm not metallurgist, but its my understanding that when aluminum corrodes, the oxide protects the metal underneath, so further corrosion is prevented. Unlike iron oxide that is porous and further corrodes the metal. I can see how the Fords would avoid galvanic corrosion (dissimilar metals) by isolating the body from frame with rubber or poly mounts. Don't know how the other manufactures do it.

We have a few 2015 and 2016 F150's at work and they look great. Just a little surface rust showing on the frames, but the bodies look brand new.

 

[dodge man]

Keep in mind the F150’s are bodied completely in aluminum. Not just the outer panels but everything underneath, cab, floors, inner panels, rockers etc. They are body on frame so the frame, suspension, axles and all the other components that are normally steel or cast iron still are.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

My friend bought a new F150, not long after a hailstorm came through. It dented up waaaay easier/worse than steel and all had to be replaced, not repaired.

On new, I'd want it replaced too, but when it gets older, I'd rather it could be repaired.

SR

 

[Rustyiron]

The hood, front fenders and tailgate on my 1993 Volvo 960 are all aluminum. There is a slight amount of corrosion (bubbling paint) on the tailgate but not anywhere else that I've noticed. These cars have been described by an enthusiast's magazine as "remarkably immune to rust" I'm a bit skeptical of using it on the actual body due to it's difficulty of being repaired if damaged.

I've observed that lack of rust myself and was looking for a xc (90?) for something used for my wife. Never did find one with under 100k. I still think it's a handsome vehicle and better looking than the newer models.

 

[Streetcar]

I have a 2016 f150 in perfect condition. Love it. Much lighter truck with same load capacity.

My 2016 is still looking great f150

 

[MoMower]

My 18’ F150 at work with 46k miles and only swirl
maker car washes is holding up well.

My 18’ F250 is the same at 32k miles.

Zero body issues on either.

 

[KennyG]

No issues with the body on my 2017. I'm starting to see some surface rust on the steel frame.