New Ford F150

[daugen]

the first place to ask is your insurance agent, to find out what comp/collision symbol they will apply to the new trucks.
My Suburban and my late wife's Cadillac XTS were about the same price to us, or within a couple grand.
The insurance was 50% more on the Cadillac because everything was complicated, the electronics were seriously expensive, and the front end sure
looked like it would crumple fast. The real point is the Suburban was 50% less, because the construction was so well known and relatively simple.

In other words, two $40K trucks could have very different insurance premiums charged. However, look around, Ram has air suspension, and other complications, Ford and Chevy are duking it out for most complicated infotainment. It all costs money to repair, and up goes the insurance.

 

[fordmantpw]

Can you explain the difference, I would like to know the metallurgical makeup of the alloys used.

I honestly don't know. I know it is a stronger alloy. Do some searching with all the '15 F150 news, and you should find something.

 

[fordmantpw]

Ford will sell more crash parts, aluminum is much harder to do bodywork on than steel.

With the extremely thin steel used today, I don't think there will be much difference. Plus, the new aluminum is actually more ding and dent resistant that the outgoing body panels due to the alloys they are using.

Ford expects insurance and repair costs to be comparable to the outgoing F150.

 

[Red Horse]

Think about it guys. Largest selling vehicle in US for 32 straight years. AND most importantly, it accounts for 40% of Ford's profit. Think they did not research the **** out of this?

I'm an old guy who spent over 44 years in an industry where vehicle weight was key-every pound of truck was one less pound of payload. Early aluminum components often meant trouble on down the road-either in durability and or parts availability. But technology moves on-and the military I guess sure has proved the merits of today's aluminum.

As for the 2.7 Ecoboost, while I'm a believer in the old saying.."no replacement for displacement", as the owner of an Ecoboost SHO, the low end torque of the concept is unreal. and I think by now they have accumulated plenty of inservice miles between the SHO and the 150's-to say nothing of the last year in Interceptor service. Does 2.7 L make me skeptical? Yes but I'm sure for some users it will work just fine.

Bottom line, I don't think there is much difference between a Ford-GM or RAM/Fiat/Dodge. All have their good points and negatives.

Me? Has to be Deere green or have a Blue Oval-and in the case of my big truck, two sticks!

 

[ovrszd]

As for the 2.7 Ecoboost, while I'm a believer in the old saying.."no replacement for displacement", as the owner of an Ecoboost SHO, the low end torque of the concept is unreal. and I think by now they have accumulated plenty of inservice miles between the SHO and the 150's-to say nothing of the last year in Interceptor service. Does 2.7 L make me skeptical? Yes but I'm sure for some users it will work just fine.

and in the case of my big truck, two sticks!

I agree. Not knocking the "little engine that can" at all. I'd just be concerned about it performing under the load rating of the truck every day.

I used to have a dump truck with two sticks. In those long hard pulls where a quick shift was relevant, I'd let go of the steering wheel and grab a stick with each hand.....

 

[Hiltz]

I like the looks of it. And I would say that shedding 700 lbs is pretty significant.

Ford had to lighten their trucks. It all equals out with Americans getting bigger.

 

[daugen]

I agree. Not knocking the "little engine that can" at all. I'd just be concerned about it performing under the load rating of the truck every day.

I used to have a dump truck with two sticks. In those long hard pulls where a quick shift was relevant, I'd let go of the steering wheel and grab a stick with each hand.....

glad you said that, I thought you were referring to twin exhaust pipes...clearly not a trucker, sorry...
Twin-Stick Transmission Coolest Tranny Ever? - StreetLegalTV.com

pretty sure you didn't mean this Rambler trans....

 

[daugen]

Ford had to lighten their trucks. It all equals out with Americans getting bigger.

sadly true. You put four big guys in a compact truck, if you can, and you are likely over the load limit...
better be hauling ping pong balls

 

[Ford850]

sadly true. You put four big guys in a compact truck, if you can, and you are likely over the load limit...
better be hauling ping pong balls

Unfortunately, if you put 4 average guys in some full sized trucks, you are also over the load limit. Gotta look at the details before you buy.

 

[sld]

I wonder if Ford will anodize the aluminum?

I wondered that too. I doubt it as to do any kind of touch up you have to strip and re-anodize. More than likely it will be alodined, epoxy primed and painted.

Trust me, aluminum can corrode but under similar conditions steel corrodes a whole lot faster.