Spy shots??

[Scooby074]

If the whole truck was plastic it would be a saturn.

Sent from my GT-P3113 using TractorByNet

An older saturn, yes. Nothing wrong with that, here in the land of salt. Plastic body and aluminum frame...20 years out of a truck without rust issues? Thats DEFINITELY not in Ford's best financial interests. I say that as the owner of a 10 yr old F150 that has rotten sills.

 

[crazyal]

I have a 2002 Saturn with 200k on it that the clutch went sitting in the back forty. If they made a truck with plastic panels I would buy it in a heart beat. Even if it was just the bed I would be sold.

 

[crazyal]

An older saturn, yes. Nothing wrong with that, here in the land of salt. Plastic body and aluminum frame...20 years out of a truck without rust issues? Thats DEFINITELY not in Ford's best financial interests. I say that as the owner of a 10 yr old F150 that has rotten sills.

Around here that would be a snow plow truck. I don't think those to the south of us understand that after 10 years of winters cars and trucks are getting ready to be retired.

 

[Scooby074]

Around here that would be a snow plow truck. I don't think those to the south of us understand that after 10 years of winters cars and trucks are getting ready to be retired.

Yeah, our winters (well, actually there is salt spray year round)are pretty brutal on vehicles. Guys in the south have no idea really. Thats why I watch powerblock on Spike and Overhaulin... I get a kick out of what they call "rusted out":laughing: Being able to turn bolts out on a 10 yr old vehicle without heat or penetrating oil at minimum?:laughing:

 

[CliffordK]

Relaible sources tell me that thing has an aluminum frame. but i can't make it out from any of the pictures.

Great idea.
Over the last few decades, the weight of a basic pickup has been slowly creeping up (by 1/2 to 1 ton or so), which makes it hard to improve the fuel efficiency much.

This is suggesting that Ford may introduce a unibody pickup in 2015. However, the photos above look very much like a traditional cab, bed, and frame setup,

The Honda Ridgeline, or the VW Caddy that use the unibody design.

We get some snow here, depending on where one is, but the state does not apply salt to the roads. They are now using non-corrosive de-icers. So, while we get lots of rain, we don't get the deep rust for many years.

 

[murphy1244]

the beds are getting so small its hard to call it a truck

 

[CliffordK]

the beds are getting so small its hard to call it a truck

I mentioned that yesterday.
I suppose it depends on what you use it for.
If 90% of the "pickup" stuff one does is pulling a trailer, then the short bed is fine. Is it long enough for a Gooseneck/5th wheel? Perhaps that would be another reason to move the rear axle further back.

Most people with heavy towing would be using a 3/4 or 1 ton though.

A Crew Cab - Long Bed pickup is awfully long. But, there certainly is a place for regular cab long bed pickups.

 

[Clint S]

I had neighbor move up from down south that was a mechanic. He had never used torches before.

 

[CliffordK]

Oh, as far as plastic body panels, I'd certainly be reluctant to have the inside of the bed made out of plastic, I just don't think it would hold up to heavy abuse.

Over time, many plastics get brittle, especially with exposure to sunlight. Ever see cracks in a steering wheel, or dashboard?

I don't know how this affects, say a 1990/91 Saturn. I have, however, seen cracked bumper covers on Saturns, and perhaps other cars too, which are a huge pain to replace.

I have no doubt that the boom in vinyl siding on houses a few years ago will lead to a big bust in vinyl siding in the coming years.

 

[Scooby074]

Oh, as far as plastic body panels, I'd certainly be reluctant to have the inside of the bed made out of plastic, I just don't think it would hold up to heavy abuse.

Over time, many plastics get brittle, especially with exposure to sunlight. Ever see cracks in a steering wheel, or dashboard?

I don't know how this affects, say a 1990/91 Saturn. I have, however, seen cracked bumper covers on Saturns, and perhaps other cars too, which are a huge pain to replace.

I have no doubt that the boom in vinyl siding on houses a few years ago will lead to a big bust in vinyl siding in the coming years.

It depends on the plastic and its thickness. Dump trucks are routinely lined with UHMW plastic and it takes the abuse no problems. Properly designed, plastic wouldnt cause me any issues.