The reality of aluminum body panels.

[ray66v]

What I have long wondered about is that the automakers try to make full size trucks lighter, BUT they use huge 20 inch rims and tires on many models and the extra weight doesn't seem to matter to them. My '90 F-150 was the last pickup I owned and the steel wheels and 15 inch radial tires were a LOT lighter than the 20 inch aluminum rims and tires available on today's trucks. The new 20 inch tires wear no better than the older 15 inch ones and cost a lot more in addition to being much heavier. It makes no sense to me. Just imaging the weight savings by reverting to the older 15 inch rims and tires AND you could also have a compact spare tire then rather than the gigantic heavy 20 inch spare tire and wheel.

Not sure why you believe that the larger aluminum wheels, and low profile tires, are heavier than the steel wheels, and high profile tires.

I handled hundreds of them over the years. And, that was not what I experienced.

The outside diameter of the tire is the same. The inside diameter is the only thing that has changed. And, while it will give better handling performance, it was done, to save weight.

Aluminum is obviously lighter than steel. Even though the wheel is a larger diameter, it's made from a much lighter material, than steel. Low profile tires, have a side wall that is often less than half the height of a normal tire, which means less rubber. Rubber is very heavy, just the weight saving there, is substantial.

Cars and trucks are now treated the same way as aircraft, in the sense that every bit of weight they can save, matters. The government is forcing them to find ways to increase mileage anywhere they can. Manufacturers have completely eliminated spare tires on most cars now, to save that weight. If the old steel wheels, and tires, would save weight, they would go back to them in a heart beat. Not to mention steel wheels were a lot easier, and cheaper to make.

Personally, I want nothing to do with low profile tires, the elimination of the side wall, also eliminates the ability of that part of the tire, to cushion the ride. So far, I have avoided buying a vehicle that has them.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Aluminum parts on Fords is nothing new.

All Model T's from 1908-1914 had aluminum hoods.

Ford changed to all steel hoods in 1915, for one reason, cost.

It's ironic that it took exactly 100 years to go back.

There's aluminum on this 1914 model:

 

[timswi]

Not sure why you believe that the larger aluminum wheels, and low profile tires, are heavier than the steel wheels, and high profile tires.

I handled hundreds of them over the years. And, that was not what I experienced.

The outside diameter of the tire is the same. The inside diameter is the only thing that has changed. And, while it will give better handling performance, it was done, to save weight.

Aluminum is obviously lighter than steel. Even though the wheel is a larger diameter, it's made from a much lighter material, than steel. Low profile tires, have a side wall that is often less than half the height of a normal tire, which means less rubber. Rubber is very heavy, just the weight saving there, is substantial.

Cars and trucks are now treated the same way as aircraft, in the sense that every bit of weight they can save, matters. The government is forcing them to find ways to increase mileage anywhere they can. Manufacturers have completely eliminated spare tires on most cars now, to save that weight. If the old steel wheels, and tires, would save weight, they would go back to them in a heart beat. Not to mention steel wheels were a lot easier, and cheaper to make.

Personally, I want nothing to do with low profile tires, the elimination of the side wall, also eliminates the ability of that part of the tire, to cushion the ride. So far, I have avoided buying a vehicle that has them.

I used to feel the way the way you do about low profile tires. My last 2 trucks have/had 20" blingers on them and my concerns were not founded. Towing, hauling--whatever never had an issue. The wheels are heavy though, seem quite a bit heavier than the 17" standard aluminum wheels with 265/70's on them that I've had in the past.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I used to feel the way the way you do about low profile tires. My last 2 trucks have/had 20" blingers on them and my concerns were not founded. Towing, hauling--whatever never had an issue. The wheels are heavy though, seem quite a bit heavier than the 17" standard aluminum wheels with 265/70's on them that I've had in the past.

run them just a little under inflated and hit a hole in the road. See what happens then.

 

[ray66v]

run them just a little under inflated and hit a hole in the road. See what happens then.

Oh yeah.

Under inflated, or even normally inflated.

I fixed a lot of them. It gets real expensive, real fast. Just, a tire, and wheel, that costs $1500, did not surprise me anymore.

Since the the tire can't really absorb any of the impact, the suspension has to do it all. When it exceeds the limits of the suspension, things start to bend. Even, frame damage, from hitting chuck holes, is not at all rare. Especially, on unibody vehicles.

Ford has used aluminum hoods, and tailgates, to reduce weight on large vehicles, for years. And, we could only repair them, about half as often, as a similar steel part. So, replacing the part, was required more often.

That's why, when so many on TBN were excited about an all AU F150, I said, it was not going to be worth it, because it was going to be an expensive vehicle to repair. Regardless of what initial rates are quoted at, the cost to insure them, will eventually reflect much higher rates. The Parts, and labor, will likely be nearly twice, what it costs to repair a steel version.

That's assuming that the aluminum bed side panels can be glued on. And rocker panels, and door frames, will still be steel. If none of that is the case, and there is a lot of aluminum welding in repairing these, it will cost even more.

 

[timswi]

run them just a little under inflated and hit a hole in the road. See what happens then.

4 plus years on PA 's notoriously horrid roads and it hasn't happened. I know how to drive.

I have apx 5" of sidewall. The wife's Hummer has 7". Big deal.

 

[ultrarunner]

Aluminum parts on Fords is nothing new.

All Model T's from 1908-1914 had aluminum hoods.

Ford changed to all steel hoods in 1915, for one reason, cost.

It's ironic that it took exactly 100 years to go back.

There's aluminum on this 1914 model:

I was going to mention it... late again!

 

[Brad_Blazer]

If you're jealous of the bling, no problem. Easy weekly payments! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIQzPz0GECc

 

[coobie]

If you're jealous of the bling, no problem. Easy weekly payments! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIQzPz0GECc

To funny and sad at the same time.

 

[Stimw]

Aluminum parts on Fords is nothing new.

All Model T's from 1908-1914 had aluminum hoods.

Ford changed to all steel hoods in 1915, for one reason, cost.

It's ironic that it took exactly 100 years to go back.

There's aluminum on this 1914 model:

Well you see how many of them are still around!!