Are Ford Explorers steel or aluminum?
The Ford Explorer, a popular SUV known for its versatility and reliability, has undergone significant changes in its design and materials over the years. One of the most common questions among car enthusiasts and potential buyers is whether the Ford Explorer is made of steel or aluminum. In this article, we’ll explore the materials used in the construction of the Ford Explorer and what they mean for durability, performance, and maintenance.
The Evolution of Ford Explorer Materials
Ford has been a pioneer in adopting lightweight materials to improve fuel efficiency and performance. Over the years, the Ford Explorer has transitioned from primarily steel construction to incorporating aluminum in key areas. This shift aligns with Ford's broader strategy of using advanced materials to enhance vehicle performance while meeting stringent fuel economy standards.
Steel vs. Aluminum: What Parts Are Made of What?
The Ford Explorer is not entirely made of one material. Instead, it uses a combination of steel and aluminum to balance strength, weight, and cost. Here’s a breakdown:
- Body Panels: Many of the body panels, such as the hood and doors, are made of aluminum. This helps reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, improving fuel efficiency and handling.
- Chassis and Frame: The chassis and frame are primarily made of high-strength steel. Steel provides the durability and rigidity needed for safety and off-road performance.
- Other Components: Smaller components, such as brackets and reinforcements, may also use a mix of steel and aluminum depending on their function and location in the vehicle.
Why the Mix of Steel and Aluminum?
The combination of steel and aluminum in the Ford Explorer is a strategic choice by Ford to achieve the following benefits:
- Weight Reduction: Aluminum is significantly lighter than steel, which helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
- Strength and Safety: High-strength steel is used in critical areas to ensure the vehicle meets safety standards and performs well in crash tests.
- Cost Efficiency: Using a mix of materials allows Ford to balance the cost of production while still delivering a high-quality vehicle.
What This Means for Maintenance
As a vehicle owner, understanding the materials used in your Ford Explorer can help you make informed decisions about maintenance and repairs. For example:
- Aluminum Panels: Aluminum is resistant to rust, which is a significant advantage in areas with harsh winters or high humidity. However, repairing aluminum panels can be more expensive than steel due to specialized tools and techniques required.
- Steel Components: While steel is more prone to rust, it is generally easier and less expensive to repair or replace compared to aluminum.
Conclusion
The Ford Explorer is a well-engineered SUV that uses a combination of steel and aluminum to deliver a balance of strength, durability, and efficiency. Whether you’re considering purchasing a Ford Explorer or already own one, understanding its construction materials can help you appreciate its design and make better maintenance decisions. At Kevin’s Autos, we’re here to help with all your car maintenance and repair needs—whether it’s a steel frame or an aluminum panel, we’ve got you covered!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ford trucks aluminum or steel?
Since 2015, Ford has made their popular F-150 truck out of aluminum. Then, in 2017, they also started creating their F-Series Super-Duty trucks out of aluminum as well. This trend continues until today, with these two models using aluminum bodies, and all other Ford trucks having the typical steel bodies.
Are explorers aluminum or steel?
Ford has adopted a “mixed materials” strategy to shed weight on the 2020 Explorer SUV available on sale this summer. “Weight was a factor in every decision we made,” Explorer chief engineer Bill Gubing said. The SUV's structure includes steel, aluminium, magnesium and plastic to keep the weight low.
How do I know if my wheels are aluminum or steel?
Any magnet you can find will be fine. Place your magnet between two spokes on the part of the rim turning in towards the middle of the wheel. Not on the side. If the magnet falls down your rim is made of aluminium, if it sits your rim is made of steel and will not be able to generate power to NOVA bike light.
Which Ford vehicles are aluminum?
Ford's pioneering use of aluminum in mass-produced vehicles has turned models like the F-150 and F-250 into benchmarks for innovation in the automotive industry.
What is the disadvantage of an aluminum truck?
Perhaps the worst knock against aluminum body construction is that it is very difficult to repair, particularly in collision repairs to panels and frames.
Are Ford Explorers made out of aluminum?
Why Ford walked away from all-aluminum bodies for new 2020 Explorer. In a turnabout, just five years after it shook the auto industry by dramatically switching the 2015 F-series pickup to an all-aluminum body, Ford adopted a “mixed materials” strategy to save weight on the 2020 Explorer SUV going on sale this summer.
Do aluminum body Fords rust?
Durability and Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum does not rust like traditional steel, which gives the Ford F-250 aluminum body a considerable advantage in terms of longevity and maintenance costs. This corrosion resistance is particularly valuable for drivers in harsh climates.
What year did Ford use aluminum?
2015
In 2015, Ford introduced the aluminum-bodied F-150 and spent the last six years refining mass market aluminum manufacturing best practices.
Which SUV is made of aluminum?
DETROIT – Ford unveiled an all new, aluminum-bodied version of its biggest SUV, the Expedition, Tuesday that is both larger and lighter than the aging version that it replaces.
Is steel or aluminum better for trucks?
The lighter weight of an aluminum truck body means more mileage per gallon. This makes them 8%-10% more fuel efficient than steel-bodied ones. So, if the truck you're purchasing will traverse long distances in the course of its daily job, then the fuel savings with aluminum is certainly something to consider.
