Does the 2016 Ford F250 have an aluminum body?
No—the 2016 Ford F-250 Super Duty does not use an aluminum body. It relies on a steel body and a high-strength steel frame designed for heavy-duty work.
During the mid-2010s, Ford introduced aluminum panels with the lighter-duty F-150, but the heavier Super Duty lineup, including the F-250, continued to use traditional steel construction for durability and payload capacity. This article explains the material makeup of the 2016 F-250 and how it compares to Ford’s aluminum-bodied F-150 from the same era.
Material makeup of the 2016 F-250
The following points summarize the material choices for the exterior and structure of the 2016 F-250 Super Duty.
- Body panels: Steel, with the cab and most exterior surfaces built from traditional steel materials.
- Frame: Fully boxed high-strength steel frame engineered for towing, payload, and chassis rigidity.
- Aluminum usage: Not used for the body panels on the 2016 F-250.
In short, the 2016 F-250’s exterior is steel, and Ford emphasized durability and payload with a robust steel frame rather than aluminum panels in that model year.
How it compares to the aluminum-bodied F-150 (around 2015–2017)
To understand the contrast, here are the key differences between the 2016 F-250 and Ford’s aluminum-bodied F-150 from the same era.
- F-150 body: Aluminum-alloy panels used for many exterior surfaces, contributing to lower curb weight on many configurations.
- Weight impact: Aluminum construction helped reduce overall vehicle weight in the F-150, potentially improving fuel efficiency and payload balance for lighter-duty use.
- Design goals: The F-150 focuses on lighter weight and efficiency for everyday use, while the F-250 emphasizes maximum durability and payload for work-focused tasks.
Overall, the 2016 F-250 remains steel-bodied in contrast to the aluminum-bodied F-150 of that era, reflecting the different roles in Ford’s truck lineup.
Implications for owners and maintenance
Steel-bodied heavy-duty trucks like the 2016 F-250 tend to excel in towing, payload, and rugged service. They may present different rust protection considerations and repair economics compared with aluminum-bodied vehicles, particularly if body damage occurs or in certain maintenance scenarios.
Summary
The 2016 Ford F-250 Super Duty does not have an aluminum body. It uses a steel body and a high-strength steel frame designed for heavy-duty work. By comparison, Ford’s aluminum-focused efforts in that era were directed at the lighter F-150, not the Super Duty lineup.
What year do Ford trucks have aluminum bodies?
Ford trucks have used aluminum bodies for the F-150 starting with the 2015 model year and for the Super Duty trucks beginning with the 2017 model year. These models feature an aluminum body, while the frame remains made of high-strength steel.
- Ford F-150: Aluminum bodies were introduced for the 2015 model year, which was a significant redesign for the truck.
- Ford Super Duty: Aluminum bodies were adopted for the Super Duty models (like the F-250, F-350, etc.) starting with the 2017 model year.
Does the Ford F-250 have an aluminum body?
Yes, Ford F-250 trucks use a high-strength, military-grade aluminum-alloy body on a steel frame, a design that began with the 2017 model year. This construction makes the truck lighter and stronger, with benefits like increased payload and towing capacity, while also being more resistant to corrosion.
Key features of the aluminum body
- Lighter and stronger: The aluminum alloy body is lighter than steel, which allows for a stronger frame and other components.
- Improved performance: The weight savings can translate to better fuel economy and increased towing and payload capabilities.
- Durable: The material is more resistant to dents and is not subject to red rust corrosion.
- Steel frame: The aluminum body is combined with a fully boxed steel frame for added durability and support.
- Corrosion resistance: Ford uses specialized coatings and adhesives, and the aluminum alloy body is tested for corrosion resistance.
Does the 2016 F250 have an aluminum body?
The 2016 Ford F-250 Super Duty is the last year for the heavy duty line before it switches to an aluminum body, like the F-150. It'll share more common parts with the F-150 too, so this is the last heavy-hauler's hurrah in some regards.
What year did Ford switch to aluminum F250?
2015
The widely popular and best-selling vehicle in Canada for over 50 years, the F-Series pickup underwent a redesign in 2015, adopting a high-strength, military-grade aluminum body. The all-new 2017 F-Series Super Duty pickup trucks also feature a lightweight aluminum body.
