Is the 2017 Ford F-150 all aluminum?
No. The 2017 Ford F-150 has an aluminum body on a steel frame, so it is not entirely made of aluminum. Ford's shift to aluminum panels began with the 2015 redesign to reduce weight and boost efficiency, while the frame remained steel.
Material makeup of the 2017 F-150
For 2017, Ford continued using a mixed-material approach: aluminum exterior panels paired with a steel chassis. This combination aims to balance weight savings with durability and towing/payload performance.
What parts are aluminum?
The following components are widely cited as aluminum on the 2017 F-150, contributing to weight savings:
- Exterior body panels such as the hood, doors, fenders, roof, bed sides, and tailgate
- Other major exterior panels designed to be lightweight yet strong
Note: The frame and many underbody and structural components remain steel to preserve stiffness and safety.
Practical implications for owners
Understanding how aluminum body panels affect maintenance, repair, and ownership helps buyers and owners manage expectations.
Key practical considerations for owners include the following:
- Repairs can require specialized tools and trained technicians, which can affect repair cost and turnaround time
- Weight savings contribute to better fuel economy and may improve payload and towing performance in some configurations
- Body-panel dent repair and paint matching may differ from traditional steel panels, potentially influencing service procedures
- Long-term reliability and resale considerations can vary based on consumer perception and insurer policies regarding mixed-material construction
In short, while the F-150's 2017 model year is not all aluminum, its aluminum body panels paired with a steel frame represent a deliberate trade-off between weight reduction and structural integrity.
Summary
The 2017 Ford F-150 is not an all-aluminum vehicle. It uses an aluminum body with a steel frame, delivering significant weight savings and improved efficiency while maintaining the durability of a steel chassis. This mixed-material approach has shaped maintenance, repair considerations, and ownership expectations for that model year.
