Is the 2019 Expedition aluminum?
Yes. The 2019 Ford Expedition uses aluminum alloy exterior panels to reduce weight, but it does not have an entirely aluminum body—the frame is steel.
Ford’s move toward lighter materials began with the F-150 in 2015 and extended to its full-size SUVs. For the 2019 Expedition, the aluminum strategy focuses on the exterior panels to trim weight and improve efficiency, while the chassis remains a steel structure for strength, durability, and towing capability. This approach mirrors the industry trend of mixing materials to balance weight, cost, and repairability.
What aluminum means for the Expedition
Exterior body panels
Before examining specifics, it helps to know where aluminum appears on the vehicle. The Expedition employs aluminum alloy for most exterior panels, a design choice intended to reduce curb weight and improve fuel economy and acceleration without sacrificing exterior rigidity.
- Exterior panels are largely aluminum alloy, including surfaces such as the hood and likely several body panels (doors, fenders, liftgate) depending on trim. This mirrors Ford’s approach on the F-Series by shifting mass from panels to keep the vehicle sturdy yet lighter.
- Some trim-specific components and attachments may use mixed materials, but the goal is a lighter, more efficient SUV without compromising durability.
- The paint, corrosion protection, and repair techniques for aluminum panels require specialized processes and equipment compared with traditional steel panels.
Understanding the exterior panel composition helps explain the Expedition’s on-road behavior, maintenance considerations, and potential repair costs compared with fully steel-bodied rivals or a fully aluminum vehicle.
Chassis and structure
While the exterior benefits from aluminum, the Expedition’s fundamental chassis remains steel. Ford uses a robust steel ladder-frame architecture for the Expedition to support heavy towing loads and rugged use, which helps preserve chassis stiffness and long-term durability in challenging conditions.
- The frame is typically high-strength steel, designed to resist twist and corrosion while supporting heavy payload and trailer tongue loads.
- Some components around the suspension and subframes may employ mixed materials, but the main load-bearing structure is steel.
Balancing an aluminum exterior with a steel frame is a deliberate engineering choice aimed at preserving durability and serviceability while gaining weight benefits where it matters most for efficiency and performance.
Why this matters to buyers and owners
Understanding the material mix helps when evaluating fuel economy, repair costs, and ownership experience. Aluminum exterior panels can contribute to better efficiency, but they also bring considerations around collision repair, panel alignment, and paint work.
- Fuel economy and performance: Lighter body panels can translate to improved acceleration, handling, and efficiency for a vehicle as large as the Expedition.
- Repair and body-shop considerations: Aluminum requires specialized tools, adhesives, and welding techniques. Some collision repair shops may have longer turnaround times or higher labor costs for aluminum work.
- Paint and finish: Aluminum panels often need different refinishing procedures to achieve a seamless appearance, particularly after dent repairs or repaints.
- Resale value: The aluminum exterior can be a selling point for efficiency and modern design, but prospective buyers may want to confirm the specific material composition on their preferred trim.
For owners, the key takeaway is to seek out shops experienced with aluminum repair and to factor potential service costs into ownership planning, while still enjoying the Expedition’s payload, space, and capability.
What to know when shopping for a 2019 Expedition
When evaluating a 2019 Expedition, consider how the aluminum exterior affects maintenance, repair, and overall ownership costs, in addition to its standard features and drivetrain options.
- Check for consistent panel gaps and alignment, which can indicate prior repairs or panel replacements, including aluminum panels.
- Ask about warranty coverage specific to aluminum body components and paint to understand potential repair costs.
- Confirm that local service centers have the equipment and technicians qualified to work with aluminum panels to avoid delays or higher repair bills after a collision.
- Compare trims and options, noting which packages might influence material use or coatings on exterior panels.
By asking the right questions, buyers can weigh the aluminum-related benefits against the practical considerations of repairability and maintenance.
Summary
The 2019 Ford Expedition represents Ford’s ongoing use of aluminum-intensive exterior panels to trim weight, a strategy first popularized by the F-150. The vehicle’s frame remains steel, preserving strength for towing and rugged use. This combination yields improved efficiency and performance on a full-size SUV, while also introducing certain repair and maintenance considerations tied to aluminum bodywork. Prospective buyers and owners should be aware of the specialized service requirements for aluminum panels to ensure smooth ownership.
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Are 2019 Fords aluminum?
2019 Ford F-250 Highlights
Ford pickups of the past were built with steel bodies, but the F-250, like the F-150, is now constructed with high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy.
What year did Ford Expedition go to aluminum body?
The Ford Expedition went to an aluminum body with the 2018 model year redesign. This change was part of the vehicle's fourth generation, which introduced a new aluminum-alloy body on a steel frame, similar to the F-150.
- The 2018 Expedition was the first time Ford used an aluminum body for the full-size SUV.
- This change helped reduce the vehicle's weight by up to 300 pounds, leading to improved fuel economy and towing capacity.
Are Ford Expeditions aluminum?
Yes, Ford Expeditions have an aluminum body, a design change first introduced in the 2018 model year and continuing through 2025. The high-strength aluminum-alloy body is used for the exterior panels, which are mounted on a high-strength steel frame.
- Aluminum body: Ford switched the exterior body to aluminum in 2018, a design that is still used in the 2024 and 2025 models.
- Steel frame: The aluminum body sits on a high-strength steel frame.
- Benefits: The switch to aluminum helped reduce the vehicle's weight, which can improve fuel efficiency and towing performance.
- Applications: Components like the hood, fenders, and tailgate are made from aluminum alloy, while structural parts like the frame, floors, and windshield frame are steel.
