Is the Ford F-150 still made of aluminum?
Yes. The Ford F-150 continues to use an aluminum-intensive body, with most exterior panels and the cab crafted from aluminum alloys, while the frame remains steel. This article explains what that means for today’s trucks and how the material makeup has evolved.
Current materials makeup of the F-150
Since Ford’s 2015 redesign, the F-150 shifted to aluminum-heavy construction to cut weight and improve efficiency. That approach remains in the latest generations, combining aluminum body panels with a steel frame and modern bonding techniques. Here is a concise look at how the truck is constructed today:
- Body panels and the cab are made from aluminum alloys (instead of all steel), helping reduce weight and boost efficiency, payload, and performance.
- The cargo bed is aluminum in the current generations, with reinforcement in key areas to maintain durability under load.
- The frame and some substructures remain steel, using high-strength steel for rigidity, crash performance, and long-term durability.
- Other components—such as inner structures, supports, and various attachments—use steel or aluminum as appropriate to balance durability and weight.
Ford’s approach blends an aluminum-intensive exterior with a robust steel frame and modern manufacturing techniques to deliver a durable, weight-conscious pickup for work and everyday use.
What owners should know about aluminum construction
Aluminum brings real-world implications for maintenance, repairs, and ownership. Here are key considerations that buyers and drivers commonly encounter:
- Weight savings can translate into better fuel economy and payload handling, but denting and repair can differ from traditional steel panels.
- Repairs for aluminum panels often require specialized tools, processes, and procedures, which can affect repair time and cost at some shops.
- Most Ford-authorized repair facilities and many independent shops use aluminum-dedicated procedures, bonding, and fasteners to restore structural integrity after damage.
- Color matching, panel replacements, and overall repair quality benefit from using shops experienced with aluminum construction.
Overall, the aluminum-based design remains a defining feature of the F-150. Ford continues to refine materials handling and assembly methods to maintain durability, resale value, and performance in heavy-duty use.
Is it still aluminum in the current generation?
Yes. The current generation of the Ford F-150 maintains the aluminum-intensive exterior and body panels introduced with the 2015 redesign, paired with a steel ladder frame and modern, high-strength steel components for structural integrity. Ford has reiterated that this material approach remains central to the F-150’s architecture, sustaining its weight-conscious, durable identity in today’s market.
Summary
The Ford F-150 remains aluminum-intensive on its exterior and body panels, with a steel frame forming the backbone. This combination continues to define the truck’s weight, efficiency, and payload characteristics, while Ford supports ongoing repairability and durability with modern bonding and manufacturing techniques. For buyers, that means a vehicle that balances lightweight construction with proven strength, alongside aluminum-specific maintenance considerations.
What Ford trucks are made out of aluminum?
Ford trucks with aluminum bodies include the F-150 and the F-Series Super Duty, starting with the 2015 model year for the F-150 and the 2017 model year for the Super Duty. This includes the all-electric F-150 Lightning, which also utilizes a high-strength aluminum alloy body. These trucks feature aluminum body panels but use a high-strength steel frame for structural integrity.
- Ford F-150: Switched to an aluminum-alloy body in 2015.
- Ford F-Series Super Duty: Gained aluminum bodies starting in 2017.
- F-150 Lightning: The all-electric model uses a high-strength aluminum alloy body and structural components.
Are F150s still aluminum?
Yes, Ford F-150s are still made with an aluminum alloy body, a change Ford made starting with the 2015 model year. The cab and bed use this high-strength aluminum alloy, while the frame remains made of high-strength steel, a combination that saves weight and improves capability and fuel economy.
- Body construction: The F-150's cab and bed are constructed from high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy.
- Frame: The underlying frame of the F-150 is still made of high-strength steel.
- Weight savings: The switch to an aluminum body, starting in 2015, resulted in a significant weight reduction of approximately 700 pounds.
- Benefits: This weight reduction leads to better fuel economy, increased performance, and higher towing and payload capacities.
- Durability: Despite initial concerns, the aluminum body is engineered to be tough and resistant to corrosion.
Will the new aluminum F-150 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.
Is the 2019 F-150 body all aluminum?
Yes, the 2019 Ford F-150 has a "military-grade" aluminum alloy body. This is a key feature that has been used since 2015 and provides benefits like lighter weight for a better power-to-weight ratio, increased strength without added bulk, and higher resistance to dents and corrosion compared to steel. The truck also has a high-strength steel frame for rigidity.
- Material: The body and bed are made from a high-strength, heat-treated aluminum alloy, the same type used in military and industrial applications.
- Benefits: This construction makes the truck lighter, which contributes to class-leading payload and towing capacities. It also increases dent and rust resistance.
- Frame: While the body is aluminum, the F-150 retains a high-strength steel frame for overall structural integrity.
- Repair: Due to its construction, the 2019 F-150 is non-magnetic on its body panels, which means standard magnetic signs will not stick to it.
