What Ford vehicles are made of aluminum?
In recent years, Ford has embraced the use of aluminum in vehicle manufacturing to improve fuel efficiency, enhance performance, and reduce overall vehicle weight. This shift has been particularly evident in their truck and SUV lineup. Below, we’ll explore which Ford vehicles are made of aluminum and why this material has become a game-changer in the automotive industry.
Why Ford Uses Aluminum in Vehicle Manufacturing
Ford's decision to incorporate aluminum into its vehicles stems from several key benefits:
- Weight Reduction: Aluminum is significantly lighter than steel, which helps improve fuel efficiency and vehicle handling.
- Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum is less prone to rust, increasing the longevity of vehicle components.
- Improved Performance: Lighter vehicles can accelerate faster and offer better towing capabilities.
- Environmental Benefits: Reduced weight leads to lower emissions, aligning with stricter environmental regulations.
Ford Vehicles Made of Aluminum
Ford has strategically used aluminum in several of its most popular models, particularly in the body panels and frames. Here are the key vehicles that feature aluminum construction:
- Ford F-150: Since 2015, the Ford F-150 has featured a high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy body. This innovation reduced the truck's weight by up to 700 pounds, improving fuel efficiency and towing capacity.
- Ford Super Duty (F-250, F-350, and F-450): Starting with the 2017 model year, Ford extended its aluminum body construction to the Super Duty lineup, enhancing durability and performance for heavy-duty tasks.
- Ford Expedition: The Ford Expedition SUV also benefits from aluminum body panels, which contribute to its improved fuel economy and handling.
- Ford Explorer: While not entirely aluminum, the Explorer incorporates aluminum components to reduce weight and improve efficiency.
How Aluminum Impacts Repair and Maintenance
While aluminum offers numerous advantages, it also presents unique challenges for repair and maintenance:
- Specialized Tools and Training: Repairing aluminum requires specific tools and techniques, as it behaves differently than steel during welding and reshaping.
- Higher Repair Costs: Aluminum repairs can be more expensive due to the specialized equipment and expertise required.
- Durability in Accidents: Aluminum is strong but less malleable than steel, which can make it more prone to cracking in certain types of collisions.
Conclusion
Ford's use of aluminum in vehicles like the F-150, Super Duty trucks, Expedition, and Explorer demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability. While aluminum construction offers significant benefits in terms of weight reduction, performance, and fuel efficiency, it also requires specialized care when it comes to repairs. At Kevin's Autos, we stay up-to-date with the latest repair techniques to ensure your aluminum-bodied Ford vehicle receives the best possible care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ford Mustang aluminum?
Fully unitized steel chassis, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration with fully independent front/rear suspension and perimeter subframe.
Does Ford have aluminum body problems?
Aluminum cars corrode, too.” A class-action lawsuit against Ford shows just how real aluminum car corrosion is.
Does the Ford F-250 have an aluminum body?
The Super Duty® has the only high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body in its class.
What Ford models are aluminum?
“AlumiDuty” refers specifically to Ford's line of heavy-duty trucks, including versions of the F-150 and F-250 that feature the aluminum body.
Is the 2017 Ford F-150 all aluminum?
Since 2015, the Ford F-150 has had an aluminum body. In 2017, the F-Series Super-Duty trucks also gained aluminum bodies. Both were the first pickups in their class to get bodies made out of the lighter-weight material.
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.
Is the 2015 F-250 aluminum body?
Means that fuel consumption. Goes down. And towing and payload capabilities go up another great reason to own an F-250.
Is the 2024 F-150 an aluminum body?
The foundation for F-150 is a fully boxed high-strength steel frame with a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body, allowing customers best-in-class available payload and max towing capability4.
Is the Ford Ranger an aluminum body?
Unlike the F-150, the Ranger doesn't use all-aluminum body panels and instead uses a mix of aluminum and steel panels.
What years did Ford have aluminum bodies?
Ford has already put into practice the advantages of aluminum for their fleet. In 2015, Ford introduced the aluminum-bodied F-150 and spent the last six years refining mass market aluminum manufacturing best practices.
