What Fords have aluminum bodies?
Ford has been a pioneer in adopting aluminum body construction for its vehicles, a move that has significantly improved fuel efficiency and performance while maintaining durability. If you're curious about which Ford models feature aluminum bodies, this article will provide a detailed overview.
Why Ford Uses Aluminum in Vehicle Bodies
Ford's decision to use aluminum in its vehicle bodies stems from several key benefits:
- Weight Reduction: Aluminum is much lighter than steel, which helps improve fuel efficiency and handling.
- Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum is less prone to rust, increasing the longevity of the vehicle.
- Performance Improvements: A lighter vehicle can accelerate faster and handle better, enhancing the driving experience.
- Environmental Benefits: Reduced weight leads to lower emissions, aligning with stricter environmental regulations.
Ford Models with Aluminum Bodies
Ford has incorporated aluminum body construction into several of its most popular models. Here are the key vehicles that feature aluminum bodies:
- Ford F-150: Starting with the 2015 model year, the Ford F-150 became the first mass-market pickup truck to feature a high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy body. This change 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): The Super Duty lineup adopted aluminum bodies starting with the 2017 model year. These trucks benefit from the same weight savings and durability improvements as the F-150.
- Ford Expedition: The Ford Expedition SUV transitioned to an aluminum body with its 2018 redesign, resulting in a lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicle.
- Lincoln Navigator: As a luxury counterpart to the Ford Expedition, the Lincoln Navigator also features an aluminum body starting with the 2018 model year.
How Aluminum Bodies Impact Maintenance and Repair
While aluminum bodies offer numerous advantages, they also come with unique considerations for maintenance and repair:
- Specialized Repair Techniques: Aluminum requires different tools and techniques compared to steel, so it's essential to choose a repair shop experienced in working with aluminum vehicles.
- Cost of Repairs: Repairs for aluminum bodies can be more expensive due to the specialized equipment and training required.
- Durability: Despite being lightweight, aluminum is highly durable and resistant to corrosion, reducing the likelihood of certain types of damage over time.
Conclusion
Ford's use of aluminum in its vehicle bodies represents a significant step forward in automotive engineering. Models like the F-150, Super Duty trucks, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator showcase the benefits of this material, including improved fuel efficiency, performance, and durability. If you own or are considering purchasing one of these vehicles, be sure to work with a repair shop that has expertise in aluminum body maintenance and repair to ensure the best care for your Ford.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ford aluminum body be repaired?
Aluminum is far easier to repair and reform as well as work with on a body part than steel as well. That reduces labor costs for repairs as well as produces far faster repairs as well.
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.
Which 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 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.
What years did Ford have aluminum bodies?
There are a few different kinds of Ford trucks, which determines their primary building material. Since 2015, Ford has made their popular F-150 truck out of aluminum. Then, in 2017, they also started creating their F-Series Super-Duty trucks out of aluminum as well.
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.
Does Ford have aluminum body problems?
The F Series trucks do seem to have issues because of their aluminum bodies, such as panel alignment and wind/water leaks. Owners are finding they are expensive to repair and do tend to damage much easier than steel bodies, and some speculate the use of expensive aluminum has eaten into Ford's profit margins.
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 6.7 PowerStroke aluminum?
Ford 6.7L Diesel Engine
Compacted graphite iron (CGI) deep-skirt engine block and aluminum cylinder heads help reduce weight while maintaining maximum strength for the horsepower and torque capacity of the Power Stroke V8.
Is the Ford Mustang aluminum?
Fully unitized steel chassis, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration with fully independent front/rear suspension and perimeter subframe.
