What part of the Ford F-150 is aluminum?
The exterior body panels and cargo box are aluminum; the frame remains steel.
The Ford F-150 introduced a high-strength aluminum alloy body with its 2015 redesign to cut weight and boost efficiency, while the underframe and many drivetrain components stayed steel. This article explains which parts are aluminum and what that means for performance and maintenance in current models.
Overview of aluminum use in the F-150
Since the mid-2010s, Ford has used an aluminum-alloy body for the F-150, paired with a steel frame. The goal is to reduce weight without sacrificing durability, contributing to better fuel economy and payload efficiency while maintaining capability.
Exterior aluminum components
Before listing the main aluminum components, here is a concise breakdown of the exterior parts that are aluminum on most modern F-150 models:
- Hood
- Doors
- Fenders
- Tailgate
- Bed sides and bed floor
Collectively, these exterior panels constitute the aluminum portion of the F-150’s body, contributing to weight reduction and improved efficiency while preserving strength and rigidity.
Frame and material strategy
While the body and bed are aluminum, Ford retains a steel frame for the F-150. This mixed-material approach aims to balance weight savings with proven structural durability, especially under heavy-use conditions typical for light-duty trucks.
Maintenance and repair considerations
Aluminum body panels can require different repair techniques and equipment compared with traditional steel panels. For owners, this means potential differences in dent repair, panel replacement, and paint matching. Authorized service centers with aluminum know-how are best equipped to handle repairs and maintain corrosion protection and finish integrity.
Additional context
Beyond the body, Ford’s powertrain and some ancillary components may incorporate aluminum parts (such as certain engine components in some configurations), but the defining aluminum feature of the F-150 remains its aluminum body and bed mounted on a steel frame. This combination underpins the truck’s stated weight reduction targets and performance characteristics.
Summary
In today’s Ford F-150, aluminum is used primarily for the body and cargo bed—hence the lighter overall weight—while the frame remains steel to preserve durability and load-bearing performance. This design choice shapes maintenance needs, repair processes, and overall ownership experience, continuing to influence how the F-150 performs on and off the job site.
What metal is the Ford F-150 panel made of?
While Ford aluminum dominates the body panels, steel remains key for the truck's frame and chassis.
Do magnets stick to aluminum F-150?
You are probably reading this because you've recently bought a new Ford F150 Pickup truck and are struggling to stick your magnetic signs to it. This is because it is made from Aluminum and is non-magnetic. Don't despair, it's an awesome truck and our Gripper Mats™ can help to hold your magnet signs on.
Does the Ford F-150 aluminum body rust?
No, the aluminum body of an F-150 does not rust like steel, but it can corrode. While steel rusts and the corrosion spreads deeply, aluminum corrosion is different and doesn't spread below the surface in the same way. However, other parts of the truck, such as the steel frame and suspension components, can still rust.
- Aluminum vs. Steel: Rust is the specific term for the oxidation of iron or steel. Aluminum forms a protective oxide layer, but it can still corrode, which is an electrochemical process. This corrosion doesn't eat through the material as quickly as rust does in steel.
- Steel parts: The truck's steel frame, suspension, and other undercarriage parts can and will rust, so treating these parts with rust-inhibiting coatings like Fluid Film or oil undercoating is recommended.
- Corrosion prevention: Ford uses coatings and other methods to prevent corrosion, particularly galvanic corrosion that can occur where aluminum and steel meet. It is also important to fill in any paint chips on the aluminum body to prevent moisture and salt from getting underneath the paint.
What parts of an F-150 are aluminum?
Ford engineered its F-150 to be constructed with an aluminum alloy cab and bed (the frame is high-strength steel) to take advantage of aluminum's durability and weight savings.
