What parts of the F-150 are aluminum?
The F-150 uses an aluminum-intensive body, with most exterior panels and the cab made from aluminum, while the frame remains steel. This combination has been in place since the 2015 redesign and continues across current generations, though exact component choices can vary by trim and model year.
Overview of the aluminum approach in the F-150
The 2015 redesign ushered in Ford's shift to a predominantly aluminum body to reduce weight and improve efficiency. In practice, this means the exterior shell and many surface panels are aluminum, while the structural frame and some underbody parts stay steel or use high-strength steel alloys. The exact mix has evolved over subsequent model years, but the core idea remains: lighter aluminum for the body, reinforced steel where strength matters most.
What parts are aluminum?
Below is a rundown of the major exterior body components commonly constructed from aluminum on recent F-150 trucks.
- Hood (bonnet)
- Front fenders
- Doors (both front and rear)
- Roof
- Tailgate
- Bed side panels
- Cab/Body-in-White (the primary cabin structure)
These aluminum components reflect Ford’s strategy to shed weight from the vehicle’s outer shell and passenger area, contributing to better fuel economy and payload efficiency. The exact composition can vary by year and trim, but the trend toward an aluminum body has persisted since the mid-2010s.
Frame and other non-aluminum parts
Even as the body panels are aluminum, the F-150’s frame remains primarily steel, with sections reinforced by high-strength steel. Underbody components, suspension mounting points, and many internal structural members typically use steel or steel-alloy hybrids to maintain rigidity and safety standards. Some non-panel parts, such as certain bed components or interior structures, may also be steel or mixed-materials depending on generation and option level.
Summary
In short, the Ford F-150’s aluminum-focused design covers the majority of exterior body panels and the cab, including the hood, doors, fenders, roof, tailgate, bed sides, and the primary cabin structure. The frame remains steel, with high-strength steel used in several supporting areas. This architecture has been a hallmark of F-150 design since the 2015 refresh and continues in current models, with variations by year and trim.
