Next-Gen Ford Super Duty To Receive Aluminum Bodies


The King of Truck Mountain’s royal guard will soon be outfitted in aluminum, thanks to Ford’s vision for the next-gen Super Duty.
The Detroit News reports product development boss Raj Nair made the announcement during Ford’s investor day Monday. Though details were scarce, it’s likely the first aluminum-bodied Super Dutys will leave Louisville, Ky. in 2015 as 2016 models, in keeping with the bigger trucks following the F-150 down the upgrade trail.
As for the aluminum F-150, president of the Americas Joe Hinrichs said the Dearborn Truck Plant has completed the month-long changeover needed to make the new truck, with aluminum sheets running through the plant starting this week. The new F-150 is expected in showrooms by the end of the year, so long as nothing fancy is needed.
Comments
Join the conversation
The chicken that lays the golden egg. Living in a protected enclosure. I do hope Ford knows what it's doing. Hmmm......Very brave.
I know this is asking a lot, but I hope this generation marks a departure from styling that looks like it was done by a couple of 10-year-old boys trying to outdo each other.
So are they bumping the guage up? 3/16 of an inch maybe? Cutting weight in a HD truck is stupid, the weight is needed for towing. There's something else to this than saving weight, because that don't fly, I doubt rust is the answer either, those prevention techniques are much improved.
My only thoughts on the whole aluminum switch is how durable the beds and tailgates will be. Can they be "banged" back into shape like so many work trucks that I see? Or, since Al isn't as ductile will the panels crack at the fold in the metal when a repair is attempted. I'd be interested in a reply from anyone familiar with Al body work.