TX15XLT

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...11K1XZ20150914 hmmm

The first components using the new aluminum alloy will appear in the 2016 year model F-150, including for the tailgate and the bed of the pickup truck

fordworker

Damn I've had my truck almost a month now & starting to think I should of waited a little longer....new sync new aluminum wtf

coryatver

Is that stuff "Military Grade" also? haha

TenacG15

I read about this somewhere else trying to find it but from my understanding they are only using it at parts of the bed and tailgate due to strength on impact of the new alloy. It is lighter and quicker to make but in development to match the current alloy strength results. Can't believe I'm unable to find this information again..... Still looking and ill post link .

NC_F150

Interesting. Doubt many people will notice any difference. Figured Ford would enhance the aluminum in the next few years as they learn more and different alloys are developed.

Lariat725

I would say it's a safe bet that not one aluminum alloy on any of Fords vehicles is new, I use near every kind day to day at my job (corporate aviation mechanic). I wouldn't worry too much about it. You should see a helicopter in flight, body ripples like water. The stuff on our trucks is fine. And personally I prefer the look of MFT TO SYNC.

NumberCruncher

I wouldn't worry too much about this.

Maybe Ford overdid it making sure they had a robust aluminum alloy and have since found they can cut another corner. If this is the case, those of us with 2015's may be better off than 2016's.

For every time I have seen a revised product be improved over the outgoing one I have seen the revised product take a step backward. You never know which one you are going to get.

NC

Stu Cazzo

Aluminum has been around for some time...check your beer cans!

AbitaPro

Read the article, material is more formable, it's possible that benefit alone will help Ford with panel manufacturing, reducing waste, time, improve quality, perhaps use fewer panels and cut costs. For those of you who commented about gaps, creeking noises perhaps it may help out there too?

The part of the article I like is:

"Last year, Ford rolled out its 2015 F-150 with an aluminum alloy body that made it 700 pounds (320 kg)lighter than earlier models, boosting fuel efficiency."

Without going to the 2.7L engine, how much boost of MPG is there really for 2015 vs 2014's? Probably not as much as we were all hoping.

Actually I think it's just the beginning, and the Best is yet to come! You have to start somewhere and Ford made the commitment to go to aluminum. Once the pain of change has passed, and more of the new technology arrives, I expect we will all see a lot more Boost!

jtnuge

Alcoa has been working on this "new" process for some time, Its just a timing thing. Sounds like a lot of the new parts from ford will not be seen by the naked eye. Complex shapes that are structural.