Curmudgeon

I used to keep a small magnet in both my 1997 & 2004 F150s to prove my statement to skeptics that the hoods were aluminum and win bets placed before the magnet was hauled out for a demo. On one occasion several years ago, I won two $25 bets in one day, both with a Ford sales person who (1) doubted the aluminum hood and (2) contested my statement that my '97 F150 had rear disc brakes. He lost the second bet because that particular model (a unique sort of hybrid between a standard duty F150 & heavy duty F250) started the model year with drum brakes and changed at Job 2 to disc brakes because of trailer towing brake failures with the earlier drums.

albertschmitz

iTrader: (1)

This is what the Source book from Ford says about the Aluminium Body So without checking I believe that

• 2015 F-150 body and bed are made of 6000 series high-strength aluminum alloy
• Thick body panels — thicker than the steel panels used in the previous model – provide excellent resistance to dents and dings
• Engineered reinforcement panels beneath the aluminum help withstand impacts

I wonder what the Engineers reinforcement is made of??

Here is what they state about corrosion. But have you ever heard of hood herpes on the 90's and newer alloy hood and decklid vehicles?

Corrosion Protection
• For corrosion protection, the entire frame is immersed in an e-coat solution and an electric charge is applied. The result is a durable protective shell that bonds with the steel and inhibits rust, even in hidden areas
• Ford engineers went to great lengths to inhibit galvanic corrosion, which can occur when steel (and some other metals) comes into contact with aluminum along with moisture – Specially coated bolts, clips and isolated body mounts prevent steel and aluminum from coming into contact – Coatings between surfaces (such as where the QuietSteel® dash panel meets the rest of the body) help prevent this – Keeping moisture out of these areas is a big part of preventing this type of corrosion
• Extensive corrosion testing was also done to ensure the tough adhesives used in the body can stand up to the elements and extreme temperature

MAKE THE POINT:

Isolating Aluminum Parts and Adding Aftermarket Accessories

Be sure your customers know that if they add an aftermarket rack or other accessory, it must be done in a way that keeps aluminum parts isolated from other metals. This is not difficult and instructions on how to do this are readily available. The new BoxLinkTM system helps simplify this.

I see no mention of any aluminum in the frame whatsoever though.

Fully Boxed High-strength Steel Frame
• Fully boxed ladder frame is designed to be the strongest F-150 frame ever, with torsional strength higher than the previous-generation frame — 70,000-psi yield strength
• Features more high-strength steel than the previous generation F-150 to enhance strength and durability while reducing weight – Previous-generation F-150 frame used approximately 23% high-strength steel, while the all-new F-150 frame uses 78% high-strength steel
• Tailor rolled blanks allow for different thickness in the side rails, putting strength where it’s needed most and allowing for the removal of weight from the frame while retaining overall strength
• Through-welded ladder construction with 8 crossmembers — 5 of which are through-welded — helps provide outstanding bending and torsional stiffness
• Large cross-section rails help improve torsional rigidity

albertschmitz

iTrader: (1)

I think that the Magnesium Crash bar is what was being referred to. It is considered part of the body not the frame





The aluminum looking piece in the front is the inter-cooler for the 2.7 that is in this picture




Picture of the frame with the 8 cross members. in the rear there are 2 that you can see in pic one. They look like one in this picture but the first pic shows the rear detail better

A little Q & A that Ford sends to sales reps about the body & frame.

Q: What is high-strength, military-grade, aluminum?
A: We are using 6000-Series high-strength, aluminum alloy. The new skin is lighter and tighter, rustproof, dent resistant and resists corrosion

Q: Why high-strength aluminum and why now?
A: Every upgrade we made to the all-new F-150 is for the customer. Based on listening to customers, we determined that the next F-150 needed to be tougher, smarter and more capable – with improved towing, payload and fuel efficiency. High-strength aluminum alloy was the best material to achieve this goal and deliver the performance for our customers.

Q: Why not a diesel engine instead of aluminum to achieve better fuel economy?
A: We’re concentrating on cutting weight because it has the most dramatic benefit for the customer. Also, our
EcoBoost engine is a better value for customers than some diesels right now. We’re expecting many other manufacturers to follow our lead with regard to weight reduction.

Q: Is aluminum weaker than steel?
A: We are using high-strength aluminum alloys in the all new F-150. We upgauged (added thickness) and added structural reinforcements to make it stronger and more dent- and ding-resistant than today’s truck.

Q: Will aluminum rust or corrode over time?
A: The high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the all-new F-150 does not produce red rust like steel. We have gone to great lengths to develop coatings that will inhibit corrosion.

Q: Which parts of the all-new F-150 are high-strength, military-grade, aluminum?
A: High-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys are used throughout the F-150 body and bed for the first time, improving dent and ding resistance and saving weight.

Q: How is aluminum more “dent-resistant” than steel in the previous F-150?
A: We’ve improved dent resistance over the previous model in two ways: The high-strength aluminum alloy we use in the body is thicker than the steel we use in the previous model, and we have engineered reinforcement panels beneath the aluminum to help withstand impacts.

Q: What are the benefits of the all-new high-strength steel frame?
A: The backbone of the all-new F-150 is the all-new high strength frame, which is constructed with 54% more high-strength steel than the previous F-150 models and is rated up to 70,000 psi. This increases stiffness and durability, while also reducing weight.

Q: Is aluminum harder to repair than steel?
A: Ford has used aluminum in body parts for years, such as in the hood of the 1997-2014 F-150 models. We have designed the all-new F-150 to be easily repairable in the event of an accident.

Q: Will customers need to go to a special repair shop to fix their truck after an accident?
A: Ford dealers and independent repair facilities will be qualified to handle repairs.

Q: Will aluminum cost more to insure and repair?
A: Repair and insurance costs are expected to be competitive with other trucks in the segment.

Cool looking detail on the inner and outer structure of aluminum.