09-14 Steel Bodied Preference (Newbie) Question
 

Greetings folks! I am new to the forum so please don't flame me if this, or a similar question, has been asked. For a while, I have been wanting to purchase an F-150 Super Cab. However, I am old school and have been a bit apprehensive about owning a pickup with an aluminum body, especially after watching a few videos on YouTube. I had been shopping around for a while and recently purchased a fairly low-mileage 2013 F-150 STX 4x4. My question is this: Has anyone else here actively sought out an older-model F-150 only to avoid buying a truck with aluminum body panels? I am posting here as to not offend those in the 2015 and up segment. Thanks! :sweatdrop:

Welcome to the forums & good luck with your ride!!
Personally I haven't seen or heard anyone asking your question?? I like the older models better than the newer ones anyways!!...........& now especially as you have pointed out & even asked; for the time being I will add aluminum to my list of don't want!! My first S/cab was a 77 & I pretty much have had one since ........I also have two S/crews right now along with a S/cab.......I was just saying an hour ago my 2013 S/cab probably is gonna be my next work truck (replacing a S/crew). So luv is there!! "Good Day"

Hi and thanks for the warm welcome! I have previously owned a '72 F-100 and a '90 F150, before going to GMC, Dodge, etc. I eventually came back to Ford, but always thought that going to an all aluminum body was a bad idea. Good day!

Owning a '13 F150 I would have no issue with owing aluminum body. Most all manufacturers are using aluminum or lighter weight steel alloys for increasingly more components of the truck, hood, doors, tailgate. GMC now offering a carbon fiber bed option. Spray in bed liner will mitigate most if not all the potential issues from abusing the aluminum bed, much in the same as we've done for years past with steel beds.

I'm with you on the concept of going aluminum.... (steel & aluminum never did mix). Not enough expertise & technology out there in todays body shops to chance buying today's aluminized trucks. My experience with ford going Aluminum is limited.....
My immediate thoughts were (& still is) all mfg. over the years are making these trks. bigger & bolder looking (adding weight)......The day of buying a truck only for work disappeared a long time ago....Seems almost everyone has some kind of truck in their stable... In Ontario Canada we have a license plate system where as we can license a F150 truck for 3000 kg for about $100.00 per year (3000 kg = 6,633.)...........However my S/crew 4x4 with a 6.5 box weighs in (new & without anybody or load) @ 3009 kg,,,,,,So I can't license it @ 3000 & must go to 3500 kg @ a cost of $265,00 cdn!!! I'm thinking because of weight etc.that is why you see a lot of 5.5 boxes being sold (& also S/cabs)............. With the 3000kg (about 6,633 lbs) license system & loaded up with family etc. going on vacation, & especially pulling some kind of trailer these trucks are somewhat grossly overloaded even if it's for only 2 weeks or so of the year.....for Ford to sell these trks to all of the market & of course in the name of fuel efficiency they converted to using aluminum!! Just my thoughts but I'm convinced that is their marketing ploy to sell their product !!

Hello! Just my $.02, but I had a 2016 F150 XLT and I thought it was an amazing truck! The aluminum held up well to my abuse and handled almost everything that Alaska could throw at it. However, it was totaled in Canada while I was moving from Alaska back to the lower 48. The aluminum structure saved the lives of myself, my dad, and my dog. So, for what it is worth, I think that the aluminum is an alright material for a pickup.

After the accident, I bought a 2014 FX4 steel body because it was cheaper and fully loaded with low miles. Either way, both trucks are great and I don’t really miss my 2016 because my 2014 is just as awesome! Just my $.02.

I bought a 13 instead of a 16 to avoid the even cheaper interior on the newer gen. Aluminum didn't matter so much.

maco, not everyone agrees with you about body shops:

The hood on our trucks is aluminum so are many other Fords and have been for years.
.

I looked for an 09-14, I wasn’t sold on aluminum or the looks of the 15+ style. It’s grown on me in the last little while but I couldn’t afford the package I wanted in a 15+ truck and bought my 12 in 2015.

The aluminum doesn't scare me in the least. As far as the "looks" of the truck I realize it is all subjective but I don't think the 15 and up trucks "look" any better than the 11-14 trucks, just different. And to my eye I have a slight preference for the older body style. The 11 and 12 models were the 1st 2 years of a new design and while they are generally just fine the 13 and 14's seem to have the small glitches worked out better. I bought my 14 used 3 years ago. At 77,000 miles it stil has all of the factory parts and fluids except for tires, oil and filters. Other than that I've done nothing.

But at some point down the road it will have to be replaced. Will almost certainly go with aluminum body if I stick with Ford. If I don't stay with Ford down the road it won't be because I'm worried about aluminum bodies.