Just a few comments:

Yep, the C-130 PROGRAM is over 50 years old. Yes, they're made out of aluminum. However, the oldest aircraft still flying (most of the oldest herkybirds have been retired) have been essentially remanufactured and upgraded repeatedly throughout their lives.


Same goes for the B-52, except those birds have been rebuilt more often.


Can someone tell me the alloy number that goes with "military grade"?

Didn't think so.

As to the intelligence of their metallurgists, evidently they couldn't bloody well figure out dissimilar metal corrosion on the FPDMs.

 

6061 should be "mil-spec"

and yea, the B52 is a bad example, numerous revisions since conception. the early ones had issues with the tails falling off.

I do believe aluminium is a great step in the right direction, and have no doubts to it being superior... but I too like others have stated am not a fan of a first year vehicle, no matter the make or model.

 

When I saw the ATLAS, I said 'WOW' what a beautiful truck!!!!!.


Now I see the 2015 F150 and there is something missing????? Front looks like a Tundra. Beltline looks to low. Dunno, maybe it will grow on me. But for now and the forseeable future, my 2013 FX4 is staying in my driveway.


Maybe a level and bigger tires would help?????????????????

 

6061 is listed as a general purpose alloy...doesn't exactly seem like anything outstanding.

Point being, the military specs things depending on their use. The lining on an MRE main course baggy is aluminum, it's military equipment, therefore "military grade".....don't think I want a truck made out of that.

It's a marketing term, and you guys swallowed the bait whole.

 

its not about swallowing bait... if you want an f150, its now aluminum of some type, so we have to deal with that or go somewhere else. as someone else said, I don't think Ford is looking to shoot themselves in the foot with one of their biggest money makers and risk a mass exodus. I have at least a little faith in them making a solid attempt at a solid product. My bigger hope/concern is they make an SVT variant, in 2016-2017 when I am ready to go truck shopping again.

 

I agree. There's something missing for sure. The stance isn't right.

 

I said the same thing. I loved the Atlas concept. Then they come out with this "thing"? I know that you can't please everyone with one design but considering how much positive attention Atlas got why would they deviate so much. The production grille is hideous compared to the concept. Like others have said once the mods start maybe it'll look good. Maybe PTM the grille and see how it looks then.

 

Alcoa did a $100 million new line just to roll more of the stuff for Ford.

 

Id rather see a "race spec" 7075, but thats hard to press and super expensive, i dont like the new trucks front end at all. The interior looks nice but ive yet to see the lower level trims.

 

My point wasn't about the use of aluminum in the trucks, it was about the parroting of the Ford marketing line that they're using "military grade" aluminum in the trucks.

It's an absolutely meaningless marketing slogan.