I saw a very brief article on the "new" F-150 due to make its debut later this month at some auto show.
Anyone know anything about it?
The article said there would be extensive use of aluminum and see a 3 MPG improvement but there were no pictures

 

I don't think that any hard facts will be released until the auto show happens. The only info that we have to go on right now is what the truck journalists are reporting.

 

The more aluminum is added the these trucks, we'll be finding parts of our trucks missing as the thieves scrap it.

 

Ford is debuting the truck at the Detroit Auto Show next week.

 

I have heard the aluminum / weight reduction will be for the 2015 model.

 

In the article I read Ford decided to debut the F-150 early to steal some of the "thunder" from the new Silverado debut

 

Weight reduction to increase MPG is a good measure, HOWEVER ... You don't have to wait until 2015 (or 2014) to reap the benefit. You can take measures now.

• when driving is mostly local, non-hauling ...
  • maintain a ½ tank of fuel - in the case of a 36Gal tank - weight reduction = 112Lbs
  • remove the spare - weight reduction = ~85Lbs
  • remove the bed mat - weight reduction = ~75Lbs
  • remove the bed's hard tonneau - weight reduction = ~75Lbs
• General
  • remove any unnecessary clutter, junk, etc. from the bed and cabin.
    etc., etc., etc.

It's relatively easy to drop 300-400Lbs WITHOUT any radical measures.

Weight reduction is but one part of increasing MPG. More gains can easily be realized by common sense.

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Remember though ... There's only so much you can do with a 6500Lb vehicle (in the case of a highly-optioned 4X4), but ... Every litter bit helps.

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-click- the pic'
Goth 150
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