Most repairs will be full panel replacement. Quicker for the shop.

 

At a bit higher cost but should get you in and out the door much faster. The less amount of weight the better fuel economy you can get. Every pound off is worth it, and in Ford Super Duty's case it could lose a few extra pounds. Not sure how much more the trucks will be probably tack on an extra $750 for the truck compared to the 2015s. Will the Aluminum carry over to the redesign F650 and F750 trucks for 2017?

 

Wow the value of the steel body superdutys will be dropping like rocks when it comes out! Maybe I'll be able to pick up a newer one cheap since it'll be the "old tech body"

 

I highly doubt they'll drop that much. Can't get a used 2012 for under $40K with a scorpion under the hood.

 

time will tell that is for sure.

 

Heh.....I have a 07 GMC 2500 6.0 gas i bought in 08 new. powerful truck.It has the same exact problems that you mention with rusty everything!I couldnt believe it when my rear rotor rotted off the hub(actually disconnected and i removed it in 2 pieces!)One front shock rotted through to where most of the oil leaked out.And a lot of the undercarrige looks like pure crap!Ordered a new SD and the GM is going in trade.The jersey road salting-and the calcium is even more corrosive.Maybe something with the metal used by ford and gm during those years?My 01'grand marquis is in much better shape and that is lower to the road.Im going to paint everything under with rustoleum i think on this new one and then spray that oily mess fluid film on it too. Ohh gm has the submarine metal now!All the complaints they got bombarded with about rust they had to come up with some gimmick to get you commin back for more

 

The GM commercial where they tough "rolled steel" is hilarious. How do you think the sheet metal got flat? Its rolled. They are really are scraping the bottom of the barrel for naive idiots.

 

For whatever reason, GM vehicles have always seemed to rust away faster than Fords. They use thinner sheet metal to make the trucks lighter and so they tend to rust out faster. Wheel wells and tail gates seem to be the first to go on Chevy.

 

Early Bronco = rust!!!

Since then I really think Ford has tried to do better, and better than GM from what I understand. I am excited about the aluminum bodies but still want my FORD V8s! Bring on the DOHC 6.2!

 

I would urge anyone here to visit the 2015 F-150 forum and just browse through the threads. Some great info has been shared and some great myths have been busted. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum276/

Ins. premiums are NOT higher due to the aluminum body.

Ford is warrantying the paint adhesion for 5 years / unlimited miles.

There are already several youtube vids out there showing a sledge hammer test on the side of the bed and a golfer driving gold ***** into the bed of a steel and aluminum truck. The aluminum is pound for pound stronger and it has more give before actual damage occurs.

 

I'm all for improved fuel economy and greater payload capacity but one thing worries me, a lot.

I drive a super duty because I tow trailers. These trucks are the most stable tow vehicles I've ever driven. I've always thought that the outstanding road manners of these trucks while towing is due to the weight of them. My 2015 f-350 weighs 9,000 lbs. it handles trailers great.

If they make the super duty lighter will that mean that we will lose the stability while towing heavier trailers? I REALLY don't want to see the SD become a tow vehicle that causes "white knuckle" while towing.

My previous F250 handled trailers better than the Chevy 3500 dully I had, hands down.

Either the weight is making these trucks better than the competition or it's something else, I dunno.

 

I'm not sure, but I don't think the F150's towing manners have changed with the aluminum bodies, I haven't heard any complaints anyway. I doubt it will lose enough weight to affect the characteristics that you describe, it'll never be accused of being a nimble vehicle, I think all we will see is better performance, fuel economy and greater payload from the proposed change.

 

My 2003 F350 only weighed 7200lbs and it towed fine and handled my camper fine as well. Shouldn't be an issue if they lose 700-1000 lbs.

 

Must be the newer trucks (Ford OR GM). I have a 1994 GMC Yukon (hence my screen name) that's in better shape ((undercarriage) than my 2008 F-350..and that old Ykon has plowed snow for over 20 years. I understand, from the comments I've seen that GM may be no better than Ford NOW, but Ford trucks from 1994 are WAY worse than my old GMC. I don't know what the solution is now except aftermarket fixes for something the manufactures should be doing. Ifully understand the expense issues and keeping the cost down, but at the expense of quality? Thanks to everyone for the insights...

 

i havent seen a truck with thick sheetmetal since the 70s, dont fool yourself to thinking any of them are any good.