2017 Ford Super Duty Goes Aluminum and Gets Tougher
While it should come as no surprise to avid readers of Ford Truck Enthusiasts, but the 2017 Ford Super Duty line of pickup trucks have adopted an aluminum body for the next generation of heavy-duty trucks. Like the little brother, the F-150, the Super Duty has a fully-boxed steel frame wrapped in aluminum alloy.
The fully-boxed steel frame is comprised of more than 95% high-strength steel. For those who are keeping track, that means the 2017 Super Duty’s frame is 24 times stronger. Not 24% stronger, but 24x stronger. Whoa!
The aluminum is rust proof and corrosion resistant, and significantly lighter than the steel it replaced. But with the Super Duty, some of the weight savings has been transferred to new technologies to make the truck even more capable. As a result, the weight-loss of the Super Duty is up 350 pounds, whereas the weight savings of the F-150 were up to 700 pounds.
Finally, the new Chassis Cab features a new open-C-channel behind the cab to make body modifications and aftermarket upfititng a breeze.
What do you think about the new Super Duty and its newfound strength? Let us know your thoughts over in the forums!
