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For has been using aluminum in some of the panels for over 10 years now. F-150's and Expeditions have had aluminim hoods since at least 2003. My 03 F-150 had an aluminum hood. There is nothing wrong with aluminum palels other than they are more expensive and a little harder to paint. but they are lighter and save fuel.
With the way the federal governments fuel economy stardards are in 2016 they will have to start doing something drastic. Im all for more aluminum and other leghter weight materials being used. Easiers on wearable parts and it will bump up the average mpg
I read an article online today. Aluminum bodies to save about 600 pounds which lets them use smaller engines. But I'm not really into the new trucks. Too pricey
Fire truck bodies have been made from aluminum since the 80's and are still going strong. I don't see any issue with aluminum being used in body panels until you need to repair a dent. But then, with the price of new trucks nowadays, I don't see myself buying a 2012 truck until the year 2032. I bought a brand new truck once, loved everything about it but the payment. I'll never do that again. I could have rebuilt my 90 three times over for what I paid in payments for a year.
You guys can have the recycled beer can trucks. I guess I'm getting old. I have a 94 F150 that I'm going through now. When she was running in he prime she got 19MPG pretty regularly. No payments and decent milage and if she is in a wreck she'll perform her last duty. Not fold up like a beer can. I'm actually looking at a 67 f250 down the road if i can get the owner to fianlly sell it to me. Its in great shape and I'm looking forward to getting her into the garage.