Thin sheet metal
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2012
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Thin sheet metal
Today while I was washing my 2011 I noticed that the indent on the passenger side of the bed right below the "4X4" sticker was more curved than the indent on the driver side...
Makes it look like it's dented but it's not. I'm pretty sure that place had ever got hit...
I can't believe that both sides are not the same
Makes it look like it's dented but it's not. I'm pretty sure that place had ever got hit...
I can't believe that both sides are not the same
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
I used the bed front tie downs and the sheet metal was so flimsy that I was afraid the loops were going to tear out of the bed.
One of the reasons I bought this truck is because when I looked at the hauling specs I was really impressed it was pretty much equivalent to my old Superduty. LOL! Only on paper, my friend.... only on paper. Good thing I didn't really need the Superduty anyway.
One of the reasons I bought this truck is because when I looked at the hauling specs I was really impressed it was pretty much equivalent to my old Superduty. LOL! Only on paper, my friend.... only on paper. Good thing I didn't really need the Superduty anyway.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 911
From: Montana
I used the bed front tie downs and the sheet metal was so flimsy that I was afraid the loops were going to tear out of the bed.
One of the reasons I bought this truck is because when I looked at the hauling specs I was really impressed it was pretty much equivalent to my old Superduty. LOL! Only on paper, my friend.... only on paper. Good thing I didn't really need the Superduty anyway.
One of the reasons I bought this truck is because when I looked at the hauling specs I was really impressed it was pretty much equivalent to my old Superduty. LOL! Only on paper, my friend.... only on paper. Good thing I didn't really need the Superduty anyway.
Pretty sure they use the same gauge steel on the 150s and Super Duties. All manufacturers have gone to thinner gauged steel in an effort to reduce weight. If you think the bed hooks on an f-150 are flimsy, just look at a GM... Those things fall apart just looking at them.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 7
Yeah I'm not a fan of this new ''thinner'' sheet metal. But unfortunatly it is what it is. The days of thick metal cars have come and gone.
Some will try and argue that the new sheetmetal is more dent resistent then the old thicker sheetmetal...But that just sounds like a false selling point to me.
Personally I would rather take the 1-2mpg hit and just have good old thick sheetmetal like you would find on a 1940 Ford.
Some will try and argue that the new sheetmetal is more dent resistent then the old thicker sheetmetal...But that just sounds like a false selling point to me.
Personally I would rather take the 1-2mpg hit and just have good old thick sheetmetal like you would find on a 1940 Ford.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,035
Likes: 1,523
From: Maine, Virginia
In 1995 I totaled my 1986 F-150 on the freeway by hydro-plaining into the back of another early 80's F-150 that was stalled out. These trucks were perhaps the last of the heavier built modern trucks and I took the entire impact.
Not a scratch on me but I'm still experiencing joint pain in the wet and cold. The truck was totaled because of it's age and the fact that the frame was tweaked between the cab and bed. This truck had no crumple zone and no give anywhere.
I'm no real fan of the thinner metals either but, I think I would have come out better in my 2011 than I did in my '86. I may not have a lifetime of joint pain.
Not a scratch on me but I'm still experiencing joint pain in the wet and cold. The truck was totaled because of it's age and the fact that the frame was tweaked between the cab and bed. This truck had no crumple zone and no give anywhere.
I'm no real fan of the thinner metals either but, I think I would have come out better in my 2011 than I did in my '86. I may not have a lifetime of joint pain.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 7
In 1995 I totaled my 1986 F-150 on the freeway by hydro-plaining into the back of another early 80's F-150 that was stalled out. These trucks were perhaps the last of the heavier built modern trucks and I took the entire impact.
Not a scratch on me but I'm still experiencing joint pain in the wet and cold. The truck was totaled because of it's age and the fact that the frame was tweaked between the cab and bed. This truck had no crumple zone and no give anywhere.
I'm no real fan of the thinner metals either but, I think I would have come out better in my 2011 than I did in my '86. I may not have a lifetime of joint pain.
Not a scratch on me but I'm still experiencing joint pain in the wet and cold. The truck was totaled because of it's age and the fact that the frame was tweaked between the cab and bed. This truck had no crumple zone and no give anywhere.
I'm no real fan of the thinner metals either but, I think I would have come out better in my 2011 than I did in my '86. I may not have a lifetime of joint pain.
I wish I could feel confident that my 2011 would be the same way...But I'm almost certian the nickle sized hail would put noticeble dents in its sheetmetal.
I also think its worth noting that the sheetmetal on the 2009+ models seem's ''excessivly'' thin...I was taking notice of my friends 2004 F-150 the other day and when I compared his sheetmetal the sheetmetal on my 2011, his truck seemed to have thicker metal with less give than mine.
Seems like this is mostly an issue with the 2009+ trucks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,475
Likes: 727
From: Calgary Canada
In 1995 I totaled my 1986 F-150 on the freeway by hydro-plaining into the back of another early 80's F-150 that was stalled out. These trucks were perhaps the last of the heavier built modern trucks and I took the entire impact.
Not a scratch on me but I'm still experiencing joint pain in the wet and cold. The truck was totaled because of it's age and the fact that the frame was tweaked between the cab and bed. This truck had no crumple zone and no give anywhere.
I'm no real fan of the thinner metals either but, I think I would have come out better in my 2011 than I did in my '86. I may not have a lifetime of joint pain.
Not a scratch on me but I'm still experiencing joint pain in the wet and cold. The truck was totaled because of it's age and the fact that the frame was tweaked between the cab and bed. This truck had no crumple zone and no give anywhere.
I'm no real fan of the thinner metals either but, I think I would have come out better in my 2011 than I did in my '86. I may not have a lifetime of joint pain.
Myself, I'm glad the one car I've ever been in a serious accident in crumpled up like an accordion. Total write-off to that car, but no lasting damage to the occupants.
I don't mind shopping for a new vehicle with insurance money.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 250
You bring up a good point. The newer trucks...Lets say 2004+...Are really solid ''underneith'' the fully boxed frame does wonders for saftey and strength. My biggest issue with the new thin sheetmetal though doesn't pertain to having an accident so much as does to something like say...A minor hailstorm. My old 1990 F-150 I had back in highschool went threw several hailstorms ranging from pea sized to nickle sized hail. After it was all said and done you would never have known the truck had just been threw a hailstorm.
I wish I could feel confident that my 2011 would be the same way...But I'm almost certian the nickle sized hail would put noticeble dents in its sheetmetal.
I also think its worth noting that the sheetmetal on the 2009+ models seem's ''excessivly'' thin...I was taking notice of my friends 2004 F-150 the other day and when I compared his sheetmetal the sheetmetal on my 2011, his truck seemed to have thicker metal with less give than mine.
Seems like this is mostly an issue with the 2009+ trucks.
I wish I could feel confident that my 2011 would be the same way...But I'm almost certian the nickle sized hail would put noticeble dents in its sheetmetal.
I also think its worth noting that the sheetmetal on the 2009+ models seem's ''excessivly'' thin...I was taking notice of my friends 2004 F-150 the other day and when I compared his sheetmetal the sheetmetal on my 2011, his truck seemed to have thicker metal with less give than mine.
Seems like this is mostly an issue with the 2009+ trucks.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 7
When Ford went to a fully boxed frame on the 2004 F-150's it increased their curb weight substantailly. But well worth it IMO.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 250
all the electronic gizmos that the new vehicles have also add quite a bit of weight.
