Aluminum SD not for me, yet!
#91
12-26-2018, 02:57 PM
The title of the thread is aluminum sd not for me, so we assumed you had a problem with aluminum.....
#96
12-27-2018, 06:12 AM
#97
12-27-2018, 07:43 AM
Do we know what alloy Ford used for the boxed frames? I'd hope that it at least has some nickel and chromium in it to reduce corrosion. I'll check...
All Infogalactic says is "the frame is made from 95% high strength steel"
https://infogalactic.com/info/Ford_Super_Duty
.
All Infogalactic says is "the frame is made from 95% high strength steel"
https://infogalactic.com/info/Ford_Super_Duty
.
if we're going to gripe about Ford and aluminum, we're really griping about corrosion. and the long version of the corrosion problem is that Ford's engineers suck.
they are so dead-set on their ridiculous e-coat primer dip, that they've foregone any additional rust protection like galvanizing, thicker under body coatings, or rust resistant materials.
Here's a fun fact: Aluminum, despite being 'military grade' is still susceptible to corrosion if not protected. And up here in the north, our DOT's don't use table salt to clean the roads, the use magnesium chloride. That stuff works great, but it digests concrete and steel like its made of zenomorph blood. Here's a lovely little blurb about it from a recent paper that I spent all of 5 seconds googling(reference https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...1450951730030X ):
"The ability of MgCl2 to penetrate deep into the matrix of aluminum alloy poses great risk to such structural material."
keep in mind that I have no problem with aluminum as a material used in our trucks. I have a problem with Ford's consistent and wrongheaded approach to corrosion control where other companies like Toyota have gotten it nailed down pretty well in even their most modest economy cars like the Corolla. This isn't rocket science, it's just $200 of materials and labor that Ford doesn't want to spend on a rig that can top $80k.
#98
12-27-2018, 08:24 PM
Cargo Master
You know I was also surprised to learn that aluminum frame rails on semi-tractors are not unheard of either. Not real common but not at all a new thing. I doubt Ford, GM or Ram will be doing that any time soon!
#99
12-28-2018, 07:50 AM
#100
02-03-2019, 05:30 AM
After reading more of the same death wobble, leaking, freezing, and the like,
I'm going to baby the hell out of my 2013 and hope for the next major design change.
I was shooting for a new 2020, but I would be furious with myself if had to deal with
this silly crap. It's time to SLOW DOWN Ford, and get this sheet straightened out.
I'm going to baby the hell out of my 2013 and hope for the next major design change.
I was shooting for a new 2020, but I would be furious with myself if had to deal with
this silly crap. It's time to SLOW DOWN Ford, and get this sheet straightened out.
#101
02-03-2019, 07:48 AM
The "elephant in the room" is the fire risks these vehicles seem to be plagued with. This verified by the number of recalls concerning fire risks on these vehicles, including door locks, fuel tank straps, and the fuel conditioner shield. I would have expected especial care after the viral video of a test mule burning to the ground. They have a couple of years before I will be in the market, but I will be checking closely before I buy one!
#102
02-03-2019, 08:31 AM
The "elephant in the room" is the fire risks these vehicles seem to be plagued with. This verified by the number of recalls concerning fire risks on these vehicles, including door locks, fuel tank straps, and the fuel conditioner shield. I would have expected especial care after the viral video of a test mule burning to the ground. They have a couple of years before I will be in the market, but I will be checking closely before I buy one!
I have not heard of these recalls.
#103
02-03-2019, 09:43 AM
I copied and pasted links below. There are multiple sources for each recall, so I tried to link those that pertained to each specific recall. Most of these recalls are for a relatively small number of vehicles, the exception being the engine block heater recall. It is noteworthy that the recalls were made relatively quickly, but if it is your truck that catches fire, that is pretty much irrelevant!
I've seen the test mule video, but assumed Ford had corrected whatever problem started that fire. I pretty much dismissed it until a friend posted a video on Facebook of a newer SD (2017-2018) burning to the ground on a local interstate, after which I Googled "2017 Super Duty fire hazard." I have no further information about the truck in the second video, either how it was equipped, nor if it had been identified for a recall that had not been completed.https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...ine-fire-risk/
https://www.freep.com/story/money/ca...rs/2385521002/
https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/1...uper-duty.html
2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty Chassis Cab Recall
#104
02-03-2019, 10:09 AM
I really like Aluminum , my understanding is F-150 uses a thinner Aluminum than the F250 and up ... I know all the aluminum F150s at my shop look like golf ***** . We have 2 of the 2017+ F250's and they don't look too bad as far as dent collection .
Just as other users pointed out Aluminum corrodes ... Look at the F-350 and F-450 wheels from china I see a lot of those wheels with corrosion .
I'm one to hose off the underside of the trucks after a good snow with all the salt , ford did a terrible job on the paint of the 2016 and under ... Not paint on the Drive shaft ... Come on cheap *******s .
I'm in the market for a F350 SRW 6.7 but can't seem to bring my self to trade my 2016 F-450 which is a want better truck in my opinon ... Has the Big Dana S130 and basiclly the same 6.7 as in the 2017 + just not sure I want to go Aluminum .
Just as other users pointed out Aluminum corrodes ... Look at the F-350 and F-450 wheels from china I see a lot of those wheels with corrosion .
I'm one to hose off the underside of the trucks after a good snow with all the salt , ford did a terrible job on the paint of the 2016 and under ... Not paint on the Drive shaft ... Come on cheap *******s .
I'm in the market for a F350 SRW 6.7 but can't seem to bring my self to trade my 2016 F-450 which is a want better truck in my opinon ... Has the Big Dana S130 and basiclly the same 6.7 as in the 2017 + just not sure I want to go Aluminum .
#105
02-08-2019, 12:19 AM
I had two 2016 f150s, bought both brand new. The first was a 2.7tt and the engine died at 7000 miles. Ford cut me a deal and I replaced it with a 5.0 coyote. At 20000 miles had to have the drive shaft replaced. At 34000 miles just 2000 miles shy of going out of warranty it started losing coolant. Sold it and bought a 2011 f350 6.2 with 145k miles. Have been happy with it so far. Seems like ford is dropping the ball with these new trucks. One of my buddies bought a brand new 2017 f350 dully and at 2000 miles had to have the entire radiator system replaced.