Ford aims to beef up its best-selling pickup so that every cab option is equally safe!
"Crushing" Discovery
A funny thing happened back in 2015 when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tested different variants of the new F-150. The IIHS had long focused its testing efforts solely on crew cab models prior to the debut of the all-new F-Series. Because, well, that's what the vast majority of customers buy these days. But when they tested regular and extended cab models as well, they quickly discovered that the results were quite different.
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Varied Results
Why would this be, you ask? Aren't all F-150s built the same, with virtually the same components? Well, not really. The IIHS soon discovered that Ford uses different levels of front-crash reinforcements for each kind of cab. Which, as you might imagine, led to different results in crash testing. And when the IIHS conducted its small front overlap test for each cab, they discovered that regular and extended cab models didn't perform as well as crew cab models.
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Small Part, Big Difference
Obviously, Ford wasn't going to let this revelation stand in the way of their goal to produce the safest trucks on the road. So for 2018, they made several improvements to the frame stubs on all F-150 models. The result? Improved safety ratings across the board in both offset and front crash testing. Much of the improvements come from, interestingly enough, a set of frame extenders placed across each front wheel.
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Beefy But Simple
That's not to say that these frame extenders don't look beefy because they sure do. Beefy enough that Ford decided to show off a bare F-150 frame at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. It gives us a good idea of what it takes to shore up an already strong frame for front or offset an impact. Which, really, is a just couple of high-strength steel pieces supported and connected to the front frame rails.
>>Join the conversation about the F-150 Frame Extenders right here in the forum.
Safety First!
This quick reaction to what many manufacturers could have simply ignored is what sets Ford apart from the competition. They've always been willing to take risks and move quickly to solve problems on their perennial best-seller. They listen to their customers, and they value both their opinions and how well their finished product is received. And that's what we call a recipe for success - one that spans over 40 years to date as America's best selling truck!
>>Join the conversation about the F-150 Frame Extenders right here in the forum.
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