F150 "tow" and "non-tow" frames plus delay due to alum

[bogeypro]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/12/exclusive-next-generation-ford-f-150-delayed-by-nearly-three-months-due-to-aluminum-issues/

 

interesting article....

 

I found it interesting that they mentioned f150 had a tow and a non-tow frame. I guess that would be the 700lb lighter version.

 

 

[mike94silverado]

non-tow frame..... This isn't going to end well. I see the concept but when people overload their trucks the way that they do, (I mean, I was guilty of buying a 4.8 powered truck and throwing a heavy trailer on it so even though I've learned I understand the mentality) The frames have always been the same. you could have a truck built with the lightest engine/rear end for towing but that frame was the same duty as the largest towing combo..... I don't know I just think it's going to be a joke....

 

Time will tell if the colorado/canyon concept can work. Ford could have brought the "Global" ranger here as an F-100 (and kept their bullshit sales crown by calling it an F series) and offered a midsize truck for people who don't need all the capability a half assed F-150 with weaker guts, don't get how that's supposed to work

[dirtfan21]

I think the frames are the least of their worries right now. To me it sounds like they fabricated aluminum panels in design but now Alcoa cannot produce these said panels as designed. This could be a HUGE blow to Ford if they are asking for something that cannot be mass produced in a timely manner. I'm curious if the aluminum is tearing due to the dyes.

[SILVERADOSC540]

Excellent article, thanks Preston. I'm not a Ford guy but it would be a shame to see them screw this up. Like it or not, the f-series pickup truck is Americana, part of the fabric that makes up our country and a benchmark that has kept GM, Dodge and now Toyota not only on their collective toes but constantly looking to improve it's trucks.

I've been working hard to be a part of these new trucks, if it doesn't work out I guess that I'll go back to drinking bottled beer.

[Chris]

Hope the aluminum and different frames help Ford. Competition is good. It is what causes better products to be made

[kstruckcountry]

Honestly is loss of weight such a good thing? Weight = smooth ride

[MikeNH]

Honestly is loss of weight such a good thing? Weight = smooth ride

 

 

Fords run heavy. As it is a current 150 is probably 400 lbs or so heavier than a similar GM truck so this weight loss isn't as big deal as they make it out to be IMO. Ford trucks are like me, they have a weight problem.

[Imcrazy]

I think I'll keep running GM trucks.

[mike94silverado]

I'm hoping it fails and it's a miserable experience for Ford... I'm in the Steel Industry lol

[RyanbabZ71]

What happens when a frame gets switched at the factory and someone thinks they have a "tow" truck, uh oh opps

 

 

Ryan

[kstruckcountry]

Lol it will look like a raptor Ryan.

 

I can't remember ever thinking, "I wish I had a weaker frame."

[unit731]

Shades of my mid - 1980's Ford F150.

 

Paint issues.

 

Ford mailed notice to all original owners stating paint issues. All original owners got a free paint job. Done by the local dealer or dealers body shop.

 

The factory paint was not sticking to the metal.

 

From what I remember, Ford and the paint supplier knew about the issue but Ford just kept making the trucks - and would deal with the paint issue "later".

 

Back to present.

I definitely would not purchase this model the first year offered. Not a chance.

[MikeNH]

Shades of my mid - 1980's Ford F150.

 

Paint issues.

 

Ford mailed notice to all original owners stating paint issues. All original owners got a free paint job. Done by the local dealer or dealers body shop.

 

The factory paint was not sticking to the metal.

 

From what I remember, Ford and the paint supplier knew about the issue but Ford just kept making the trucks - and would deal with the paint issue "later".

 

Back to present.

I definitely would not purchase this model the first year offered. Not a chance.

 

 

My dad had a 1988 F150 that was like that. Back then a XLT Lariat just meant cloth seats, power windows/locks and fake wood around the radio.

[unit731]

Back in the 1980's.

I purchased a used F250 using newspaper classified ads. Private seller. This truck was medium/dark blue.

 

Truck was at least a few years old and had about 90,000 miles.

 

A couple months later I was in a Home Depot parking lot and parked next to another another owner of a Ford pickup truck. That person asked me if I was going to get the 'free' paint job from Ford. It was this stranger that informed me of the paint issue.

 

I contacted the previous/original owner of my truck. She told me she had received a post card from Ford about the paint issue.

 

A little investigation by me I found out that paint job was only good for first owner. Offer to original owner only.

I contacted again the nice gal that sold me the truck - and I asked her to contact Ford to obtain the free paint job.

She kindly did. She made an appointment for me at the dealership that she had purchased truck new.

The truck was examined and an appointment was made for a partial paint job. The paint was not that bad but did have some fading/discolorations.

 

I showed up for appointment. Left truck. And upon pick up of truck - the entire truck had been painted.

 

A side note. The truck body was in very good condition but did have some nicks. This body shop painted right over the nicks - without any pre-sanding. This used truck did look much better after free paint job.

 

2014.

Original posting.

Apparently Ford is having issues with the stampings of the aluminum alloy. Some current parts/panels have been manufactured out of aluminum for years. What the issue today is - I don't have a clue.

At least Ford is waiting for issues to be cleared up before manufacturing begins. But how long will Ford wait? And will the issues be completely fixed? Or will Ford - as they did in the 1980's - just give the go ahead - and begin making defective trucks?