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Ford test truck catches fire

RyanbabZ71

By RyanbabZ71
in Future GM News & Rumors

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Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

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Dang, never saw a total cremation of a vehicle before...without outside help that is...

 

Did they pull the engine and such out of the ashes or something?

 

I would imagine that if it was left to burn out on its own, all that would remain would be the rolling chassis minus tires and aluminum wheels. Truck very likely had aluminum body panels, and aluminum melts at about half the temp of steel. They likely picked up all the big pieces on a flat bed, and came back later to pick up the stuff in the last picture.

 

As has been said a couple of times in this thread, what happened is exactly what they hope happens. QA testing is not considered successful unless something like this happens. Doubt we will ever know what the cause was. I think Ford likely bought the rights to that video and it will not be made public until it cannot cause any negative public opinion.

 

I have always wondered why the Pinto is the default "go to" example of vehicles that burst into flames upon collision when the 73 to 87 full size GM pickup trucks with the side saddle fuel tanks had 20 times more deaths due to fuel tank fires than the Pinto did. The Dateline NBC show fiasco did not change the actual number of deaths, but did reverse public opinion on the facts. The Vega of the same era as the Pinto also had the same fuel tank exposure to rear end collisions, along with the same chance of fire, but, somehow managed to escape publicity.

MikeNH Senior Enthusiast

MikeNH

Posted
Posted

Now that more pictures are out something is not right about this truck. Fire was way too intense compared to a typical car-b-q you see everyday. The melt down is what you would see on a composite vehicle. There are some really high tech metals and other materials involved in this test mule.

Magnesium will do that. Burns hot and violent. Pretty sure titanium will too.

Spurshot Senior Enthusiast

Spurshot

Posted
Posted

This picture was shot less than a mile up the road from the Emigrant Campground looking northeast on highway 190, just before Emigrant Canyon Road. (going looking into Death Valley)

 

There's no Titanium in any of these pre-production Fords. Way too expensive. It's been announced that they will have aluminum cabs already. Aluminum will melt to a puddle in a typical gasoline fire. If you've ever been to a few airplane accidents you'll recognize the complete meltdown of aluminum near any fuels.

RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

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Magnesium will do that. Burns hot and violent. Pretty sure titanium will too.

You don't put a magnesium fire out with water it makes it worse

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted

Now that more pictures are out something is not right about this truck. Fire was way too intense compared to a typical car-b-q you see everyday. The melt down is what you would see on a composite vehicle. There are some really high tech metals and other materials involved in this test mule.

 

Ford has been advertising the use of aluminum body panels on the 2015 F-150 for many months now. Not much of a reach to think that the 2016 HD models will also start getting aluminum body panels. This is done to reduce weight. Use of aluminum for body panels is not new, it has been used for decades in motorhomes, buses, dump trucks, race cars, factory lightweight drag cars, etc. How well it stands up to fire will depend on the alloy.

okfoz Enthusiast

okfoz

Posted
Posted

Actually Aluminum on Factory cars goes way way back, I have heard of a lightweight version of a 1963 Impala that you could have gotten all aluminum panels up front from the factory... I cannot confirm that however.

 

I do know for certain that the 1982 Firebird Trans Am had an optional Aluminum Hood. These are Very very rare to find, ( I had one ) but they turn up ever now and then. The option was dropped early in production for some reason that was never disclosed.

 

My 1995 Buick Riviera had an aluminum Hood, as did my wifes 1998 Chevy Venture, and 2006 Buick REndezvous. THe Solstice and Sky both used all aluminum panels. My 77 Buick Electra used Aluminum bumper supports, as does my 83 Trans Am.

 

The Lotus Elise was all aluminum chassis and body IIRC...

 

So Aluminum is not new on cars by any stretch of the imagination. THis one just lit up like a candle.

Amiodynski Enthusiast

Amiodynski

Posted
Posted

I just read the article. Crazy

 

 

 

Andy

Cowpie Senior Enthusiast

Cowpie

Posted
Posted

You would be correct. I remember that one form the 80's / early 90's.

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