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02-07-2015, 05:13 AM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
2008 20' Safari SE
Bangor
, Maine
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 255
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For those considering the new aluminum F-150
For those who are considering the new aluminum F150, consumer reports states that it costs the same to repair than steel bodied F150s.
Real Cost of Repairing an Aluminum-Bodied 2015 Ford F-150 - Consumer Reports
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02-07-2015, 06:26 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Lin
, Ne
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,430
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If they would make it out of ABS plastic, the hammer would just bounce off it.
__________________
The higher your expectations the fewer your options.
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02-07-2015, 09:20 AM
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#3
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r carl
If they would make it out of ABS plastic, the hammer would just bounce off it.
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Ol' Henry was working on that sort of thing in the early years of WWII. Not ABS, but a bio-plastic material made of natural fiber materials like pine pulp and hemp. His favorite demonstration of the body panels was to hit it with an axe or sledgehammer and show how it bounced off the plastic panel and damaged the steel one.
The old fox probably realized that the plastic panels wouldn't last as long out in the sun and people would be back sooner to buy his cars.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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02-08-2015, 01:00 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2012 30' Flying Cloud
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 682
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Don't believe CR. If you are just replacing parts and using the Ford dealer, then maybe the same cost. About anything else your labor costs are going up be more. Paintless dent repair will be more and the work will not look as good. (All as stated by where I have body work done)
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02-08-2015, 07:52 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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There are several reasons why bodywork and repairs WILL be more expensive on an aluminum bodied vehicle.
1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow
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The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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02-08-2015, 08:44 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 899
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Howard L i disagree with your dent less repair cost estimate on aluminum Ford is more than a steel one. We have owned several Land Rovers, a Range Rover , and two Discoveries with same construction and materials as the "aluminum Ford. Our dentlessvrepair place once told me to rub out a dent on a chevy or LR was same cost.
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JIM n CHRIS
‘62 Overlander 26 ft. ATW Yeager trailer #5289
"62 Airstream 22ft. ATW Hall trailer #83,’90 SQ Sream, ‘06 Bambi Q/S, Prevost Featherlite 45ft, GMC/ Bigfoot camper
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02-08-2015, 09:36 AM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
2016 30' Classic
The Beautiful Mountains Of Southwest
, Virginia
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 228
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Edmund's, who's business is automobile reporting, testing and the latest news, actually damaged a aluminum truck and a steel truck in the same place, the same way and then had them repaired at the same body shop. Their conclusion was that it took twice as long and cost twice as much to repair the aluminum truck vs the steel truck. They have a video and full report on their website. After talking to my friends who own the best body shop in town, I would have to agree with Edmund's. I never look to Consumer Reports for any news, especially Auto news!
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"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them." John Wayne - "JB Books" 1976.
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02-08-2015, 10:04 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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If Ford keeps the cost of aluminum panel costs in line with the steel part then the cost should be similar, shouldn't they? Is painting an aluminum panel any different than steel?
I wonder how the insurance companies will rate a 2015 F150 vs a new 2014 F150 premiums? If the cost to repair an aluminum F150 is much higher the insurance premium should be higher.
Kelvin
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02-08-2015, 10:26 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2002 31' Classic
Currently Looking...
Monroe
, Iowa
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 649
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I have a very close friend that owns a body shop. He repairs Chevys, Fords,
Dodges, Jags, Land Rovers, MB, Cadillacs, and just about everything else,and has been business for over 30 years.
He tells me that aluminum bodies take longer,and therefore cost more, to repair than steel bodies. Just a fact.
Would I buy a vehicle with an Al body? You bet.
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02-08-2015, 10:29 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,576
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Mr. Ford did build an alumium bodied model T ,a center dood sedan, I beleive about 1917....
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02-08-2015, 10:53 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Garden Valley
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,631
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When your rust bucket steel gets you down, the aluminum F-150 will still look good. I had a 1965 Landover all aluminum body and my dents took the same bondo repair.
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2008 F-250 4X4 Lariat V-10
2002 Airstream Classic 30' w/SO #2074
2007 Kubota 900 RTV
1996 Ford Bronco
2007 Lincoln LT
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02-08-2015, 11:18 AM
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#12
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E Pluribus Aluminus
2008 34' Classic S/O
1967 22' Safari
2005 30' Classic
Land Of Enchantment
, New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,300
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Rut roe... looks like this topic could become part of the endless loop thread - best hitches, tow vehicles, diesel/gas, ad infinitum...
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Jaxon
WBCCI 7005 * AIR 9218
The trouble with trouble is it always starts out as fun...
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02-08-2015, 12:08 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
2009 19' International
Woodinville
, Washington
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 191
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For What It's Worth: This "ding" in my aluminum Airstream cost $11,000 to repair
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DonS
"It's like magic, only real"
(Bud Light commercial)
Women and cats can do as they please, while men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.(R. Heinlein)
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02-08-2015, 01:07 PM
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#14
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Regular Guy
1978 31' Sovereign
Hot Springs
, Arkansas
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 603
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Wonder how they would look polished to match my 31?
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02-08-2015, 01:08 PM
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#15
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Dazed and Confused
Currently Looking...
1983 31' Airstream310
Hillsburgh
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,805
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KJRitchie
If Ford keeps the cost of aluminum panel costs in line with the steel part then the cost should be similar, shouldn't they? Is painting an aluminum panel any different than steel?
I wonder how the insurance companies will rate a 2015 F150 vs a new 2014 F150 premiums? If the cost to repair an aluminum F150 is much higher the insurance premium should be higher.
Kelvin
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Aluminum is a lot harder to paint than steel....just ask anyone who has their trailer or MH quoted for paint. The chemicals needed to etch the aluminum to accept paint are very caustic and bloody expensive; that's why aircraft paint jobs are so crazy expensive.
If it's done on a mass scale with brand new aluminum like Ford is trying the costs maybe almost on par with steel, but for a body shop who's number one customer is steel, it can't be cheaper.
Insurance premiums are higher for the 2015 versus the same 2014 truck....I checked.
Cheers
Tony
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Per Mare, Per Terram and may all your campaigns be successful.
“It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.” "Harry S Truman"
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02-08-2015, 01:39 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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I have painted a ton of aluminum, by sanding well I never did NEED to use the etching primer, although I did on a few projects.
What is going to make the bodywork more expensive is that the welding tools and techniques used on steel are going to be inadequate for aluminum.
Practically anyone can learn weld in a steel replacement panel rather quickly, not so with aluminum.... Aluminum welding requires a measure of skill,,, art,,, that many wont ever master.
1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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02-08-2015, 01:54 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1967 17' Caravel
Pocatello
, Idaho
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 944
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As a non-techie, but former claim adjuster, take these comments for what they're worth:
1. EVERY new production year costs more than the last for insurance because it is new, therefore the ins co will have to pay more in case of loss.
2. Until repair shops learn how to repair aluminum and become good at it (practice makes perfect?), it will take more labor hours to repair the same damage vs. steel.
3. Over time, with good driving habits (that is, not running into people or being run into by others), the alum body will hold up much better, not to mention fuel savings from the lighter body. In other words, our 1975 Ford P/U, which has never been in an accident, would still be in pretty good shape instead of a rusted out hulk. Runs great, just looks bad.
Cheers!
Vivian
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02-08-2015, 08:37 PM
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#18
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Kingsland
, Texas
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 18
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There is no comparison to repairing an alum body that is exposed to the same that will be painted...Ret. body man
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02-08-2015, 08:50 PM
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#19
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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I rather like stainless......
Bob
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02-08-2015, 10:45 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Landshark
3. Over time, with good driving habits (that is, not running into people or being run into by others), the alum body will hold up much better, not to mention fuel savings from the lighter body.
Vivian
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Fuel savings from a marginally lighter body will also be marginal (some specs say ~80lbs difference between Alum Ford and Steel Chev).
Time will tell if the Al body will hold up better or if the paint will stay in good condition without extra care.
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2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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