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Old 02-07-2015, 05:13 AM   #1
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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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Old 02-07-2015, 06:26 AM   #2
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If they would make it out of ABS plastic, the hammer would just bounce off it.
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Old 02-07-2015, 09:20 AM   #3
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If they would make it out of ABS plastic, the hammer would just bounce off it.
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.
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Old 02-08-2015, 01:00 AM   #4
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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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Old 02-08-2015, 07:52 AM   #5
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There are several reasons why bodywork and repairs WILL be more expensive on an aluminum bodied vehicle.


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Old 02-08-2015, 08:44 AM   #6
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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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Old 02-08-2015, 09:36 AM   #7
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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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Old 02-08-2015, 10:04 AM   #8
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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.

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Old 02-08-2015, 10:26 AM   #9
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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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Old 02-08-2015, 10:29 AM   #10
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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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Old 02-08-2015, 10:53 AM   #11
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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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Old 02-08-2015, 11:18 AM   #12
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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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Old 02-08-2015, 12:08 PM   #13
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For What It's Worth: This "ding" in my aluminum Airstream cost $11,000 to repair Click image for larger version

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Old 02-08-2015, 01:07 PM   #14
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Wonder how they would look polished to match my 31?
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Old 02-08-2015, 01:08 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KJRitchie View Post
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
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.

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Old 02-08-2015, 01:39 PM   #16
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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.


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Old 02-08-2015, 01:54 PM   #17
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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.

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Old 02-08-2015, 08:37 PM   #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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Old 02-08-2015, 08:50 PM   #19
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I rather like stainless......




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Old 02-08-2015, 10:45 PM   #20
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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
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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