How To Repair Ford Truck

Repairs to Ford F-150s with aluminum body panels were expected to be significantly more than than those for steel-bodied trucks. That hasn't been the case, according to a new study. (Photo: Ford)

The toll to repair aluminum body panels on the Ford F-150 pickup truck is not as expensive as once thought, according to a new study by the Highway Loss Information Institute.

Existent-world data collected since the aluminum F-150 debuted in 2015 show that repair costs on the truck did not increase equally much every bit those of its competitors, according to the institute. The findings refute an earlier study predicting the increased utilize of aluminum would pb to expensive fixes compared with traditional steel trucks.

The HLDI compared claim severity – divers as average loss payment per claim – of 2015-16 model-yr trucks with their 2014 counterparts. That meant comparison the aluminum F-150 with its earlier steel version. The Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 kept their steel bodies in those years.

Low CLAIM NUMBERS

While merits severity for the 2015 Ram, Chevrolet and GMC trucks rose by iv to seven per centum compared with 2014 models, the 2015 F-150 increased but i per centum. Merits severity for the 2016 Ram, Chevrolet and GMC jumped past 12 to 21 percent over 2014 models, while the F-150 increased by 4 percent.

Studies past the HLDI point increased use of aluminum in luxury vehicles is associated with a higher claim severity. But Ford used several techniques to avoid that problem.

The automaker lowered the price of aluminum parts and raised the toll of those made of steel, the institute said. Ford used a modular design to simplify the repair process. And the automaker provided dealerships and trunk shops with discounts when ownership new aluminum repairing tools.

"Ford has worked to keep repair costs down for its aluminum-torso truck," said Matt Moore, senior vice president at HLDI. "But unless other manufacturers take the same steps, there's no guarantee that these results will hold truthful for time to come aluminum-body vehicles from other manufacturers."

OTHER COSTS

And while Ford'southward efforts have worked to continue claim severity down, the aluminum body comes with other costs. Aluminum F-150 models take a seven percent higher collision claim frequency, the institute said. That could mean the body is more easily damaged, the HLDI said. And repairs to the aluminum F-150 appear to take longer than those to steel trucks.

No manufacturer has adopted aluminum for pickup trucks in the fashion Ford did for the 2015 F-150.

However, partial aluminum utilise in full-size trucks has increased in recent years. The procedure, known every bit "lightweighting," aims to reduce fuel consumption while increasing maximum towing and payload capacity.

This arroyo helped the 2019 Ram 1500 reduce its weight by up to 225 pounds. And the 2019 Silverado dropped upwardly to 450 pounds.

Ryan ZumMallen May 10, 2018

The 2018 Ford F-150 Diesel combines range and refinement on a 1,000-mile road trip equally light-duty pickups comprehend the fuel.

Source: https://www.trucks.com/2019/06/04/aluminum-ford-truck-repairs-not-costly-expected/

Posted by: robinsonwhitis.blogspot.com

Share this post