New Ford F-150 Pricing announced

[CJ]

All that stuff is pretty light it seems to me. A 2.7L V6 vs. 5.0L V8 is going to be quite a difference, esp as it concerns other items as smaller transmission case, smaller front springs, etc.

I've helped remove both full-size pickup cabs (stripped) and beds before - four average strength guys can easily do it - so what's that ~500-600 lbs each? Granted these were older trucks, like '70s Fords and Dodges, which weren't as big/beefy as the average 1/2-ton today (including not being extended/crew cabs). Even so I'd bet there isn't more than 2,000 lbs of steel in the body of the average modern 1/2-ton pickup.

Aluminum is roughly 1/3rd the density of mild steel but also has roughly only 1/3rd the modulus of elasticity which generally means to retain the strength/stiffness/safety you're gonna have to use much more AL, so weight savings is mostly certainly not 2/3rds. Could they get 1/3 weight savings (of my est. ~2,000 lbs)? Maybe but as I see it Ford is going to have to come up with huge advancements in BoF chassis design (of which there haven't been any mention).

1/3 of that 2,000 lbs is right under 700 lbs, no?

[Byteme]

1/3 of that 2,000 lbs is right under 700 lbs, no?

What people are missing is the fact that a lighter body means it needs a lighter frame to carry it, lighter suspension components to underpin it.  Now, start substituting high strength steel for the usual mild steel and the weight savings goes up. 

Ford saved 40-50 lbs in the frame alone by smart design and the use of high strength steel. 

http://blog.caranddriver.com/5-cool-ways-ford-stripped-weight-out-of-the-2015-f-150s-chassis/

[hotrodalex]

Speedholes!

[MrH]

Speedholes!

[CJ]

I didn't know it was available with a panoramic sunroof. Awesome.

[68_427]

I don't. I see countless Platinum F150s and other top trim trucks daily. It just confuses me. I like the utility, and the luxury is nice...but when the $30,000 Fusion has a nicer interior, there's a problem.

I for one would rather be in the F150. 

[12,000 RPM]

wait... isnt CJ that Volvo dude

Strike his opinion from the court record pls

[TBR]

Yeah, I feel like the F-150 has a nicer interior than the Fusion.

[68_427]

Not to mention the second row has legroom that easily rivals full size luxury cars like the S/A8/7er LWB versions

[hotrodalex]

Is the Ford as roomy as the Tundra now? That thing is a full on limo.

[68_427]

Is the Ford as roomy as the Tundra now? That thing is a full on limo.

You mean the Tundra Crew Max?  That's a Mega Cab competitor.  Ford has always had the largest cab of the regular cab styles.  It's nearly as roomy without having to go to something dumb like a 4.5ft bed.

[CJ]

I like the F150 in top trim level. I just don't understand why it's as expensive as it is. The tech is available in a $20,000 Fiesta, and the leather seats can't be that expensive of an option. Why is it $60,000?

[68_427]

Because people are willing to pay that price.

[GoCougs]

1/3 of that 2,000 lbs is right under 700 lbs, no?

Yes, and Ford will IMO have to come up with a lot new in BoF chassis design to take advantage to get there. We'll see. I'm skeptical and lean toward believing that the 700 lb figure is cherry picked and that in general the weight savings will be 100 - 300 lbs.

[GoCougs]

I like the F150 in top trim level. I just don't understand why it's as expensive as it is. The tech is available in a $20,000 Fiesta, and the leather seats can't be that expensive of an option. Why is it $60,000?

Again because pickup has a lot of big expensive sub assemblies that either cost way more or simply don't exist vs. a compact; V8 engine, transmission, t-case, differentials, axles, wheels/tires, drive shaft, etc.

[MX793]

Yes, and Ford will IMO have to come up with a lot new in BoF chassis design to take advantage to get there. We'll see. I'm skeptical and lean toward believing that the 700 lb figure is cherry picked and that in general the weight savings will be 100 - 300 lbs.

The F-150 hasn't had a ground-up redesign since the '04 model, so they were certainly due for major redesign.  And they weighed two trucks of the same trim, cab/bed size, and drive configuration (minus engine) and got over 700 lbs difference.  Even accounting for different engines, the delta was still over 700 lbs.  And they didn't choose the stripper models to compare.  I don't see that as being cherry picked, nor do I see that weight delta changing much (certainly not on the order of 400-500 lbs) if they selected a different pair of the same trim level and configuration and compared those.

[veeman]

I like the F150 in top trim level. I just don't understand why it's as expensive as it is. The tech is available in a $20,000 Fiesta, and the leather seats can't be that expensive of an option. Why is it $60,000?

The same reason why the average transaction price of a Porsche 911 is over $100,000.  Porsche probably makes 30 thousand per 911 sold.  Ford probably makes 10 thousand per loaded F150 it sells.  The only reason GM is able to issue umpteen recalls and still make a profit is the cash cow the Tahoe/Yukons/Silverados are.

[12,000 RPM]

The F-150 hasn't had a ground-up redesign since the '04 model, so they were certainly due for major redesign.  And they weighed two trucks of the same trim, cab/bed size, and drive configuration (minus engine) and got over 700 lbs difference.  Even accounting for different engines, the delta was still over 700 lbs.  And they didn't choose the stripper models to compare.  I don't see that as being cherry picked, nor do I see that weight delta changing much (certainly not on the order of 400-500 lbs) if they selected a different pair of the same trim level and configuration and compared those.

But Cougs has a hunch... surely that counts more than the actual weights of the two engine-less trucks?

[Byteme]

But Cougs has a hunch... surely that counts more than the actual weights of the two engine-less trucks?

To be fair, I believe Ford has said "as much as 700 pounds.  Not that every single F-150 manufactured will be at least 700 pounds lighter.