Which Is Crazier? Sledgehammering A New Aluminum Ford F-150 Or The Repair Bill?

Ever since Ford Motor launched the industry’s first aluminum-bodied pickup truck, skeptics have wondered what it would cost to repair damage to the F-150′s “military grade aluminum” panels after a crash.

Now, thanks to a clever stunt by the folks at Edmunds.com, we have a good idea. And it’s not pretty.

Editors at the consumer advice website bought a $52,000 F-150 4X4 Super Crew for their long-term test fleet, then promptly took a sledgehammer to the rear quarter panel — twice — intentionally denting it so they could investigate the repair costs. (My first thought was, “Brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?!”)

Edmunds’ goal, in the name of consumer awareness, was to test the theory that it’s more expensive to repair an aluminum truck than a steel one. Their answer? Way, way more. (There are a few flaws in their approach, however, which we’ll get to later.)

TheSteve - 1/30/2015 1:35:11 PM

+5 Boost

Almost $1000 to replace a broken tail light on a pickup truck. That's insane.

Sciros - 1/30/2015 2:13:08 PM

-1 Boost

The tail light housing has a bunch of other stuff in it; that's why. Not too surprising.

joescuba - 1/30/2015 3:37:56 PM

+1 Boost

They should compare this with a 2014 steel body F150 for a fair comparison. The cost of a tail light to the real shocker to my.

Sciros - 1/30/2015 3:53:58 PM

0 Boost

Yeah that's what the article said -- that they should have compared it to the 2014 model.