2021 Ford Bronco's New Lightweight Steel Might Make Ford Reconsider Its Aluminum Trucks

[bronc'o]

The Bronco's seemingly basic bones are actually among the most interesting parts of Ford's new SUV—it's the first passenger vehicle to use steel alloy from ArcelorMittal that might one day supplant aluminum as the lightweight metal of choice for automakers.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/37608...ight-make-ford-reconsider-its-aluminum-trucks

Also see previous article/info: 2021 Bronco Will be First in World to Use Fortiform 980 GI Grade Steel

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[PSUTE]

Interesting. Hope it's rust resistant as well...

 

[_finack]

Isn't the thing 5300 pounds?! There is nothing lightweight about it!

 

[bronc'o]

Isn't the thing 5300 pounds?! There is nothing lightweight about it!

Ha! Maybe the rubber on the squatch-tires makes up most of the 5300lbs? ?

 

[Mattwings]

Interesting, sounds like frame rails and cross members? I know the floor is steel and most of the rest of the body is aluminum. Ford has a long history of making surprisingly heavy vehicles. My F150 in aluminum was almost the same weight as it’s still steel predecessor (I still prefer the aluminum for corrosion resistance).

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Old news but, as a long time holder of MT stock, always happy to see positive press, keep 'em coming!

 

[Broncocito]

Aluminum is a great material for weight and strength; however, body shop prices for it are much more expensive then traditional steel bodies.

 

[MaverickMan]

Interesting, Im glad your brought them up. I was looking at buying a few shares of that company a while back. And now I am reminded. If i get a stimulus check I may buy 4 shares of em. Their stock was pretty impressive before the 08 crash, maybe they have a future if this alloy works out for automakers. Their current price is around $23 in 08 it was over $200 and has languished for the last 12 years as china has been stripping the US of scrap metal. Now steel is in demand here. Some investors are bullish about steel stocks right now. We shall see. I like buying a few shares of this or that. What else am I going to do buy a half of a set of mud flaps for the Bronco.

 

[MaverickMan]

Interesting, sounds like frame rails and cross members? I know the floor is steel and most of the rest of the body is aluminum. Ford has a long history of making surprisingly heavy vehicles. My F150 in aluminum was almost the same weight as it’s still steel predecessor (I still prefer the aluminum for corrosion resistance).

I beleive its been said that the use of aluminum allows them to keep up with emission, safety, and luxury updates without increasing the weight further. Like those new fold flat seats in the F150 thats probably the difference in weight of steel vs aluminum hood and fenders.

 

[AU98]

Interesting that they are only using 5% of the total steel as the Gen 3 steel. Ford, can you use more to lower the weight so we can get roof racks.....lol too soon?

 

[Rick Astley]

The Bronco's seemingly basic bones are actually among the most interesting parts of Ford's new SUV—it's the first passenger vehicle to use steel alloy from ArcelorMittal that might one day supplant aluminum as the lightweight metal of choice for automakers.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/37608...ight-make-ford-reconsider-its-aluminum-trucks

Yup, this was covered in October on this here forum:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...rld-to-use-fortiform-980-gi-grade-steel.6706/

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Interesting, Im glad your brought them up. I was looking at buying a few shares of that company a while back. And now I am reminded. If i get a stimulus check I may buy 4 shares of em. Their stock was pretty impressive before the 08 crash, maybe they have a future if this alloy works out for automakers. Their current price is around $23 in 08 it was over $200 and has languished for the last 12 years as china has been stripping the US of scrap metal. Now steel is in demand here. Some investors are bullish about steel stocks right now. We shall see. I like buying a few shares of this or that. What else am I going to do buy a half of a set of mud flaps for the Bronco.

At the risk of going too far OT I think the bigger potential upside ahead lies more with any bipartisan infrastructure investment legislation that might get passed than a niche product/market (though long term it definitely provides promise). Accepting that the more aggressive ideas that have been floated may not make it through even a modest (by comparison) program that includes things we (the U.S.) desperately need like bridge repairs, utility grid modernization, etc. will create a substantive demand for metals suppliers. China isn't going away either and their rebound will definitely increase demand for metals.

Be aware that MT's dividend record sucks so it's purely a growth play and not an income generator.

 

[Raptor911]

what are you talking about willis? The GEN1 Raptor (screw) was 6200 pounds and the Gen2 Raptor (aluminum) is 500 pounds lighter.

Interesting, sounds like frame rails and cross members? I know the floor is steel and most of the rest of the body is aluminum. Ford has a long history of making surprisingly heavy vehicles. My F150 in aluminum was almost the same weight as it’s still steel predecessor (I still prefer the aluminum for corrosion resistance).

 

[Mattwings]

what are you talking about willis? The GEN1 Raptor (screw) was 6200 pounds and the Gen2 Raptor (aluminum) is 500 pounds lighter.

Maybe I am wrong, just my 2015 to 2018 gained weight, I had three almost identical F150s all Supercrew 4x4 4wd. One 5.0 two 2.7. 2018 is aluminum body 4912 lbs per, my 2015 was 4690 and my 2013 was the heaviest at 5580. For some reason I remembered the 13 as the lighter of the three and I knew my 18 gained from the 15.

 

[Campinguy]

Here are some pics of the chassis from Celebration East.

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