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

[Deleted member 3063]

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

And yet the Broncos skin is all aluminum.

Here are some pics of the chassis from Celebration East.

and people wonder why Bronc weighs so much, stout.

Sponsored

 

[Bullseye]

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.

 

[Beachin 74]

I went to the landfill last week. My aluminum bodied 2015 F-150 crew cab 4wd empty weighs 5300 lbs. with a 1/2 tank of gas.

 

[mkennedy009]

This is good new, my Corona belly will off-set the weight savings.

 

[MaverickMan]

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.

Im a casual investor. I dont have enough to invest enough, to make any income off my investments. More of a fun savings account that will one day leave me enough to buy a fun car when I'm old or a story to complain to people about because that damn company took my money and ran way back in 2020.

 

[Laminar]

Imagine being able to cut a third of the weight from major structural components of a vehicle without losing strength and you can see the potential here.
...
As advanced as these materials are, however, these new steels are only being used in small quantities on the Bronco—around five percent of the total steel used. This may not sound like a lot, but Lizak estimates it represents something like 150 pounds of weight savings. Try lifting a 150-pound weight into your trunk and you tell me if it makes a difference.

If 150lbs is the weight savings after a 1/3 reduction in weight, then the total weight of the "special" steel is 450lbs. (150 is 1/3 of 450). So the Bronco is using 300lbs of this special steel.

If 300lbs of special steel constitutes 5% of the total steel used by weight, then the Bronco contains 6000lbs. of steel alone (300 is 5% of 6000).

Sounds like some gross exaggeration going on here.

 

[Villagevip]

"Arcelormittal" Worlds largest mining, manufacturer of high quality steel..Mittal an Indian, born in 1950 owns 38% of Arcelormittal, Based in the U.K...So, steel not shipped in from China.... : )

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

"Arcelormittal" Worlds largest mining, manufacturer of high quality steel..Mittal an Indian, born in 1950 owns 38% of Arcelormittal, Based in the U.K...So, steel not shipped in from China.... : )

MT's HQ is in Lux, not U.K. You are correct, though, they have no major manufacturing presence (yet) in China.

 

[RockEye]

I said it before in a previous thread but I'll say it again because it's relevant. When I was in aerospace, I used to test materials for manufacturing. I never once failed ArcelorMittal material. They also do make a lot of material here in the USA. You had to have US mill material for certain customers.

 

[broncosor]

Nice BS, but fact is the Bronco is too heavy. Much heavier than a Wrangler and having payload issues already.

 

[Itchysquatch]

Nice BS, but fact is the Bronco is too heavy. Much heavier than a Wrangler and having payload issues already.

The payload issues will certainly raise flags for the overland folks (myself included). Useful load isn’t so hot at 1370 for the 4 door, but is more than the jeep and keep gladiator (although less than the Tacoma, depending on config, and 4runner). That 1370 is off of fords media kit site, and I have no idea how options change that number.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I guess I'm too old to understand what this is supposed to mean.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

One downside of aluminum body panels is that you can’t stick magnetic body armor on them. With the Jeep JK (and previous models) you could easily stick magnetic armor on the doors and fenders to prevent trail rash. The panels could then be easily be removed after a trail run.

My Wrangler JL and Raptor both have trail rash all over from all these Colorado trails. I’d very much welcome a return to steel construction.

Sponsored