Meaning of Tough Redefined. Forever.
Yesterday’s meaning of tough — heavy strength — has changed forever with high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy replacing conventional steel in the cab/bed of the stronger yet lighter Ford F-150.60
Not aluminum in the household sense, but heat-treated and hardened aluminum alloy — the same high-grade 6000-series used in big military and industrial applications. Idea became reality with new computer-aided design technology followed by F-150 prototypes subjected to over 16 million cumulative kilometres of torturous testing on Ford proving grounds and real world job sites. Today, yesterday’s old meaning of tough lies far behind in the F-150 driver’s rearview mirror.
High-Strength, Military-Grade60 , Aluminum-Alloy Body
Doing something the right way often results in multiple benefits. Case in point: going from steel to
high-strength, military-grade60
, aluminum alloys in the F-150 cab and bed. Hardening aluminum alloy through heat-treating produces greater strength. Working with aluminum alloy also allows engineers to increase gauge (or thickness)
where needed to achieve extra strength without increasing weight. The stronger F-150 weighs up to 700 pounds less than the previous generation, resulting in greater power-to-weight ratio, enhanced fuel efficiency, plus higher max payload and tow ratings that are best-in-class*. Yet another benefit — resistance to dents and corrosion.
*Max towing on F-150 XLT SuperCrew®, 6.5’ box, 3.5L EcoBoost, 4X2 and Max Trailer Tow Pkg. Not shown. Max payload on F-150 XL Regular Cab, 8’ box, 5.0L, 4X2, Heavy Duty Payload Pkg. and 18” Heavy Duty Wheels. Not shown. Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. (3,855 kg) GVWR based on Ford segmentation.
Fully Boxed High-Strength Steel Frame
The fully boxed frame is made of more high-strength steel (up to 78 percent at 70,000 psi) and larger cross sections than frame in the previous generation. And while stronger and more rigid, this frame is also lighter by up to 60 lbs. (27 kg)* because many of the components are fabricated using the state-of-the-art roll-forming process that minimizes weight.
*Over the previous generation.
F-150 Off-Road
Shifting into four-wheel drive is as easy as turning a dial with the electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) system. ESOF lets you choose between two 4-wheel-drive modes (4x4 low or high) as well as 2-wheel drive. LARIAT, King Ranch™
, Platinum, Limited and Raptor models also include an automatic 4WD mode. The FX4 Off-Road Package includes electronic-locking rear differential (locks the rear axle completely for enhanced traction at both wheels)10
, Hill Descent Control™
10
, off-road tuned shock absorbers, skid plates, and “FX4 Off-Road” decal. Plus, the available 360-degree camera with split-view display10
is helpful when you’re manoeuvring in tight spaces and on off-road trails.
F-150 Raptor
F-150 Raptor can take on the most unforgiving terrain a truck can set its tires on through. Today’s leaner and meaner Raptor is nearly 500 pounds (226 kg) lighter than the previous generation with its high-strength, military-grade, aluminum body plus high-strength, fully boxed steel frame. Power is supplied by a twin-turbo, dual-direct and port fuel-injected 3.5L EcoBoost®
with 10-speed automatic delivering a massive 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque. Extreme off-road capability comes courtesy of features such as the TORQUE-ONDEMAND®
* transfer case and FOX Racing Shox™
**. For a conventional 4-wheeler, this kind of off-roading is off limits. For the Raptor, it’s a routine day of play.
*TORQUE-ON-DEMAND® is a registered and active trademark of BorgWarner.
**FOX Racing Shox is a trademark of FOX Factory, Inc.