GM -Still Hitting 'Em Outta the Park After Gov't Bailout!

 
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plumb-r
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Post by plumb-r » Sun. Jan. 19, 2014 1:22 pm

I don't know which was worse the government bail out of GM, or the last of the government own stock finding it's way to Chinese investor's hands, at a loss no less. :mad: I just ordered another FORD for the company. The third FORD product since the bailouts. :)

 
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Post by samhill » Sun. Jan. 19, 2014 2:36 pm

I just read something about Ford coming out with an aluminum truck body, said it will help meet the MPG ratings & save on the # of fasteners needed on joining panels. Hope they remember that dis-similar metals shouldn't be fastened to one another.

 
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Flyer5
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Post by Flyer5 » Sun. Jan. 19, 2014 7:25 pm

samhill wrote:I just read something about Ford coming out with an aluminum truck body, said it will help meet the MPG ratings & save on the # of fasteners needed on joining panels. Hope they remember that dis-similar metals shouldn't be fastened to one another.
They can as long as a sealer is used between them. Aircraft builders do it all the time. But I understand your concern whether an American car company will do it correctly.


 
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Hambden Bob
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Post by Hambden Bob » Sun. Jan. 19, 2014 7:56 pm

Not to mention a few years down the road,the trouble that could develop with a Unified Grounding System spanning between a Ferrous Frame and an Aluminum Body. Like you said,Flyer,Aircraft Manufacturers have been dealing with this since before WW2. Vehicle Manufacturers handling of the issue leaves me gravely in doubt. Toss in this thought. Lighter Body Weight,and a set of Wide Tires on some Snappy looking rims. Suddenly you'll get more reports of Vehicle Loss of Control in both Dry and Rainy Road Conditions due to even more of a Bob-Tail rear end Control problem. You'll be tossing in Bed Weight to keep the grip on the road. The Manufacturer cleared Fuel Mileage specs,but you'll have to add weight to manage that Pup on the road for all occasions and situations.....Here we go,Gang ! :bang:

 
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Post by gaw » Sun. Jan. 19, 2014 10:06 pm

Big truck manufacturers have been making aluminum cabs for years. Most of the trucks you see going down the road these days are a mixture of steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic as well as unknown materials derived from reverse engineered alien spacecraft. Overall I think they do an OK job of putting it all together but you do run into the occasional water leaks and electrical problems. To be fair who knows what causes the electrical issues, modern trucks probably have far more electronics on them than today’s cars.
If a new aluminum Ford should be turned into a “carbecue” the only thing left will be the engine and frame. The body will be consumed. Gone! :shock:

 
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Post by SMITTY » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 4:32 pm

Ask Rick about all the body shop issues aluminum panels will create! :shock:

Quote from Rick in another thread:
My understanding is that it will be an aluminum cab and bed. Yep that should work out real well here in the northeast with all the brine they keep throwing down every time there is a hint of snow.

The real issue will be that aluminum requires a complete set of tools and a separate area to work on aluminum panels. Cross contamination by using steel tools on aluminum panels will create a whole myriad of problems. And a lot of auto body shops, mine included, are not set up to repair them. Plus we will need specialized training to boot. I know some of my friends who have shops set up for the aluminum cars and they had quite the substantial investment in tools and training just to be able to get certified in working on those vehicles. And that investment does not equate to the way insurers have been paying for those repairs. On a lot of the aluminum cars, the body panels are glued and riveted in place.

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