the saga of a major repair to an aluminum F150

[haven]

http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/how-a-2015-ford-f-150-aluminum-repair-cost-17-000-and-1719664610

Here's the story that explains why it took a month and $17,000 to repair a badly damaged 2015 F150.

 

[justcuz]

After reading the article it seems that they had some supply issues that lead to extra cost and time while waiting for parts and those special rivets.
Hopefully as supply and production is more stable these issues will resolve themselves.
Sadly insurance work is highly inflated.
A few months ago a tow truck driver backed into my vehicle. The insurance quote was $2300.00. The owner of the tow truck company had a little mom and pop body shop that would do the job for $600.00, and he would pay for it. I was very skeptical but agreed only after I went to look at their work. When I went out to the small shop and viewed their repair work, I was convinced to allow them to do the repairs. Their quality of work and the fact that the County Sheriff's Department had a couple vehicles in there for repair made me realize these guys were capable of doing a nice repair in my vehicle.
Why is insurance work so high as opposed to cash payment. I can think of a couple reasons, number one being insurance companies would rather pay to have a door, fender, etc replaced than repaired so their customer is protected from poor workmanship. Maybe the replacement is faster than the repair. I can't be sure.
I do know that places like co-parts yards are full of easily repairable vehicles that get totaled because of high repair estimates.
In closing I had an accident with my 1993 Suburban during Thankgiving weekend 2014. A lady turned left in front of me and I broad sided her car. Her insurance company wanted to total my Suburban but I refused to allow that. The repair estimate was ridiculous, around $2100.00. I settled with them for $2000.00 and repaired the vehicle myself for $575.00. $300.00 of that was spent at the frame shop, the only new part purchased was the grille, the rest was sourced from the wrecking yard.

 

[proper4wd]

This is nothing new. There have been body shops that specialize in aluminum repair for almost 15 years. The Jag XJ that came out in about 2003 was the first all aluminum body (structure) car in "mass" production. Shortly afterwards was the Audi A8. The difference now is that its going really main stream with the F150 ("America's most popular vehicle"). Guess the majority of body shops will have to get up to speed... fast.

 

[snowblind]

This is nothing new. There have been body shops that specialize in aluminum repair for almost 15 years. The Jag XJ that came out in about 2003 was the first all aluminum body (structure) car in "mass" production. Shortly afterwards was the Audi A8.

Agreed that shops should be able to do this no problem.

Are you sure on the 2003 Jag being first? Audi A8 with aluminum monocoque body arrived in North America in 1997.



Matt

 

[east_tn_81]

Like it has been said now that it is going mainstream with the f150 this will change body shops rapidly. When Chevy change the 1500 next year it said it is going to integrate more aluminum this will only help with aftermarket supplies and aftermarket work.

 

[FordGuy1]

http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/how-a-2015-ford-f-150-aluminum-repair-cost-17-000-and-1719664610

Here's the story that explains why it took a month and $17,000 to repair a badly damaged 2015 F150.

Every body-shop thinks they can make the repairs, the reality they are way out of there league. We just spent $250,000.00 to buy and train with the necessary equipment to properly repair these trucks and be aluminum certified. The problem is these aluminum vehicles are being repaired improperly which down the road you are going to see major corrosion issues from the prep being done incorrectly, not to mention the riveting and bonding being done wrong.

 

[Root Moose]

Are you sure on the 2003 Jag being first? Audi A8 with aluminum monocoque body arrived in North America in 1997.

Acura/Honda NSX 1989.

 

[dman93]

Peterbilt and Freightliner - aluminum bodywork for decades. Probably more sold in the U.S. annually than Audi A8's.

 

[Rovertrader]

Land Rover Series and Defenders- all aluminum bodies since inception in 1948!! Left over wartime aircraft aluminum started the craze only because it was all they had...

 

[Freebird]

The point about Land Rovers being aluminum from the late 1940s is accurate, but by no stretch of the imagination could their use of aluminum at that time be called "high tech" (even for its time?....).
I don't know anything about Honda's NSX or how it is assembled, but I think a vehicle being "mass produced", and not a hand crafted low volume model does come into play somewhere in the equation.
I know the Audi A8 was considered revolutionary within the auto industry at the time of its development and introduction, and was a huge financial investment for both Alcoa and Audi (joint effort), for what that is or isn't worth.
Noteworthy is A&A's success has spured other manufacturer's to follow suite to one degree or another.

Regarding the topic of repair of the Aluminum body, there is an old adage that appears to apply.
"It is the Pioneers that take most of the arrows...."
This applies to both the manufactures and the purchasers in this case it appears.

 

[toylandcruiser]

Holy crap 70,000 dollars for an f150?


The following is a signature.
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

 

[justcuz]

Holy crap $70,000 for a 200 Series Land Cruiser that's based on a Toyota Tundra/Sequoia chassis!

 

[BruiserCruiser]

Holy crap you obviously don't know anything about Land Cruisers.

 

[OCD Overland]

True, they cost $80,000.

I think the point is that the higher end F150s are arguably as much of a luxury vehicle as the US Land Cruiser these days.

 

[justcuz]

Holy crap you obviously don't know anything about Land Cruisers.

Other than the fact that the 200 uses a Tundra frame that is 20% stronger than a Tundra? That they have catered to the high end market and have lost market share in the U.S. since then. That most of the Land Cruisers on this site are bought used. That they build a very reliable vehicle but it is becoming more of a Cowboy Cadillac than a Denali or Escalde. What more would you like to teach me?