2015 Ford F150 goes on a diet, loses 700 lbs. (Aluminum)

[user removed]

Like the old Cab over pickups, early 60s, but with front wheel drive, transverse engine and a drop beam axle in the rear with air shocks. Put an aero shell over the bed out of fiberglass that pivots in front and is removeable by one person.

regards
Mech

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by darcane

I have a 68 C10. Every time I hop in a newer truck I'm amazed at just how huge they are compared to my little classic truck.

Then consider how trucks bulked up between the mid-50s and mid-60s.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Build a Ranger out of AL. Put a 1.6 liter ecoboost engine, or a small diesel and you would have the right truck as long as it had brakes to tow.

That would make sense. In many other markets the F150 won't be available exactly because the current Ranger can perform exactly the same tasks, having either the 2.5L Duratec (in my country it's only available as a flexfuel), a 2.2L Peugeot-designed 4-cylinder turbodiesel (here it's only available for fleet, gov't, farmers or commercial operators) or the same 3.2L straight-5 that is gonna be used in the Transit van back there.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Build a Ranger out of AL. Put a 1.6 liter ecoboost engine, or a small diesel and you would have the right truck as long as it had brakes to tow. Make the bed so you can lay a 4X8 flat and close the tailgate. 40 MPG.

My dream truck is basically a Toyota Hilux, but like you mention, it should barely fit a 4x8 sheet in the bed. The bed itself should be made of a composite to keep weight down, and the cab headroom should not be much more than a typical sedan. I also require 4x4 so I don't get stuck on the grassy\swampy farmland.

I'm 6'2" and could probably comfortably wear a cowboy hat in my Dodge 2500.

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

In many other markets the F150 won't be available exactly because the current Ranger can perform exactly the same tasks, having either the 2.5L Duratec (in my country it's only available as a flexfuel), a 2.2L Peugeot-designed 4-cylinder turbodiesel (here it's only available for fleet, gov't, farmers or commercial operators) or the same 3.2L straight-5 that is gonna be used in the Transit van back there.

I wish we had a small diesel! The Chevy 1500 is now the smallest truck we can get with a diesel. Things are moving in the right direction, slowly.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

The Chevy 1500 is now the smallest truck we can get with a diesel.

But it's currently not available brand-new. And has that boat-anchor 6.5L V8

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Thenorm

i think the bed is the biggest constraint. you need to fit a 4x8 sheet between the wheel wells, so that governs your width.

Not even between the wheel wells. When I need to carry 4x8 sheets in the Toyota, I have some props (knocked together out of scrap wood) that let the sheets load level across the wheel wells. Drop the tailgate, and they hang maybe a foot off the end. Perfectly adequate for occasional loads.

But why are they so tall? 98% of trucks don't need such serious off road capability.

It's not even for ground clearance. Look at how much of the height (particularly obvious in the bed walls) is sheet metal above the frame.

Also why are the cabs so tall.

'Cause sitting up high helps inadequate people feel important. Booster seats for the ego :-)

[Xist]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I'm 6'2" and could probably comfortably wear a cowboy hat in my Dodge 2500.

You don't?!

I am pretty sure that design is intentional.

Originally Posted by jamesqf

'Cause sitting up high helps inadequate people feel important. Booster seats for the ego :-)

[Cobb]

I just wished scion would make the xp.



Scion 30MPG and a bed | Editorials Blog & Opinions at Truckin Magazine

[Frank Lee]

"Booster seat"- I'm gonna use that on somebody.

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I'm 6'2" and could probably comfortably wear a cowboy hat in my Dodge 2500.

Originally Posted by Xist

You don't?!

I am pretty sure that design is intentional.

Funny story:
Yesterday I saw 2 vehicles waiting at a cross street red light as I went past on my green. One F150 and one Mini. One driver was wearing a cowboy hat. In the Mini.