Ford and Corrosion Control?

[JExpedition07]

I wouldn't consider an X5 to be a car...

I don’t see a truck chassis underneath it, certainly isn’t an SUV. Not to mention they are lightweight.

 

[Mr Shank]

I don’t see a truck chassis underneath it, certainly isn’t an SUV. Not to mention they are lightweight.

2012 Ford Expedition · Weight - 5,549 lbs
2012 BMW X5 · Weight - 4,960 lbs
I wouldn't say it's a full size like the Expedition, but it's certainly more capable than an Explorer.

 

[JExpedition07]

2012 Ford Expedition · Weight - 5,549 lbs
2012 BMW X5 · Weight - 4,960 lbs
I wouldn't say it's a full size like the Expedition, but it's certainly more capable than an Explorer.

Curb weight on my Expedition via owners manual is 5,805 pounds (4WD), and The EL with 4x4 weighs in at 6,155 pounds.

 

[LRNAD90]

LOL! Lightweight is never a word I would have associated with the X5. It is a uni-body design, not body on frame, so in that sense, not a truck no. I'm not sure I would argue its not an SUV, unless you are going to argue anything less than a full size SUV can't be called an SUV. It is a pretty robust vehicle, and believe it or not, its rated to tow 6,000 lbs, and does it very well for its size.

But we are way off this topic now..

 

[Adieu]

LOL! Lightweight is never a word I would have associated with the X5. It is a uni-body design, not body on frame, so in that sense, not a truck no. I'm not sure I would argue its not an SUV, unless you are going to argue anything less than a full size SUV can't be called an SUV. It is a pretty robust vehicle, and believe it or not, its rated to tow 6,000 lbs, and does it very well for its size.

But we are way off this topic now..

That's not saying much

E90 diesel 3series are rated to tow 4,000+ (not advertised in North America, but pushed hard in Europe)

 

[Flexpedition]

The Jeep Cherokee of 1984+ is widely considered to be one of the most capable off-roading SUVs, with its unibody and all.

I'd say the X5, with a 6K tow rating and 325 ft/lbs of torque coming from its V8 to be 100% SUV. (if 6K tow sounds familiar, thats because 6400-6600 is the Tahoes rating)

 

[JExpedition07]

LOL, id feel much safer towing 6,000 pounds with a Tahoe than with that bloated 3 series bimmer. We get it, the classic “American vehicles are inferior attitude”. I mean this whole thread is about bashing Ford for having inferior finishing practices (which they do not). Here in NY I see it all, Ford is up to par with everyone else on their corrosion resistance. I see rusty Nissans, Toyota’s, BIMMERS, you name it and Ford is no worse than anyone else. If you guys would like to hitch 6,000 pounds to the back of an expy and the bimmer go ahead and do it......I’m willing to bet one is a whole lot faster and stabile than the other....

I’ve always driven Fords and they treat me well, most of the attitude on the “inferior” quality is just lingering from two decades ago.

 

[LRNAD90]

Thanks everyone for your comments and feedback. If we decide to go this route, I can only hope the following is true, cause if it is, I may never have to buy another vehicle (our X5 was pretty darn reliable though 200K+ miles), unless I tire of it..

PS on the bright side, an Expedition will be MUCH more reliable than an X5

 

[theoldwizard1]

First, let me say that unpainted parts on the undercarriage has been common in most US vehicles for years. Most of these parts are heavy enough that some rust will not hurt them.

The one thing that US automakers have not gotten a "good hold of" is corrosion of brake lines. The good news is this usually takes well over 10 years to become an issue, even in rust belt states. (GM trucks are MUCH worse !)

The Aluminum corrosion on the hatch and hoods seems to be a pretty wide spread issue, and it seems pretty clear that Ford neither cared to fix it, nor to take care of its customers. It sounds like it’s a gamble with bad odds to purchase one and think it won’t be an issue.

OLD INFORMATION !

First, starting with 2016MY Ford DOES cover paint bubbling on aluminum body panels.

Second, when Ford started building the aluminum body F150 a few years ago, they completely changed the whole aluminum body panel process. The aluminum alloy is different (from the old one), the "pickling" (chemical applied after the aluminum is rolled out) is different, the primer is different. Most importantly, the process of stamping and finishing the panels is different (segregated from any similar operations done on steel panels).

 

[Trainmaster]

Just to add my two cents: I have a 2000 Expedition, which was driven as an emergency vehicle for its first 100K miles. It now has 235K miles, just about no rust and has been on Long Island with road salt and off road driving all its years. The cast parts, like the control arms have never been painted and have surface rust.

There's a quarter sized bubble in the paint on the aluminum hood.

I don't see any 20 year old BMW's around here on the road.

 

[Plati]

Just to add my two cents: I have a 2000 Expedition, which was driven as an emergency vehicle for its first 100K miles. It now has 235K miles, just about no rust and has been on Long Island with road salt and off road driving all its years. The cast parts, like the control arms have never been painted and have surface rust.

There's a quarter sized bubble in the paint on the aluminum hood.

I don't see any 20 year old BMW's around here on the road.

Do you attribute the no rust to anything in particular? My 2003 is a Rustbucket. I bet we use more salt up here in Rainchester area. I also rarely washed it in winter (bought new). Its never been parked in a garage, always outdoors. 180K smiles

 

[LRNAD90]

First, let me say that unpainted parts on the undercarriage has been common in most US vehicles for years. Most of these parts are heavy enough that some rust will not hurt them.


The one thing that US automakers have not gotten a "good hold of" is corrosion of brake lines. The good news is this usually takes well over 10 years to become an issue, even in rust belt states. (GM trucks are MUCH worse !)

That is pretty much confirms what I had speculated in the beginning of this thread. Seems like a calculated risk to choose not to paint or otherwise coat these items, with the assumption that corrosion will not cause any issues during the vehicle’s projected lifetime, or at least the length of the factory warranties. However you slice it, I can’t assume it was a choice that would have even been considered for anything other than cutting costs. Hopefully the gamble is good, and owners won’t have to worry about it. I remember reading an article at least a decade ago in a car magazine about how Ford had decided to stop painting ashtrays in their cars, to save $.01 per car. I’m sure skipping some undercarriage components saves them (And GM, and other manufactures that do the same) even more than that..

OLD INFORMATION !


First, starting with 2016MY Ford DOES cover paint bubbling on aluminum body panels.


Second, when Ford started building the aluminum body F150 a few years ago, they completely changed the whole aluminum body panel process. The aluminum alloy is different (from the old one), the "pickling" (chemical applied after the aluminum is rolled out) is different, the primer is different. Most importantly, the process of stamping and finishing the panels is different (segregated from any similar operations done on steel panels).

Do the 2016 and 2017 Expeditions benefit from the newer alloy as well? Is it safe to assume (hate assuming) that MY2016 and newer Expeditions have benefited from these manufacturing changes, and the widespread issues reported on earlier hatches and hoods shouldn’t be an issue as a result?

 

[Plati]

I wish this had a factory coating that kept it from rusting through into the cabin area. This is right where passenger sets foot in front seat. Truck owes me nothing, has been a great friend many years.