Tough Science Puts The 2015 Ford F-150’s Aluminum Alloy To The Test: Video

With a weight reduction of seven hundred pounds thanks to extensive use of aluminum in the body, some may question the durability of the all-new 2015 Ford F-150. But John Brenkus of Tough Science decided to put it to the test, comparing the strength of the new aluminum alloy to the industry standard steel of the previous model year F-150. As the creator and host of ESPN Sport Science, John decided to have athletes test out the strength of each metal by having them throw pitches, take slap shots, and fire puts at the beds of both trucks.

The difference between the two metals is readily apparent when the 2013 World Long Drive Champion, Tim Burke, whacks a golf ball into the bed of each F-150 at 220 MPH. The dents in the aluminum alloy bed were 30 percent more shallow than the dents in the steel bed. So there, aluminum is tougher than steel. At least for the new F-150. As John says, “Built Ford Tough is now even tougher.”