Guy I did ask has anybody have they noticed how thin the door panals are on the new trucks. But I have noticed that where the top of the door changes angle about 1 foot from the mirror on the door if you look down the side of the door it looks like the panals has a riggle in it?? You can look from the side and it looks like a dent in it has anybody noticed or is it just mine???

 

Yep, I have some "dents" waves, ect. All the sheetmetal is thinner than my 2005.

 

I would guess this was done to save weight. The body panels do not serve much of a structural purpose so technically there isn't much of a reason to have them very thick. Thinning all of the panels by a little bit could save a few pounds. Cutting weight can help increase mileage.

 

It seems like the SC are worst then the SCREWS. I guess the doors are shorter on the SCREWS.

 

thinner door skins means cheaper production costs

 

It's not just the doors. Hood, roof, everything. If the hood was any thinner, I would be afraid to raise it. They may need to go to fiberglass. Now that I think about it, the fiberglass may be heavier. LOL

 

You're right, the hoods on the F-150 have been made out of aluminum for a long time. The aftermarket fiberglass hoods are heaver than the factory hood. Why carry around extra weight that does nothing for you? (Takes off Aerospace engineer hat)

 

My main concern was the (ripple) just under the top of the door where the dip down on the door is, Maybe I am not calling it right.. It is not noticeable it you look striate on but from the side you can see it bad.. And it looks worse to me on the drivers door than pass side?? My question was is you guys with SC like this also?

 

I am working on a 2011 eco boost crew cab right now. I actually sent back the lt fender and hood because i thought they were dented. Got 2 more of each and they all had the ripples/dents in the same place. Many vehicles have the "manufacturing marks". It just seems very pronounced on these panels. Once the paint is on the vehicle it is going to stand out like a sore thumb.

 

I don't see how you guys get the new stuff right. I prefer working on my old 1954 F100 or my 65 Galaxy.

 

I always cringe when a new vehicle comes in with this type of damage. It is so new and is still worth enough money that it is going to take alot of damage to total it. I dont know that I would feel completely comfortable being in a new vehicle with less that 6k miles that has had $14k worth of work done to it.

Good thing is the damage did not go into the engine. Radiator, condensor, intercooler is as far back as it got. You can really see how the inner fender reinforcements and lower tie bar collapsed and absorbed alot of that impact energy. As well, the brackets on the frame ends collapsed. The frame rails were actually within factory spec. This gentleman rear edned a grand cherokee at a stop light. About 30mph he says. cant really be sure.

 

Oh my god. That is a mess I don't think I would won't that truck. Is getting parts for new trucks hard to get?

 

Watch you driver's door when you close it. You can see the sheet metal flexing and wobbling like crazy, especially if all the windows are closed. Amazing how thin the metal is.

 

It can be. In some cases when the vehicle is brand spanking new, like next year model new, you cant even get some parts yet because they havent even been distributed to any warehouses yet.

In this case I have 4 plastic brackets that sit over the inner fender reinforcement ends where they mount to the hinge/A Pillar. There is flexible polyurethane foam that is applied to the mounting areas of the inner fender reinf./hinge pillar. They dont actually attach to the structure but are set on top of the foam. Almost like they used them to compress the foam a little or as some kind of spacer. I am not sure. Anyways, after many phone calls to the local parts dealer and him consulting with the body shop, I have been told to attempt to save and re-use them if possible because they have not been able to obtain these as of yet. I even gave him the casting/manufacturing part numbers off the brackets with no luck. I have called multiple reputable dealers in town as well as some body shops with the same response.

 

Wow, I hate to even see it come to this. Makes ya afraid to even close the door firmly.