Ford's F-150 Frame Extenders Look Sturdy
We're at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, which opens to the public Friday. While looking for interesting pickup truck news to share with you, we got our first look at the frame extenders Ford added across the F-150 lineup as a safety improvement.
In 2015, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety started testing all cab configurations for pickup trucks after it was discovered that F-150s had different levels of front-crash reinforcements for different cabs. IIHS' long-standing practice had been to test the high-volume crew cab and bestow its rating for that cab across the lineup. When IIHS tested regular- and extended-cab models, the results did not measure up to the rating the crew cab received in the small front overlap test.
Ford has since improved the frame stubs on all F-150 models, and the result has been improved safety ratings in front and offset crash-testing for 2018 extended- and crew-cab models. We just got an unobstructed view of the frame extenders around each front wheel, thanks to Ford's exposed chassis display in L.A. They look substantial, supported and connected to the front frame rails with high-strength steel.
Cars.com photos by Mark Williams
Comments
They do look rugged no doubt about it
Unlike that suspension, which looks cheap and wimpy.
Is that the front axle with the plastic gear actuator that frequently breaks causing the Raptor to require a ZR2 to pull it home?
Oh well, the others will be copying it soon...hey, keep following the leader for 41 yrs!...
Oh well, the others will be copying it soon...hey, keep following the leader for 41 yrs!...
Posted by: Lionel | Nov 29, 2017 10:05:31 PM
They won't have to they are already stronger than the Ford.
My 2017 F150 is sturdy enough for my use, not on the hiway enough to worry about the hi speed crash safety. Just wish the bed was stronger, the line-x helped though. The front suspension is my concern for farm use, time will tell.
Is that the front axle with the plastic gear actuator that frequently breaks causing the Raptor to require a ZR2 to pull it home?
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Nov 29, 2017 8:35:24 PM
No, that's the crash bars that make F-150 drivers more likely to still be able to walk (when compared to every other truck) if they're involved in an offset frontal crash. You're welcome for the clarification.
Any vehicle costing as much as these should get maximum scores on crash tests.
It doesn't take a physics professor to see that those are basically useless... Seriously? Those would take hardly any effort to deform...turning a Fender bender into a frame straightening experience.
Thanks to Ford, adding larger tires to the F150 means rubbing on these crash bars.
Those do not look that strong, any force will deform them and once they deform there goes the frame with it. So a minor accident that ends up deforming those bars may end up with a total frame replacement on a F150.
Good job Ford, you added some dinky bars to bandaid your crash test ratings after you got caught with your pants down.
"It doesn't take a physics professor to see that those are basically useless... Seriously? Those would take hardly any effort to deform...turning a Fender bender into a frame straightening experience."
Posted by: Jason
Jason: You are missing the point of these items. They are designed to offer more structural integrity during high-speed small overlap frontal crashes. In short, they prevent the wheel from entering the passenger compartment and crushing the occupant's lower extremities.
You wouldn't know this because you aren't an engineer and this article doesn't explain it.
Proving it is more of a pavement queen than off-roader, hence should not offer 4wd option!
These stubs will destroy your wheels and tires on simple off-roading tasks. They will bend in and destroy the rims and tires.
Sure it can assist in deflecting more of an oncoming vehicle in a case of negligent driving, but it increases the likelihood that you will not be able to drive this truck from a simple crash with a Chevette. These stubs will trap and destroy your rims and tires!
@tyler
Have you done the fatigue analysis to come to that conclusion or is it just your expirence with metal and bolts that lead to that thoughtful observation?
That must be considered a Military Grade frame which makes it as strong as a Sherman Tank.
"Sure it can assist in deflecting more of an oncoming vehicle in a case of negligent driving, but it increases the likelihood that you will not be able to drive this truck from a simple crash with a Chevette."
Oxi--Your posit makes zero sense. Any collision with enough force to bend the extenders will cause significant wheel contact will damage rims and tires on a vehicle without them. It's not that hard to understand.
"That must be considered a Military Grade frame which makes it as strong as a Sherman Tank."
Parroted by a true "military grade" lunkhead.
@ redbloodedxy,
I have an 80 pound front bumper designed for maximum approach angle, is angled to take down small saplings with ease, carry my front facing skid plates, my led light bar and a 8,000 lbs Warn winch and is sturdy to take the weight of the front of the truck off-roading.
With that said, good luck trying to destroy my front wheels and tires, my truck is built with off-roading in mind, not street queen applications.
My response stands firm, know how to build a truck to survive!
oxi-- congratulations on your bumper. You sound really proud.
However, it won't help you when that bumper clears an obstruction that hits your wheel dead on in a small overlap frontal crash.
Is that the front axle with the plastic gear actuator that frequently breaks causing the Raptor to require a ZR2 to pull it home?
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Nov 29, 2017 8:35:24 PM
You'd be overloading the max tow on the zrcrap, m0r0n!
I have an 80 pound front bumper designed for maximum approach angle, is angled to take down small saplings with ease, ....
Posted by: oxi | Nov 30, 2017 9:41:41 AM
Oxi, the world will need these small samplings to grow and help regulate the carbon dioxide that us humans produce. Dude, lay a little on your liberal media comments and start thinking about
the damage your conservative actions are creating to our world.
You'd be overloading the max tow on the zrcrap, m0r0n!
Posted by: Frank | Nov 30, 2017 10:03:59 AM
Frank is the #1 guzzler of the blue oval Military Grade Kool-Aid.
You'd be overloading the max tow on the zrcrap, m0r0n!
Posted by: Frank | Nov 30, 2017 10:03:59 AM
So you're confirming that it's the axle in the picture above that breaks and you're confirming you are a moron. Thanks for the response.
So you're confirming that it's the axle in the picture above that breaks and you're confirming you are a moron. Thanks for the response.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Nov 30, 2017 10:17:49 AM
You will have to excuse him. He fried all of his brain cells on the blue oval Kool-Aid. He's been this way for years.
So you're confirming that it's the axle in the picture above that breaks and you're confirming you are a moron. Thanks for the response.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Nov 30, 2017 10:17:49 AM
I am confirming you know nothing about trucks and towing, I made no reference to the Ford Axle, they are holding up well in the real world and not in your fantasy land.
Have a nice day puddin'
GM us stronger? They can't pass any of the crash tests in question.
Educate yourself.
@ GMSRGREAT,
Shouldn't you liberals be protesting the volcano in Mali for reaping more destruction to our environment than millions of vehicles? I thought you liberals cared about the environment, so why are you not protesting against the volcano?
You realized I have no children with my wife, that is I have done more to save the environment than any twisted leftist that seeks windmills or solar panels, higher mpg's on vehicles and rides a bike to work, etc...
In regards to the frame, I've heard the 2018 frame has been beefed up a bit in thickness and I think I know why. I know a gent in Southwest NH who has already had a frame rust thru (yes just like Toyota taco debacle) on his 2015. this is what happens when you thin out a frame to ridiculous levels. Also, Ford, Whats with all the plastic engine parts lately? Every new generation I open a Ford hood and what do I see? More damn plastic. Down the road this means more repairs for gaskets such as intact manifold and valve covers not to mention any new plasticated crap I haven't seen yet. This pisses my mechanic off too. How about a little quality?
Looks like a pretty simply way to protect passengers, Ford does do will in the overlap test so it looks like they do the job. I'm not a Ford fan so I'm hoping we see these on the other brands soon.
Proving it is more of a pavement queen than off-roader, hence should not offer 4wd option!
These stubs will destroy your wheels and tires on simple off-roading tasks. They will bend in and destroy the rims and tires.
Sure it can assist in deflecting more of an oncoming vehicle in a case of negligent driving, but it increases the likelihood that you will not be able to drive this truck from a simple crash with a Chevette. These stubs will trap and destroy your rims and tires!
Posted by: oxi | Nov 30, 2017 8:46:42 AM
New wheels and tires or new prosthetic legs? Hmmmmm, decisions.
Any vehicle costing as much as these should get maximum scores on crash tests.
Posted by: Clint | Nov 30, 2017 6:30:02 AM
I agree 100%. Not sure why anybody would risk their safety in another brand of truck. They must not love their families.
These stubs will trap and destroy your rims and tires!
Posted by: oxi | Nov 30, 2017 8:46:42 AM
Picture this:
An F-150 and a Silverado are heading in opposite directions. The driver of one truck crosses the center line, they collide. The guy in the Ford (according to you) will need a new wheel and tire. The guy in the Chevy will need surgery and maybe new legs (according to IIHS). You make a good point oxi. You must be a real smart fella.
So you're confirming that it's the axle in the picture above that breaks and you're confirming you are a moron. Thanks for the response.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Nov 30, 2017 10:17:49 AM
Hey buddy, don't get upset that the F-150 is the safest fullsize truck on the planet. You could always talk about how the Duramax beat the PowerStroke 0-60 by .1 seconds!! That's usually you guys go to on every other post.
LOL @ the comments from the Ford fanbois. That 2.7 and 3.5 Ecoboosts have a stellar reliability record...NOT! LOL
Duramax beat the PowerStroke 0-60 by .1 seconds!! That's usually you guys go to on every other post.
Posted by: 2.7EcoBoostRoost | Nov 30, 2017 11:35:21 AM
Yes, Duramax ahead by .1 second with both trucks empty. Now put a load on each truck and watch the superior power delivery of the Duramax embarrass the Military grade loser even more.
@ 2.7EcoBoostRoost,
My current front bumper on my Tacoma will put you in a nursing home if you go head on with me!
Choices, choices, drive a stock piece of junk or mod it for better survival, choices, choices...
Amen, Oxi.
I'd rather push a Toyota than drive a "Military Grade" Ford.
Amen, Oxi.
I'd rather push a Toyota than drive a "Military Grade" Ford.
Posted by: Military Grade Kool-Aid | Nov 30, 2017 1:27:39 PM
With comments you've posted you should push yourself off the darn cliff.
I haven't seen the underside of an f150 since the '04 model gen. But it seems Ford decided aluminum lower control is not good anymore hence back to steel.
the Ford F150 is the most safe truck you can buy, because it won't be long before it won't even move.
https://youtu.be/_V5WGkRZQOU
Looks weak and cheaply slap together like the rest of the truck. Ford = cheap throw away trash.
That's Chevy I'm talking about. Cheap cheap.
LOL the plastic drain plug, oil pan and aluminum front diff housing is a dead giveaway that these new trucks should stay on the pavement. Let alone the zillion inch wheels and thousand dollar tires. Gotta look good truckin' to that cubicle so you can obtain whats left of your manhood haha.
@ Mvanbrunt: This is what I'm talking about. Does this truck seriously have a plastic oil pan? Just looking under this truck and I think cheap...and Im a ford guy! the underneath of the Colorado looked way more rugged. Too much cost cutting here? Would this be durable? The front A arms are welded together rather then solid? Why? I see a rust nitemare there for sure. Not sure i would buy this truck..but thats just me.
Ford Fan boy so mad has to use my name cause he knows it's true Fords are build so cheap and junkie. HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! What a loser you are, use your own name chicken s$%t.
I love my Ford F150, eventhough the metal tears when I put anything in the bed and the turbo's smoke when I gun it and the frame is already rusted and the aluminum is corroding and the paint is falling off. I still love it.
All I know is that all trucks but Ford are a serious injury and death trap. That's why I have to deflect and defend.
Love all the wanna be engineers in here talking trash! Lol!
Thanks for a great review like always. I always follow your site for great reviews.
@Jerame
+1
Cleary, some folks have no idea what they are talking about. This article contains ZERO information to make any objective observation based in science.
Ford wins again
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