ALUMINUM?????

[jkrod]

hey what ever happened to all the talk of aluminum panels and parts??? nothing on that seems to be talked about anymore.........hood, doors, anything??

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[MotorMan]

hey what ever happened to all the talk of aluminum panels and parts??? nothing on that seems to be talked about anymore.........hood, doors, anything??

I know nothing about CAD drawings.. could the different color panels on the JT mean something? In terms of materials used??

 

[STL J-Hawk]

I know nothing about CAD drawings.. could the different color panels on the JT mean something? In terms of materials used??

Most likely the different colors on that image are different drawing layers, each using a different color for clarity and so they can be isolated if needed. At least that would be my opinion. (I am an architect and that is what we do when drawing plans,etc)

 

[CorpCow]

The most official info I can remember being posted here is from almost a year ago.

Per http://www.jlwranglerforums.com/for...angler-aluminum-parts-confirmed-by-alcoa.213/

"The 2018 Jeep Wrangler will have aluminum doors (front and rear inners) and hood (inner and outer), at the very least."

 

[Billy]

The colors we've seen on the 3D CAD screen shot are purely cartoon. Looks like the geometry is accurate, but material properties are not represented by color in any way.

 

[Indio]

hey what ever happened to all the talk of aluminum panels and parts??? nothing on that seems to be talked about anymore.........hood, doors, anything??

I read there was some issue in terms of the plant that would be used and the type of metal (steel vs aluminum). There was a push to keep production in a certain area/plant which necessitated use of more steel. That disappointed me a lot, because I would have loved an all aluminum body, due to how well it has held up on my old 1972 Land Rover from the ravages of rust. Particular now living back in the rust belt. In contrast, my 1985 CJ-7 steel body is like the Flintstones mobile with rust holes!

 

[The Great Grape Ape]

Aluminium is fine as long as they account for Galvanic interaction where the steel and Aluminium meet.

Without a proper buffer you get what the early LandRovers (or even more recent Mustangs) which had accelerated corrosion at the contact points.

This is why the new F-150 has plastic to isolate the different parts.

 

[Matt The Hammer]

And the JK hinges...

Whoops. Hopefully Jeep does a better job with the Aluminum body parts on the JL.

 

[Indio]

And the JK hinges...

Whoops. Hopefully Jeep does a better job with the Aluminum body parts on the JL.

Isn't that hinge photo from a web site that is in the business of selling aftermarket hinges? The steel hinges on my CJ-7 froze up with rust, and one of them I had to cut off and weld back together. Many metals have a potential for corrosion. But aluminum has nice qualities in terms of not rusting away like steel. That's why you can have an aluminum boat sitting out exposed to the elements for years with no issue, while a steel boat would rust. My 80's CJ-7 is rusting away just sitting in the driveway. Meanwhile my 70's Land Rover even with exposed aluminum is fine. I mean there are areas with no paint and exposed aluminum - no problem. Personally I will take an aluminum body and parts just about any day over steel. Although for people who buy new and don't hang onto vehicles a long time, corrosion would be someone else's problem down the road, and so not a big deal. My 1999 Ford Escort and 2002 Chevy Tracker are getting rust in the rocker panels and some other areas, even though the metal was treated for corrosion protection. The original owners don't care though, as they got rid of the vehicles before rust became an issue.

 

[Indio]

Aluminium is fine as long as they account for Galvanic interaction where the steel and Aluminium meet.

Without a proper buffer you get what the early LandRovers (or even more recent Mustangs) which had accelerated corrosion at the contact points.

This is why the new F-150 has plastic to isolate the different parts.

Agreed, galvanic corrosion is a concern. In my experience owning a Land Rover though, it has been less a concern compared to steel rusting. I recently got my CJ-7 engine fixed up and running, but now am faced with the dismal body situation due to rust. It is like a Flintstone Mobile. Then I look over at the aluminum body on my old Land Rover which is not rusting, even where raw aluminum is exposed. I mean it is like a night and day difference comparing the two bodies. If my CJ-7 had been made with an aluminum body, I would be a happy guy right now, rather than pricing replacement CJ panels and worrying about rust coming back.

 

[The Great Grape Ape]

Then I look over at the aluminum body on my old Land Rover which is not rusting, even where raw aluminum is exposed. I mean it is like a night and day difference comparing the two bodies.

Yeah, but it's not just the exposure, which at worst on its own will turn aluminium a shade of grey but still be about as strong as it was 20-50 yrs earlier, but when there is galvanic corrosion it is hyper-accelerated and the inevitable steel bits just melt like butter through & through not just surface and thin stuff.

I still think aluminium is the right choice and a great material, people just need to be aware to keep an eye out for corrosion at those points where the two metals meet, because it can be quick and very destructive, but if you get to it early it can be properly separated again and be easily repaired vs just a few months later.
People who just think "Aluminium, no worries", might not properly check for these trouble spots, and that would be unfortunate, because if well monitored and maintained, it should easily outlast all steel.

Now next generation steel is another question, and I can't wait until we get there, because it will have much of the Aluminium benefits including improved anti-corrosion and lightness, but also with the strength of steel and the easier repairs of steel.

I am interested in seeing how the new Aluminium bits hold up on the trail, I've heard it's a bit more interior of the doors than exterior, but if it is an aluminium outside panel also, then I wonder how well it'll do against big branches and such.

~ edited for type-Os ~

 

[Matt The Hammer]

Isn't that hinge photo from a web site that is in the business of selling aftermarket hinges?

Yes. But it's a common problem with JKs as a whole.

I'm pro aluminum too - especially as an engineer living in NJ. I just hope that Jeep makes it work so that the paint isn't bubbling off in 2 years and the steel next to it isn't rusting faster than an International Scout.

 

[JL's JL]

The most official info I can remember being posted here is from almost a year ago.

Per http://www.jlwranglerforums.com/for...angler-aluminum-parts-confirmed-by-alcoa.213/

"The 2018 Jeep Wrangler will have aluminum doors (front and rear inners) and hood (inner and outer), at the very least."

Inner panels using aluminum is a good compromise I think. Having it on external panels might mean higher insurance costs since alum is more costly to repair.

 

[Jay 13]

Yeah, but it's not just the exposure, which at worst on its own will turn aluminium a shade of grey but still be about as strong as it was 20-50 yrs earlier, but when there is galvanic corrosion it is hyper-accelerated and the inevitable steel bits just melt like butter through & through not just surface and thin stuff.

I still think aluminium is the right choice and a great material, people just need to be aware to keep an eye out for corrosion at those points where the two metals meet, because it can be quick and very destructive, but if you get to it early it can be properly separated again and be easily repaired vs just a few months later.
People who just think "Aluminium, no worries", might not properly check for these trouble spots, and that would be unfortunate, because if well monitored and maintained, it should easily outlast all steel.

Now next generation steel is another question, and I can't wait until we get there, because it will have much of the Aluminium benefits including improved anti-corrosion and lightness, but also with the strength of steel and the easier repairs of steel.

I am interested in seeing how the new Aluminium bits hold up on the trail, I've heard it's a bit more interior of the doors than exterior, but if it is an aluminium outside panel also, then I wonder how well it'll do against big branches and such.

~ edited for type-Os ~

I’ve been sent from the future back on time to tell you ....you have predicted the future.

Maybe you should work for FCA....as you clearly predicted the future.....unfortunately what you said/feared has happened to many!

you really are the great grape ape!
Or should I say “Great scott!” (Lol only some will get that last part)

 

[AZ Hella]

Maybe you should work for FCA....as you clearly predicted the future.....unfortunately what you said/feared has happened to many!

you really are the great grape ape

Wow talk about resurrecting an old thread.
lol

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