Ford engineers tested the cargo box of the all-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty virtually and with real-world testing to ensure it can withstand popular aftermarket equipment. Testing included using supercomputers to simulate loads and driving prototypes loaded with equipment over punishing terrain. The military-grade aluminum alloy cargo box was found to be as tough or tougher than previous steel models, withstanding abuse from equipment like salt spreaders and ATV carriers without damage. The Super Duty is slated to go on sale late next year.

1. NEWS
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From Salt Spreaders to ATV Platforms: Ford Tough Tests All-
New Super Duty Cargo Boxes with Aftermarket Equipment
 Ford engineers tough tested the high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy cargo box of
the all-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty with popular aftermarket equipment, ranging
from glass racks to salt spreaders to ATV carriers
 Testing was performed virtually using supercomputers to predict robustness and with
maximum-loaded aftermarket equipment over some of the most extreme road surfaces
available, from potholed durability courses to off-road terrain
 The all-new 2017 F-Series Super Duty is the toughest, smartest and most capable Super
Duty ever, leveraging advanced materials to reduce weight and featuring all-new, segment-
exclusive smart technology to help increase customer productivity, comfort and convenience
DEARBORN, Mich., – From virtual torture testing in supercomputers to purpose-built potholes,
Ford has tough tested the all-new Super Duty – the toughest, smartest, most capable Super
Duty ever – to make sure it’s ready for popular aftermarket cargo box equipment that ranges
from glass racks to salt spreaders.
For the first time, the Super Duty body uses high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy, which
is more dent- and ding-resistant than the outgoing steel cargo box and not subject to red rust
corrosion.
The backbone of Super Duty is an all-new, fully boxed frame composed of more than 95 percent
high-strength steel that is up to 24 times stiffer than the previous frame.
The new truck line also features heavier-duty four-wheel-drive components, driveline, axles and
towing hardware than the current Super Duty.
Together, high-strength steel and high-strength aluminum alloy help reduce weight by up to 350
pounds. Ford is reinvesting additional weight savings everywhere it counts to give customers
more towing and hauling capability than ever before.
“Ford Super Duty customers depend on their trucks to work hard every day across a variety of
jobs,” said Kirk Leonard, vehicle integration engineer for Ford. “We drove prototype vehicles
over the durability roads of the Ford Proving Grounds fitted with common aftermarket
accessories to test the fitment and capability of our toughest pickup box ever.“
Before the first truck hit the roads at Ford’s Michigan Proving Grounds, plenty of upfront work
was accomplished virtually using supercomputers to predict and engineer cargo box
robustness.
“Our team of vehicle integration engineers worked together to develop a unique design
approach with the Ford Truck Body Engineering team to drive optimized panel shape, added

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reinforcements and up-gauged materials into the pickup box – all of which were proved
beneficial in our evaluation,” explained Leonard.
During the design of the new truck, Ford body structure engineers ran countless hours of
supercomputer simulations with various aftermarket equipment examples to predict box load
performance. The focus was to ensure the all-new 2017 Super Duty cargo box was as tough or
tougher than previous models.
“Our modeling analysis enabled us to improve the structure and strength of the box in the
design phase of the truck,” said John Comiez, Ford body structure engineer.
Throughout the evaluations on extreme durability roads and off-road terrain, and even after
overloading select equipment, the new box design stood up to the abuse, run after run. Upon
completing the challenge, the vehicles were examined in the lab by the team. No concerns were
found in either the supporting structure or the mounting surfaces.
The all-new Super Duty will be built at Kentucky Truck Plant, and goes on sale late next year.
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