While using the 6-foot height of the Carousel as a starting point in concept, the 1980s Ford "garageable van" was a completely clean-sheet design. In a major shift, the new design shifted mechanical commonality from full-size trucks and vans to the compact Ford Ranger in an effort to reduce weight. In what would be a major break from the Chrysler and GM minivans, the Ford minivan received a distinct chassis (with model-specific front and rear suspension). To further improve fuel economy, Ford added a number of lightweight materials for the body, using plastic bumpers, fuel tanks, liftgate doors, and hoods; aluminum was used for the driveshaft, axles, and wheels.