Weight Removal?

[SRH916]

Is there anything I can do to cut down on weight with my 1975 LWB? Preferably in the front.

[gchemist]

Replace the A-arms with tubular arms. Replace the copper radiator with an aluminum. Replace the hood with a fiberglass hood.

Remove the wheel wells. Not really recommended though.

[SRH916]

Sounds like just about all I could think of. Anyone else got any creative ideas? Anything?

[streetstar]

This is the orange and white you just bought? Does it squat on you or something?

Just trying to get a feel for why you're trying to cut pounds --- even of you shaved off ...say... 300 pounds, you still have a 3900-4000 lb vehicle.

If its because its riding rough, its because of those slightly heavier springs in the front that were meant for a 454. But if you're trying to lose weight to make it faster or more fuel efficient, its an uphill battle.

To run fast in an old truck, its easier to add horsepower than take away lbs, but as far as mileage, thats largely dependent on aerodynamics, and gearing choices


But if you still have steel wheels -- you can save an easy 50 lbs going to aluminum wheels

[SRH916]

I just want to make it lighter, since I am thinking of taking it to the shop, maybe dropping in a big block, or a blown sbc. I just want it to be fast, and a bit easier to stop, and get better mileage. Weight is always the easiest way to improve everything in one sweep, but I ran out of ideas.

[SRH916]

Oh, yeah its the orange and white one I just bought. I removed about 300-400 lbs by getting rid of the camper

[bigblock73]

other than what has already been suggested...

fiberglass bumper, aluminum engine components, move battery to the bed or under the bed.

[SRH916]

Well, I guess we just about covered it, unless... anyone want to get really creative?

[streetstar]

I know what your sayin man, but these trucks are just heavy no matter what you do, --- there was a guy on here with a tube chassis drag truck that weighed in at 3300 lbs.
that was with a teeny front end that wasnt made for driving also.

The trucks are pretty bare bones as it is , there's not a lot to shave without sacrificing comfort or driveability in some way--- think of it this way, your truck is 1500 lbs lighter than a late model silverado or F-150 though.

Sad part of it is, almost everything you do to boost performance will add weight. Sway bars and big, sticky tires are heavy --- big block engines are heavy, but you can use aluminum heads-- blower motors are definitely heavy, etc etc etc.

Better braking means bigger rotors, which are usually heavier. Chevy trucks in the mid 80's routinely got 20 mpg with smog motors, so thats possible, but maybe not at the same time as going fast. Big Blocks rarely get better than 10 or 12 mpg, but they do run fast, but here's another thought ---- the new LS motors (out of late model Camaros and 6.0 trucks) can be persuaded to get great power with nice mpg's, while being lighter than a traditional small block

[James McClure]

If ya got gobs of money Reynolds & Reynolds Casts a totally integrated aluminum 454. No cylinder heads!! The whole thing goes togther from underneath. I saw one once and only once. Only thing that bolted on was the intake (blower in this case), headers, valve covers, oil pan and timing chain cover. Bet you could save a few pounds there, aluminum engine and empty pockets.

[Twisted78SS]

Well you could got more drastic.
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/pts/558690577.html

Fiberglass one piece front end..

[SRH916]

I was looking at the solid front ends, but they are a bit pricey. It would be nice to have a solid tilt front end though...

[Rollie396]

You wouldn't lose any weight,but you could move the engine back slightly to help with front/rear %.
A six banger would lighten it up a bit too

[Malo83]

Acid dip the body panels and swiss cheese the frame

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Check out WWW.USBODYSOURCE.COM for fiberglass body parts.
A few years ago TRUCKIN' MAGAZINE did a full body swap on a '78 or '79 model SHORT BED using their products and it lost close to 800 lbs if I remember right.

[AceX]

Fiberglass parts will generally need alot of fitting and body work.

So, you want creative huh?

Take out the bed floor, convert to light weight bucket seats, use fiberglass parts wherever possible, an all aluminum engine will saves tons of weight, light weight wheels (this is one of the biggest ones), remove the inner fenders, remove any A/C components, the list goes on...

[gchemist]

Oh, you want an engine so...

[Pyrotechnic]

Light weight racing seats. The stock bench seat is heavy.

Go with minimal exhaust. A full exhaust all the way out to the bumper is heavy.

Plexiglass rear window. Should be simple seeing as it's flat.

Put a Blazer or Suburban gas tank where the spare tire normally goes. This doesn't lose weight but it certainly improves weight transfer.