Street truck weight shaving

[400sbctruck]

Alright, so mass=resistance to change state of motion(newton).
HP=MONEY
Increased HP-weight ratio=good things.
Easier acceleration = reduction in energy required. Thus, reduction in fuel consumed.

As a machinist, I know what a shovel full of metal chips weigh!
Where are some good places to drill holes, grind excess material, etc?

Aside from removing functional and required stuff, anyway. Doing this while maintaining street function and durability.

Focus is on the 88-98 trucks, 2wd.

Basically hoping to get a few more ideas other than spare tire, racing seats, hitch, etc.
I do know many lbs can be shed from the bed alone, though it isnt the best spot to lose it....
Alternate exhaust materials?
Lightest rims?
Seat mounts/frame shaving?
Aluminum cast calipers?
Lets hear it!

[team39763]

Rear disc brake conversion. I wanna say I saved 20+ pounds there. Manual brake conversion saved me maybe 5-10lbs(been a few years). Getting rid of a couple leaf springs was worth a good bit of weight too. There's a bunch of stupid stuff I did to my truck, but it's a tin can and for racing only. I'm ashamed of how hacked up my truck is. It doesn't look too bad from the outside though. I went from 3800 to 3000, then back to around 3100-3200 after adding in the rollbar.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Have you looked at fiberglass hoods?

Here's some ideas I want to do to mine.
-fiberglass hood- pin on style
-^disc rear brakes
-aluminum bumper brackets
-aluminum brake calipers
-get rid of overload leaf springs
-mini starter
-aluminum water pump
-aluminum heads
-aluminum driveshaft
-hollow swaybar(s)
-aluminum radiator
-Muncie trans with light weight flywheel/clutch
I'm not trying to cut mine up too much because I'm trying to keep it a street driven truck
Anything you take off can easily be negated by safety equipment like roll cages/driveshaft loops etc..
If you have power doors converting to manual and getting rid of electrics will drop weight
Getting rid of a/c is a no brainer getting rid of insulation. Running less exhaust by having it come out the side instead of going all the way out the back. Light weight body panels can be done by cutting the frames out. Running speed glass for side and rear windows. Don't forget light weight wheels. Factory steering wheels have some weight to them too. Lighter seats will help too. If budget isn't a concern I've seen some weight anal people run all titanium fastners on the body. I've seen fiberglass bumpers get chromed real well and you couldn't tell factory from aftermarket. Aftermarket body panels are typically thinner so that will save a few pounds.
Weight savings is like real life diet how hard are you willing to work at it and when is it enough?

[tomtuna1978]

You could make a aluminum core support. Or hood hinges or any bracket under the dash.

[mongoose]

computer, fuel injection equip. abs.
fuel cell
lose all comforts, like a/c, heater, power anything
there's light rear suspenions you can run, fabbed 9" housing with alum center.
light brakes all round, vette kits for the front.. or complete tube or alumium front member and suspension etc.
aftermarket seats hard mounted.
an ls1 with an alum. cased st-10 would be the cheapest lightest setup.
losing the stock column, changing over to a rack and pinion
run glass anything you can get away with, if you run a linked suspension you can swiss hole the rear frame.. tho that might hurt you as well.


losing an effective amount of weight costs just as much or more than horsepower.

[400sbctruck]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Have you looked at fiberglass hood?

thats a double edge sword(for me,maybe not others) after factoring in durability and hp/dollar. My hood comes up a lot etc and the money could by an intake, a gear and probably have a few$$ left over.

Really, im just a broke butt(not back!) and looking for freebies.
Ill look into the vette brake setup though, i know where a stock chassis is parting out.

[softballnrd27]

mongoose said it, unless you are willing to spend some $$$ then you are only going to be able to do so much in the weight dept. It is almost as expensive as buying go fast parts if you want the lightest truck possible.

[hellbent72]

I would focus on loosing weight off the front half of the truck.
If money allows is ditch the old heavy front end..crossmember, upper and lower a arms.steering. and try and go with a mustang 2 type crossmember and tubular arms.
Also maybe a fiberglass front end.
The best thing to reduce the effects of raw weight is raw horsepower and torque ie a NASTY NITROUS fed 6.0-6.2 LSX or Wicked Big Block

[moggey01]

Try to get rid of anything you are not gonna use. As a machinist you can drill or mill all kinds of stuff. Work from the cab forward. The rear adds up as well but you may be adding weight back there. I have done some of this myself , its time consuming but can pay off in the end.