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Cutting Weight

jekquistk5

jekquistk5

Weld nekid
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I plan on making my k5 just a tad bit lighter :hack:
which involves ditching tailgate, doors, top etc. I plan on doing this to help while trailering, and on trails etc. Other then cutting all sheetmetal off where else can I shave weight??
 
rear seat is out, I only cary enough tools for me to do the basics, well I never go out alone, so Most of my group caries the stuff I do not bring.
 
Tools? Heavy spare parts? A/C system? Just a few ideas.

Ah, I see your reply about the tools.

Another thought, a full tank of fuel is very heavy.
 
Aluminum wheels
Aluminum heads
Aluminum block
Aluminum waterpump
Aluminum radiator
Tube bumpers (kinda prerunner-style) instead of plate bumpers
No exocage
Smaller fuel tank/fuel cell. Gasoline is approx. 6lbs/gal, so 5gal. less is 30+lbs saved...
Smallest battery and alternator you can get away with
Lexan windshield instead of glass


There's a huge thread on this subject in the Center of Gravity forum...
 
Ahh should have looked there my bad. I have not wheeled with the top off, doors off or tailgate off yet so we shall see what happens. I will probably take the AC stuff off, but then add a york compressor so yeah. Sway bar is gone allready
 
The guy who had my truck before me was on a weight saving trip...he took off the steel plate that protects the gas tank...Not a good idea...
 
jekquistk5 said:
I plan on making my k5 just a tad bit lighter :hack:
which involves ditching tailgate, doors, top etc. I plan on doing this to help while trailering, and on trails etc. Other then cutting all sheetmetal off where else can I shave weight??
Click to expand...

Interior stuff weighs a lot. Get rid of any brackets or wiring you're not using. You can eliminate ductwork also. I don't even run sun visors. A radio, speakers, and wiring can be an easy 30lbs.

I run empty doors (no glass or regulator) and they're easily half the weight of stock. Without the door panels or door lock release they're even lighter. I run factory doors, mexican doors are even lighter.

I have the cab on my truck light enough that my Dad and I can carry it around if there are no doors on it.

Cut off crap you don't need like brackets and whatnot. Anything you can replace with plastic or aluminum is a bonus. The front clip of a 70s pickup easily weighs 100lbs more than an 80s pickup.

More important than the weight is where you have the weight. Anything heavy should be mounted low. That means winshield washer reservoirs, coolant reservoirs, batteries, and gas tanks should all be mounted low.
 
I generally do not carry a cooler, just a jug of water and thats about it. oh and every fluid that my truck takes.
 
FOR MUD said:
Lite beer helps!!!
Click to expand...


that is kinda where I was going with the cooler joke... you can ditch spare parts, tools, spare tire, passenger, seats... BUT KEEP THE COOLER!!!! :haha:
 
How about the front seats . Fiberglass racing seats must be lighter . A big joke at work is if you get hurt and get put on light duty , it means you have to switch to lite beer .
 
Clod_King said:
what about carpets? wouldn't rihno lining be lighter? or about the same?
Click to expand...


ummm we are not really talking about a real truck here now are we???

a rc car maybe???? :haha:
 
what about wheel wells if left intact they are a good amount of weight...ditch them
 
big83chevy4x4 said:
one way to ditch some weight is to take some of those parts that are laying in the back of your k5 and actually use them :whistle: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Click to expand...
Thanks TJ I will consider that.. You get your clutch fixed yet???

Carpets will be 100% out this weekend. found out I need to do a small floor repair. Seats is another thing, but I was actually thinking about putting in seats from a 99 grand am in. I am doing bedliner on the inside just to prevent rust and making cleaning easy. Wheel wells I shall just have to wait and see till I get the 38.5's to know how much to cut.
 
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