Thinking outside the box
03-29-2004, 06:14 PM
#1
TECH Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thinking outside the box
Well as we all here are striving to go faster, anyone take a look beyond the engine and trans?
I was thinking today that the real issue is weight. We all know this yet we don't do anything about it. Looking around, there is a lot of crap to convert to lighterweight materials. I also thought up and interesting approach to shave some off. What if I made the front quarter panels out of fiber glass or carbon fiber? This would deffinately shave some much needed weight off. However, I haven't poked around much. If I were to make a mold and make a duplicate panel, would anyone else be interested in buying a set from me if it turned out well?
Just curious. I'd probably do it this summer anyway. Any one elses thoughts?
boot
I was thinking today that the real issue is weight. We all know this yet we don't do anything about it. Looking around, there is a lot of crap to convert to lighterweight materials. I also thought up and interesting approach to shave some off. What if I made the front quarter panels out of fiber glass or carbon fiber? This would deffinately shave some much needed weight off. However, I haven't poked around much. If I were to make a mold and make a duplicate panel, would anyone else be interested in buying a set from me if it turned out well?
Just curious. I'd probably do it this summer anyway. Any one elses thoughts?
boot
03-29-2004, 06:24 PM
#2
TECH Enthusiast
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: H-Town
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
03-30-2004, 08:58 AM
#4
TECH Fanatic
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: oklahoma
Posts: 1,721
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have ben contemplating this to. If the rpice is right I am in, that's only if it is a real weight savings. I know the steel fenders are heavy and getting the weight off the front end would help alot. Price is the biggest consideration.
03-30-2004, 09:15 AM
#5
12 Second Truck Club
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 5,575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are the fenders really that heavy? They are pretty flimsy.
A lot of us do shave weight off our trucks. With my subs out I am down 280lbs or close to it. Not much ealse is practical to remove without hurting resale value. There are a couple braces under the truck you could cutout but new owners probably wouldnt like that.
A lot of us do shave weight off our trucks. With my subs out I am down 280lbs or close to it. Not much ealse is practical to remove without hurting resale value. There are a couple braces under the truck you could cutout but new owners probably wouldnt like that.
03-30-2004, 09:16 AM
#6
TECH Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Katy, TX
Posts: 3,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found some carbon fiber Ram Air hoods for our trucks that weigh only 15lbs! Ill try to find it again and post it up. If i remember right it was @ $800. Expensive, but looked sweet.
03-30-2004, 09:35 AM
#7
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: League City, Texas
Posts: 9,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The body panels are not the biggest wieght issues. It's the freaking frame and massive interior pieces that contribute most to the weight of the truck. You want the truck to get light, do an aluminum frame. The rear leafs, the front arms, the heavy front and rear bumpers and supports.
Trending Topics
03-30-2004, 09:58 AM
#8
TECH Fanatic
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Yorkville IL - Chicago
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Fast4.8
The body panels are not the biggest wieght issues. It's the freaking frame and massive interior pieces that contribute most to the weight of the truck. You want the truck to get light, do an aluminum frame. The rear leafs, the front arms, the heavy front and rear bumpers and supports.
stepsides are fiberglass - weight savings there
but the tub and gate are steel.
03-30-2004, 10:58 AM
#9
TECH Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah, but the sheet metal fenders and what not are easy to replicate.
What if you were to make the front suspension peices lighter? Like instead of stamped steel, use tube steel or even cnc aluminum? That's deffinately get the weight down. However, I don't think that'll happen do to the sharp cost v. performance gain.
What if you were to make the front suspension peices lighter? Like instead of stamped steel, use tube steel or even cnc aluminum? That's deffinately get the weight down. However, I don't think that'll happen do to the sharp cost v. performance gain.