Shedding weight
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,828
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Maine
On my old LJ I was able to shave almost 500 lbs by replacing heavy steel parts with aluminum ones...it made a noticeable difference. On my JKU I decided I would only go with light weight aluminum parts where I can, I did full aluminum skid plates, aluminum rocker guards, aluminum fenders. replaced muffler (saved 8 lbs), for bumpers I went with steel mostly because the weight savings was not that significant and I preferred the look/brand of the steel ones. Teraflex aluminum tire carrier, slightly smaller spare tire (still get me off the trail and home if needed but saves weight and $$). Light weight wheels, Warn RC winch with synthetic line, soft top, half doors....
On this Jeep I went with slightly heavier tires but over all I probably saved 500 lbs in additional weight by choosing aluminum/lighter components.
As far as reducing weight from a stock Jeep... Remove rear seat, remove top, half doors, no spare, carbon fiber/fiberglass body parts, remove stereo, remove AC, remove carpet, remove jack...etc etc... you can get extreme but it depends what your goals are..
On this Jeep I went with slightly heavier tires but over all I probably saved 500 lbs in additional weight by choosing aluminum/lighter components.
As far as reducing weight from a stock Jeep... Remove rear seat, remove top, half doors, no spare, carbon fiber/fiberglass body parts, remove stereo, remove AC, remove carpet, remove jack...etc etc... you can get extreme but it depends what your goals are..
I have had a bunch of mechanics at the dealership where I go, just for the free oil changes, that the plates have taken some real hits and saved me...
I'm hopingg with the addition of lockers and bigger tires, that I can get through with less skinny pedal!
I'm a big fan of titanium and aluminum, but there weren't any obvious sources when I was getting my skids or bumpers.
matthew
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Genright has some aluminum stuff - you have to care more about weight than money cause they are expensive as heck... the gas savings from the weight won't make up the cost difference in a decade.
I've also read when thickness is equal, a steel skid plate is about 3x stronger... but most 3/8" aluminum skid plates I'd guess would still be much stronger than the tin can plates that come factory.
I've got steel rock sliders, oil pan -> transmission skid, and diff gliders front and rear for less than the cost of 1 aluminum skid... I'd be worried about the weight of my jeep slamming down on an aluminum slider... but not frame welded steel.
I've also read when thickness is equal, a steel skid plate is about 3x stronger... but most 3/8" aluminum skid plates I'd guess would still be much stronger than the tin can plates that come factory.
I've got steel rock sliders, oil pan -> transmission skid, and diff gliders front and rear for less than the cost of 1 aluminum skid... I'd be worried about the weight of my jeep slamming down on an aluminum slider... but not frame welded steel.
Last edited by boon4376; Mar 14, 2014 at 07:30 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 740
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
If budget is extremely tight, the hood is made of fiberglass so it can be run unpainted. I actually have two local customers who are doing exactly that right now. They are running the hoods as is until budget allows to have them painted.
