weight loss, my explorer is fat

[97 EB Mike]

Here's a thought:

Build the sh** out of this truck. I'm talking "force to be rekoned with, go anywhere, over anything and come back for more" truck. Then buy a 2.0 DOHC Escort ZX2 with the 5 speed trans for a DD. Keep your cool azz truck, get 40mpg highway from your DD, everyone wins

 

[lhrschwab]

Buy a Kia .LOL

 

[MercuryMullet]

swap the awd for 4wd T-case so the explorer can be two wheel. Not turning the front shaft makes a difference. My dad used to take his out of a 79 chevy in the summer. Just not having it spin gained 2mpg. A awd is actually putting power to that shaft so who knows.

 

[KPSquared]

Your best way to get good mileage is to stop driving a 4000# brick with the aerodynamics of a loaf of bread.

If you get creative, you can cut the support structure out of the hood and save a lot of weight there. I think rookieshooter has (or had) pics of it in his build thread... if he's on this forum...

Next question...how much do YOU weigh? For most people, there's another 20 - 30 lbs right there...:

 

[theSpoon]

i think 98's have a solid sway bar and some years below had hollow ones, i don't know what the weight difference would be though.

 

[kevinspann]

i think 98's have a solid sway bar and some years below had hollow ones, i don't know what the weight difference would be though.

They are not a direct interchange.

 

[Electrohacker]

smaller gas tank?

remove the skid plates?

there has to be more parts that can be removed...

the AC?
the ABS?
the Airbags?

 

[X~FACTOR]

The easiest one is to remove the spare tire and all its mechanism.
Remove the tow hitch if you have one
Get a rear rollpan
Vent the hood (see my avatar)
Convert to 2WD by removing the front axle and driveshaft
Switch to lighter wheels with low profile tires
Remove complete A/C system and while you're at it, remove the Cruise Control and ABS

Here's a simple one: the gas tank skid plate - heavy!

Doesn't that hold the gas tank itself? I thought of removing it once. I got half way done then realized its holding the back end of the tank up. Or am I mistaken? I hope so coz it does look really heavy.

 

[Electrohacker]

Doesn't that hold the gas tank itself? I thought of removing it once. I got half way done then realized its holding the back end of the tank up. Or am I mistaken? I hope so coz it does look really heavy.

there's supposed to be a strap on the tank, mine was rusted through so my skid was holding my tank, the strap is $30 from advanced auto

 

[damccain]

I bought a 2009 left from Kia for 9 grand and I have a ten year warranty and 40 MPG: ) not to bad a deal since I'm seeing 13 in town with the 33s and stock gearing

 

[Carguy3J]

I intend to replace my steel spare with an oem aluminum wheel. Not only will it be lighter, but, if I need to use it, it will match the other 3.

Also, I agree, the fenders are already so light, it's not worth replacing them, but what about the hood? Anybody ever weigh a stock one? What do you think a fiberglass one would weigh? Same with the rear gate, how much stock, vs how much fiberglass? How hard would it be to make a fiberglass rear gate, and keep it fully functional? (w/ opening gate, w/ opening glass, power locks, wipers,etc.....)

I also thought about making 'glass bumpers, to replace the heavy steel ones, since I'm leaning towards ditching the chrome for painted anyway. Anybody have an idea on the weight savings there?

Maybe, rear door shells out of 'glass; assuming you either don't carry rear passengers, or don't like them. :shifty_ey

It just seems to me that fiberglass, if it's thick enough to have the needed rigidity, for straight, solid body panels, isn't going to be all that light. Thoughts?

I guess, if you really wanted to go to the extreme, you could replace the stock frame with a tube chassis, or at least swap out the torsion bars and leafs for coilovers.

 

[FloridaState]

But then you have to think...how much money are you spending on these lighter parts, and is it actually worth it? If you spend like $500 on fiberglass stuff, how long until you save $500 in gas?
I image it'd be quite a lot of money when you add up all the money you spent vs. how much money you're actually saving. Just like Al's 30mpg thing...no disrespect intended (may he rest in peace) but he must have spent a ton of money getting to 30mpg, and one has to wonder if he ever actually broke even.

 

[BobWiersema]

Wow!

Almost one year on this silly thread.
I dont understand how everyone keeps missing the obvious answer to making the truck lighter.

Anti Gravity Device

You can buy one on-line almost anywhere.

These people seam to have it figured out.

Warning !!! This site may make you float away.
http://www.antigravitytechnology.net/



Our government would love to keep this information secret, but we know machines like this are out there.

Even as we speak, dedicated scientist are committed to making your Explorer weigh almost nothing.

So dont give up. Ordinary everyday people are dedicated to Gravity Experiments. Take for example Oprah Winfrey, sure she has only manage to Amplifying Gravity on herself, but does she quit no!

Everyday we see new breakthroughs in this technology, just look at this.

A flying model of a Schauberger Repulsine, Type A, tested in January 1940.

So you can see how close we are to cracking this problem.
Keep up the good work on your Explorer, try pumping it full of Hydrogen, that worked with the Hindenburg, well for a while anyway.

Bob

 

[Carguy3J]

Hey, wait a minute........ What about helium filled tires????????

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Okay, I can imagine you going over a pump or pot hole, CRACK, there goes the fiberglass doors...

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Wow!

Almost one year on this silly thread.
I dont understand how everyone keeps missing the obvious answer to making the truck lighter.

Anti Gravity Device

You can buy one on-line almost anywhere.

These people seam to have it figured out.

Warning !!! This site may make you float away.
http://www.antigravitytechnology.net/



Our government would love to keep this information secret, but we know machines like this are out there.

Even as we speak, dedicated scientist are committed to making your Explorer weigh almost nothing.

So dont give up. Ordinary everyday people are dedicated to Gravity Experiments. Take for example Oprah Winfrey, sure she has only manage to Amplifying Gravity on herself, but does she quit no!

Everyday we see new breakthroughs in this technology, just look at this.

A flying model of a Schauberger Repulsine, Type A, tested in January 1940.

So you can see how close we are to cracking this problem.
Keep up the good work on your Explorer, try pumping it full of Hydrogen, that worked with the Hindenburg, well for a while anyway.

Bob

There is a lot of speculation that scientists within the Nazi party were trying to develop an anti-gravity machine, some REALLY interesting research there to do if you really want to go back to 1940...


haha, I can imagine it now..... front left tire blows out on the highway.... double sharp turn..... two tires in the air..... roll three times......... than BOOM!, just like the Hindenburg, except it didn't have the cool factor of rolling over.

 

[97 EB Mike]

I don't know about helium, but I have seen some local garages with a nitrogen machine for filling tires. At least I think thats what they use it for...my memory is a little foggy. Does that have anything to do with weight? Perhaps its more for dry air? Anyone else heard of this? Maybe I'm...ok, probably I'm insane... but I do think I've seen this...

 

[rhauf]

I'm a big advocate of saving weight, to me it's a major consideration for roll cages, bumpers, body design (buggy) etc.

however, i think you're wasting you're time if you expect to remove enough stuff from a stock truck to make a noticeable difference. the only thing you'll notice, is that you don't have the luxury of a back seat, spare tire, jack, air condition, or whatever else you remove. those weight savings are negligible compared to the weight of the vehicle as a whole. remember, auto manufacturers already have vehicle weight in mind when they design it, they know that light = better acceleration, handling, and mpg's.

you might try running one size skinnier tires, that would reduce friction (increase mpg) far more than dropping even a couple hundred pounds.

 

[hlg99]

I made my wife get out and walk, made my ride quieter at least.

 

[97 EB Mike]

I made my wife get out and walk, made my ride quieter at least.

Its rare that I literally laugh out loud at something online...this just made my day!