10-31-2023, 06:49 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: St. Albans, Maine
Posts: 12
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Location: St. Albans, Maine
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At 25k miles per year saving .5 mpg @$3.50/gal is $175. Not saying that makes a point one way or the other but it's more than $30 and for me makes it worth the discussion and thought.
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2018 TRD Off Road. 2" Ironman lift, Cali Raised lights, step sliders and roof rack, RCI Pike winch bumper, 12K Apex.
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10-31-2023, 07:17 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: san diego
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HELGA
At 25k miles per year saving .5 mpg @$3.50/gal is $175. Not saying that makes a point one way or the other but it's more than $30 and for me makes it worth the discussion and thought.
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lighter the vehicle, the less of a dog it is and less stress on the drivetrain.
Right now, I'm trying to put my vehicle on a weight loss program without sacrificing too much protection and clearance. It's really difficult and expensive
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2016 trail 4runner, twin locked on 34's.
Can read more of my build here (2 parts):
https://www.lasfit.com/blogs/news/ho...ad-build-part1
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11-01-2023, 09:02 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bay Area, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inv4drZm
To me it seems hard to justify spending $600 more for armor that's not as strong that'll only save 100 lbs if I do the math on the 3 skids and a front bumper.
I don't know what the mpg benefit of saving 100lbs is, but if its half of a mpg then you save $30/yr if you daily the truck. Meaning it'll pay off in 20 years.
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The weight savings is quite a bit more than that. If I was using steel for a bumper and skids I would be at least 200 lbs heavier. At 6300 lbs at current full trip weight that is unacceptable to me. Mostly for the added burden of getting the truck through technical rocky stuff on the trails I know you and I like to frequent.
Should I be rock crawling a full camp setup? Probably not but it's fun to do it and believe or not I still get 16mpg on the highway because of my conservative tire choice.
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'12 Silver 4Runner SR5: 14+ facelift, CBI front, CBI Rear, Warn EVO 10-S, ARB Snorkel, Baja Designs 30" S8, Squadron Sports, S2 Rack Lights, King 2.5 Suspension, OME 899, 33" Cooper ST Maxx, Full CBI Skids, Metaltech Sliders, GFC Tent, ARB Awning
Xtremluck's 2012 SR5 Build Thread
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11-01-2023, 09:07 AM
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#19
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Join Date: Dec 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by comtn4x4
Obviously it depends on which bumpers you're using as examples but the weight savings on a front bumper alone is 100#, for the skids add another 80-100#. I think the 100# in the front makes the biggest difference personally. Don't have to run as stiff a coil.
I'll have to agree with @ Xtremluck . I've had my aluminum front bumper and skids for 8 years and they've done very well through some pretty good abuse. It does matter who you buy from and how they're built same as it does with steel.
As far as sliders and rear bumper goes I'm in 100% agreement, steel is the way to go.
*added note: There's not a single thing on my rig that was a good investment or will justify it's expense at any point in time. It's all purely for my own joy. |
You are spot on, definitely steel for sliders and rear bumper. Although I have bent both my steel sliders and broken welds on their mounts. Also my rear steel CBI bumper is bent and it has to be one of the heaviest and most stout options out there. Steel isn't invincible but there is no denying it is stronger than aluminum.
It's all about the applications and where you can get away with using lighter stuff. For me I tend to be careful about front bumper placement so if there is a rock strike it isnt as violent as when I drag my rear off a rock shelf or go over rocks with my sliders.
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'12 Silver 4Runner SR5: 14+ facelift, CBI front, CBI Rear, Warn EVO 10-S, ARB Snorkel, Baja Designs 30" S8, Squadron Sports, S2 Rack Lights, King 2.5 Suspension, OME 899, 33" Cooper ST Maxx, Full CBI Skids, Metaltech Sliders, GFC Tent, ARB Awning
Xtremluck's 2012 SR5 Build Thread
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11-01-2023, 10:44 AM
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#20
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Kansas
Age: 28
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I must have done my prior math at like 25 mpg thinking it would be the same difference for 15 mpg.
15 vs 15.5 for 12.5k/ year, you do save around $90/year, but I don't know if its a half mpg difference just throwing numbers around.
I would love to shed weight, I weighed the rear seats which I rarely use and that's 75lbs and located fairly high on the center of gravity.
Aftermarket front seats would shed weight too.....
Regarding material choice for skid plates, the heavier skids should actually *lower* your center of gravity. I would love to experiment with 1/8" AR skidplates I have everything modeled on my PC just need to send it to a local shop to have cut.
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2005 4R Sport 4WD "The last of the V8s!" - Custom TIG'd SS Dual Exhaust - King 2.5" +2 LT. - ARB Front & Rear - 37's - Dana 60 - Build Thread
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1977 Celica Liftback - LFX Swap - Build Thread
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11-01-2023, 12:20 PM
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#21
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Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Denver
Posts: 297
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inv4drZm
Regarding material choice for skid plates, the heavier skids should actually *lower* your center of gravity. I would love to experiment with 1/8" AR skidplates I have everything modeled on my PC just need to send it to a local shop to have cut.
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With infinite budget I think press hardened boron steel like the new Colorado ZR2 Bison would be badass. 200k yield strength means you could go thinner and still be stronger than most everything else.
If considering aluminun, I think weight and location of weight relative to height and to your drive axles should also be considered. A full steel bumper + winch is big cantilever around you rear axle. If you had to choose a single piece of armor to build out of aluminum I think front bumpers are the best choice. Steel mounting brackets for peace of mind.
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11-02-2023, 09:35 AM
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#22
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by El Dusty
With infinite budget I think press hardened boron steel like the new Colorado ZR2 Bison would be badass. 200k yield strength means you could go thinner and still be stronger than most everything else.
If considering aluminun, I think weight and location of weight relative to height and to your drive axles should also be considered. A full steel bumper + winch is big cantilever around you rear axle. If you had to choose a single piece of armor to build out of aluminum I think front bumpers are the best choice. Steel mounting brackets for peace of mind.
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Good call out I know AEV loves to use that material. I'm always impressed with their offerings. Would love to see how they've held up to real use.
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'12 Silver 4Runner SR5: 14+ facelift, CBI front, CBI Rear, Warn EVO 10-S, ARB Snorkel, Baja Designs 30" S8, Squadron Sports, S2 Rack Lights, King 2.5 Suspension, OME 899, 33" Cooper ST Maxx, Full CBI Skids, Metaltech Sliders, GFC Tent, ARB Awning
Xtremluck's 2012 SR5 Build Thread
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12-21-2023, 11:31 PM
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#23
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 34
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CBI aluminum was out of my price range so went with aluminum blitz bumper from Victory 4x4. It is featherweight compared to steel. Hopefully I could install it as soon as the winch gets delivered.
Only concern is durability of aluminum. It’s seems it’s 70/30. More people favoring steel over aluminum but I think it all comes down to utility and purpose of your rig.
It’s pretty awesome to see OP with the CBIs tackling some rocks.
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12-22-2023, 06:27 AM
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#24
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,300
Real Name: BLACK TRD PRO
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I have UHMW. If no one mentioned it, steel is easier to fix. I know I might get flamed here, but, with lots of members running large heavy tires, aftermarket skids, sliders, bumpers and roof racks, regardless of material, added to a stock 2-1/2 ton brick, the saving of 100 or 200 pounds seems a little trite.
How many members weigh between 2-300#’s.
Just teasing you guys. I agree with forum member Comtn4x4’s quote;
“There's not a single thing on my rig that was a good investment or will justify it's expense at any point in time. It's all purely for my own joy.”
Merry Christmas to all of you on the forum.
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12-22-2023, 08:44 AM
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#25
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 34
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I personally think every piece of weight does matter.
Bone stock 4runner with four passengers. Not sure if anyone remembers, it’s like turtle on wheels. One less passenger you could see and feel the difference.
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12-23-2023, 05:50 AM
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#26
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: san diego
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everything is about compromises and what you plan on doing with your vehicles.
I personally am trying to save weight where I can by replacing my steel armor with aluminum. By doing so, it makes the overall driving experience more enjoyable for me. This is a compromise I am willing to make.
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2016 trail 4runner, twin locked on 34's.
Can read more of my build here (2 parts):
https://www.lasfit.com/blogs/news/ho...ad-build-part1
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12-23-2023, 04:48 PM
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#27
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: St. Albans, Maine
Posts: 12
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Location: St. Albans, Maine
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I like the lighter weight for sure, but being in northeast, this place is a salt lick 3+ months of the year, so we also are constantly fighting Fe2O3 on this thing. We don't get to play offroad as often as most so I honestly don't feel as though longevity will be an issue the more I ponder. We're unlikely to be pulling with it more than a few times per year. Maybe makes sense to go Al and if we turn into hard-core trail rats just cough up for a steel version at that point as necessity dictates.
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2018 TRD Off Road. 2" Ironman lift, Cali Raised lights, step sliders and roof rack, RCI Pike winch bumper, 12K Apex.
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12-23-2023, 04:50 PM
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#28
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: St. Albans, Maine
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Varied points of view really appreciated here Folks.
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2018 TRD Off Road. 2" Ironman lift, Cali Raised lights, step sliders and roof rack, RCI Pike winch bumper, 12K Apex.
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