Weight saving plan: What have you done?

[Inv4drZm]

Who is making AR400 skids? I've wondered why that isn't more common given the strength and weight savings.

Nobody that I know of, I was looking into making them for myself.

Price is the biggest issue, it varies quite a bit from what I've seen for online pricing. Doubles as making the underside of your truck literally bulletproof though.

 

[fastdiablo]

Going out of your way for weight savings on a truck like this is like loading up on goodies then getting a diet coke at McDonnalds.

I know every pound counts, but that's not really what these trucks are about to me. Its not a platform where making decisions about saving few pounds here and there is going to impact anything note worthy.

I'm going to carry the weight, but how I load the truck, balance, and where I put the weight actually more a bigger difference than the weight itself.

As an example, water tanks, spare tires, and other heavy gear gets mounted as low as possible instead on the roof. Keep the center of gravity low, but as far as the actual weight is concerned... could care less because I need everything that's in it.

I think it's more about the cumulative effect by making many collective, intelligent decisions rather than ham fisting the "i don't care about weight" approach. To each his own of course, but with smaller decisions like aluminum armor, synthetic line and a lightweight mindset across an entire build, the difference can be 500lbs+, which is very noticeable on an already heavy, underpowered and mediocre mpg vehicle. if done correctly, you can have a full armor and loaded build and still have close to the performance of a stock 4runner.

this is a great thread OP!

 

[adio3x]

Over the past 8 years, I've changed things up quite a bit.

-Swapped out my Gobi Stealth for a Prinsu full rack. The gobi weighs a ton. The prinsu + my full hardshell RTT, weighs less than a gobi without anything on it.

-Minimalist camping/organizing. I have 2 plano 68 quart organizers that fit on the passenger side rear seats folded down. One is for food, the other is for camping shit. I was just on a trip out west for 10 days, everything I ever needed fit in these two cases. Camp chairs have been replaced with these lightweight folding backpack style chairs, fits into a little tiny bag, takes up no room and weighs nothing.

-A Fridge/Dual battery. Throughout the years I've gone through several setups. My first being an ARB 50qt daisy chained to 2 goal zero 350 packs, which were then chained to a couple of panels on my rack. This in theory was my best option at the time, but with increasing heat out west, the batteries couldn't keep up with how much power was being drawn, then over night the batteries would be depleted cause they weren't collecting enough power while being drawn during the daytime. I scrapped this idea and used an engel cooler for a few years. This just added weight with ice. My final setup is two optima yellow top group 35 batteries and a national luna kit.

 

[Bumbo]

I think it's more about the cumulative effect by making many collective, intelligent decisions rather than ham fisting the "i don't care about weight" approach. To each his own of course, but with smaller decisions like aluminum armor, synthetic line and a lightweight mindset across an entire build, the difference can be 500lbs+, which is very noticeable on an already heavy, underpowered and mediocre mpg vehicle. if done correctly, you can have a full armor and loaded build and still have close to the performance of a stock 4runner.

this is a great thread OP!

My comments were in response to the OPs original post where he wrote:

"Shaving weight...often times in extremes was everything for the track. I don't think overlanding (or...pick whatever word you want) should be any different."

I get where hes coming from but I don't necessarily agree with the statement because of the extreme.

The OPs comment reminded me of most of my peer group who is into racing, track cars, and the Lemons race series... the level in which they look at weight reduction and the amount of obsession over it gets a bit too much at times.

Don't get me wrong, I know all this stuff matters, and I agree about the cumulative effect of weight, but I just don't take to to an extreme. I am generally more mindful of where I put the weight, trying to avoid areas that increase CG.

An easy example is many people here are most likely to get a 285 over a 255, that alone as a starting point should be obvious to anyone in the know but many just like the look of a fatter tire. I also agree with what you say about intelligent decisions, but often times its a money and availability conversation.

I've driven many different rigs, even ones that are very loaded up, and the best handling ones were not the lightest trucks, it was the one with even better suspension. Specifically long travel setups with a secondary bypass.

The weight appears to be less of an issue when you can actually control it.

 

[fastdiablo]

My comments were in response to the OPs original post where he wrote:

"Shaving weight...often times in extremes was everything for the track. I don't think overlanding (or...pick whatever word you want) should be any different."

I get where hes coming from but I don't necessarily agree with the statement because of the extreme.

The OPs comment reminded me of most of my peer group who is into racing, track cars, and the Lemons race series... the level in which they look at weight reduction and the amount of obsession over it gets a bit too much at times.

Don't get me wrong, I know all this stuff matters, and I agree about the cumulative effect of weight, but I just don't take to to an extreme. I am generally more mindful of where I put the weight, trying to avoid areas that increase CG.

An easy example is many people here are most likely to get a 285 over a 255, that alone as a starting point should be obvious to anyone in the know but many just like the look of a fatter tire. I also agree with what you say about intelligent decisions, but often times its a money and availability conversation.

I've driven many different rigs, even ones that are very loaded up, and the best handling ones were not the lightest trucks, it was the one with even better suspension. Specifically long travel setups with a secondary bypass.

The weight appears to be less of an issue when you can actually control it.

well said!

 

[Rack]

How? I haven't gotten better than 16 and don't have near that much weight.

Could be an altitude problem. Colorado?

 

[83Mule]

I bought light wheels and went 275 instead of 285, aluminum RCI skids, All-Pro sliders are only 45 lbs a side. I plan to go cookie-cutter or ''C'' 285's on my next tire choice for weight and drag. No vehicle I have owned ''drags'' itself down from speed when I let off the gas like the 5th gen does! There is a lot of aero and mechanical drag in this package and the MPG reflects it!:director:

 

[Bumbo]

There is a lot of aero and mechanical drag in this package and the MPG reflects it!:director:

Generally that's what happens when you have the aerodynamic profile of a refrigerator.

 

[1jzgte]

I'm curious what kind of mileage you guys are trying to get?

I just completed a 300 mile trip, 1 passenger + our gear.
I have a lift, 275/70/17's, a gobi rack, dual batteries and BBHWM with a Warn winch, and ARB drawers in back full of tools. Also ran the A/C on low most of the way.

19.5 mpg.......I don't think it gets much better than that.

not teasing or makin fun but does running ac on a lower setting actuate the compressor off and on? I believe this is how models equipped w/ auto climate operate but what about the models w/ just normal knobs.

My thinking is why the hell am I going to keep it on a low to middle setting when the friggin a/c compressor is leeching off my mpg and engine! I just keep it on full blast and redirect the air. HAHA oh man overthinking sucks

 

[1jzgte]

Probably has to do with speed. I can get around 22mpg towing my camper if I go 55mph. Totally empty at 90mph - more like 17. If I stay around 80ish I can usually average about 18-19 (adjusted for tire height). 17.5 on the dash.

jesus really? 22mpg with a camper @ 55mph. God damn toyota just couldnt add a 6th frickin gear to this platform huh

 

[1jzgte]

how much did your mpg go up after that? I've been debating this as well . layball:

add hybrid badges and you're in 50mpg territory

 

[cbielat]

This dude would have a nervous breakdown if he owned my truck. Not to mention a new set of larger tires and wheels to add to it now.

 

[ADK Explorer]

It all depends on what you want to use it for. In my case crawling trails with lots of bowling balls and deep mud. I need to keep it light to get through bogs and washouts. The steal plates are a must. Imagine playing wackamole with your under carriage. They already have several deep gouges down the length of them. From post #152 of my mod thread:

Keeping track of my weight. Mine and the trucks. Got it weighed the other day with full tank of gas. 5060 lbs. Don't know if I'd want to go much heavier.

RCI Rock Sliders ......................110 lbs
RCI Aluminum Integration Skid 10 lbs
RCI Transmission Skid ............. 30 lbs
RCI Transfer Case Skid ............ 30 lbs
C4 Fabrication Fuel Tank Skid . 65 lbs
Pelfrey Hidden Winch Mount ... 45 lbs
Engo 9000 S Winch .................. 55 lbs

Total Weight Mods .................. 345 lbs

 

[nglayton]

not teasing or makin fun but does running ac on a lower setting actuate the compressor off and on? I believe this is how models equipped w/ auto climate operate but what about the models w/ just normal knobs.

I would assume the compressor cycles on any setting high thru low, otherwise the evaporator would freeze solid and no air flows through. I didn't have it set on low to save fuel.

The only reason it was on low setting was to keep the cab from getting stuffy. If I was alone I would have opened the window, but its tough to talk with the wind noise.

 

[Jetboy]

jesus really? 22mpg with a camper @ 55mph. God damn toyota just couldnt add a 6th frickin gear to this platform huh

I found out the hard way. It's about 190 miles between gas stations in Ely Nevada and Tonopah. I think it's the longest stretch in the continental USA between gas stations. So... I didn't know that and had filled up in Wendover. It's 118 miles from Wendover to Ely. So I cruised through Ely with something like 2/3 tank of gas - getting more like 16mpg. I didn't know I was in trouble until we saw the midway point that has a sign that says something like 90miles to the next fuel station both directions. The range was telling me I only had about 60 or something like that. I know there's a bit extra - but if I was only getting 15mpg, it might not be enough extra.

So we actually spent the night because it was dark. Then continued on in the morning at 45ish mph. That was my best peak mpg. I think I got about 23 or 24mpg. Ended up with more than enough fuel. But it took two hours to go 90 miles, LOL. So - fill up in Ely! Also - western and central Nevada are under-appreciated for its ruggedness and unique beauty. Not sure why my pic turns sideways on here.

I'm actually headed there on Tuesday for a trip to the Rubicon. That's the kind of trail where obesity kills. I'm going to run lighter this year than last. If I had somewhere in Tahoe to store them; I'd take the doors off. What I love about the 4Runner is I can drive comfortably from northern Utah 700 miles to the Rubicon, run it, and drive home.

 

[lukeskywalker]

#youredoingitwrong

i wish people (americans esp) would just... not care so much about every little nitty gritty detail to MAximize every little nitty gritty thing.

it's great and all to OPTIMIZE YOUR TRUCK, but at what point can you just sit back and say F it, life is too short, let's just have some fun.

it's just so so so exhausting, like an impetuous fingers snapper constantly behind you telling you to 'keep up' with the pack or get lost. just enough already with the 'optimal bro' thing.

pura vida.

 

[Jetboy]

#youredoingitwrong

i wish people (americans esp) would just... not care so much about every little nitty gritty detail to MAximize every little nitty gritty thing.

it's great and all to OPTIMIZE YOUR TRUCK, but at what point can you just sit back and say F it, life is too short, let's just have some fun.

it's just so so so exhausting, like an impetuous fingers snapper constantly behind you telling you to 'keep up' with the pack or get lost. just enough already with the 'optimal bro' thing.

pura vida.

Americans are tinkerers by nature. It's why America is so successful. The result of tinkering is often failure - but occasionally advancement. Compared to europeans for example who need a permit just to play golf. It's no surprise that new developments come from Europe at a dramatically lower rate. OTOH I don't think most of us are stripping the interior and removing the glass yet.

I also think it's a question of how you look at it. If you're looking at it as a purchaser of stuff from vendors, it looks different from what I think about when I'm sitting at a CAD screen deciding how to design a part - what material thickness to use, how to manufacture it, etc. For example I'm going to make a new gas tank skid tomorrow. The easy option is to just cut a piece of 1/4" plate, bend the edges, and call it a day. But a little more effort in design and manufacturing will result in saving half the weight and having a stronger skid as well. Since I'm using a CNC plasma to cut the parts, the extra effort is primarily just drawing a more complex structure.

 

[1jzgte]

I found out the hard way. It's about 190 miles between gas stations in Ely Nevada and Tonopah. I think it's the longest stretch in the continental USA between gas stations. So... I didn't know that and had filled up in Wendover. It's 118 miles from Wendover to Ely. So I cruised through Ely with something like 2/3 tank of gas - getting more like 16mpg. I didn't know I was in trouble until we saw the midway point that has a sign that says something like 90miles to the next fuel station both directions. The range was telling me I only had about 60 or something like that. I know there's a bit extra - but if I was only getting 15mpg, it might not be enough extra.

So we actually spent the night because it was dark. Then continued on in the morning at 45ish mph. That was my best peak mpg. I think I got about 23 or 24mpg. Ended up with more than enough fuel. But it took two hours to go 90 miles, LOL. So - fill up in Ely! Also - western and central Nevada are under-appreciated for its ruggedness and unique beauty. Not sure why my pic turns sideways on here.

I'm actually headed there on Tuesday for a trip to the Rubicon. That's the kind of trail where obesity kills. I'm going to run lighter this year than last. If I had somewhere in Tahoe to store them; I'd take the doors off. What I love about the 4Runner is I can drive comfortably from northern Utah 700 miles to the Rubicon, run it, and drive home.

did you stop at walker lake? If you haven't i wouldnt recommend it. That place is over run by spiders out of a horror movie.

 

[Jetboy]

did you stop at walker lake? If you haven't i wouldnt recommend it. That place is over run by spiders out of a horror movie.

Never stopped there. Probably can't on this trip. But I might have to check it out sometime.

 

[1jzgte]

Never stopped there. Probably can't on this trip. But I might have to check it out sometime.

im telling you not to
hahah

its mondo gross