Reducing weight

Post by **Wesley** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:56 pm

Everyone is always going on about getting more power but ive never seen anything in here about reducing weight to gain performance and since weight is so important in a zook does anyone have any tricks to cut it down?

Post by **atari4x4** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:57 pm

i removed the sway bar & rear seats from my vitara.

Post by **christover1** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:27 pm

For a big weight reduction, I just get out.
And make sure I go to the loo, before getting in

Seriously.
I took 8" off the tub, and threw away my fibreglass roof,
plus no rear window glass and roof saves a lot of weight.
also no sway bar.

I also trimmed down the tools/spares I carry, to essentials only.
No carpets or interior trim helps a tad.

I only carry spare motor oil, as I could use in a diff/gearbox in emergency

Post by **dank** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:51 pm

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2/ft ... highlight=

This thread is gold for weight reduction. I am planning on running some comps in the future....whenever I get my zook back on the road....and we came up with a good list of weight reduction hints and tips...be aware its orietnated towards comps so some may affect road worthiness of the vehicle.

Post by **zookimal** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:04 pm

I'm trying to minimise weight in my current build and what I have to keep I'll keep as low as possible.

Post by **alien** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:02 am

back seats makes a huge difference - as does swapping out the front seats for something a little leaner.

rims would make a huge difference and tyre choice would also help, although this is weight down low.

a smaller battery would help too i suppose (ie: standard battery).

fibreglass bonnets are available (but very expensive and easily warped).

polycarb front windows can be had (but illegal)

i suppose you could go half doors or no doors...

tailgate is very heavy too, if youre not hanging a spare off it a fibreglass one could go there?

then you come to removing the fan/stereo/speakers/trim =) but honestly if you're going that far lay off the donuts for a few weeks and go for a run now and then!

other than that all thats left is "speed holes" =)

Post by **grimbo** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:46 am

be careful though as taking too much weight off will affect traction. On my old Zuk we had to make the rear tray heavier than the stock tray was as we found that the additional weight over the rear wheels improved the traction and handling

Post by **11_evl** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:29 am

dank wrote:http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2/ft ... highlight=

This thread is gold for weight reduction. I am planning on running some comps in the future....whenever I get my zook back on the road....and we came up with a good list of weight reduction hints and tips...be aware its orietnated towards comps so some may affect road worthiness of the vehicle.

Thats a very interesting thread, i remember reading it ages ago.
steve put some very good but time consuming

info

Post by **GRPABT1** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:11 am

Like grimbo mentioned evening out the weight is important. A ute chop will save alot, but the engine bay is where you want the savings, so tube bars, whinch rope, re-located batteries etc are all good things.

Post by **ZUKPOWER** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:53 pm

GRPABT1 wrote:Like grimbo mentioned evening out the weight is important. A ute chop will save alot, but the engine bay is where you want the savings, so tube bars, whinch rope, re-located batteries etc are all good things.

a ute chop will add to the weight of the zuk as any tray you build will way more than the original paper thin body did

Post by **christover1** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:08 pm

Moving my fuel tank forward of the axle helped with balance when climbing.

Post by **GRPABT1** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:47 pm

ZUKPOWER wrote:
GRPABT1 wrote:Like grimbo mentioned evening out the weight is important. A ute chop will save alot, but the engine bay is where you want the savings, so tube bars, whinch rope, re-located batteries etc are all good things.
a ute chop will add to the weight of the zuk as any tray you build will way more than the original paper thin body did

But factor in lack of seats, soft top and that you can build a light tray and you will find it's lighter.

Post by **mrRocky** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:35 pm

most of the weight is in the cab, its all double , tripple and quadroople skinned, speed holes everywhere, and remove a layer here and there would do the trick, but the bodies are pretty flimsy as it is.

Post by **Wesley** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:58 pm

All this info is great keep it coming

Post by **mrRocky** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:14 pm

u r ghay

Post by **MUD-PIGSIERRA** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:01 pm

Battery is in a sealed box behind passenger seat, instead of sitting bonnet height, plus don't know about you guys but battery's in the NT generally only last a year or so with the heat. I have not had to touch the battery since I have got my Sierra or clean it or anything it stays clean and away from the elements.

Oh I put my axles under the springs so they are even closer to the ground lower COG.....

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Reducing weight

Reducing weight

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