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1997 - 2003 Ford F150 General discussion on the Ford 1997 - 2003 F150 truck.

weight reduction

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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 07:59 PM
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Default weight reduction

what are some of the best parts to take of that arnt needed (other than ac )
to get some good weight off?
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 08:00 PM
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spare tire and tailgate

but why??
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 08:02 PM
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spare tire, tailgate, seats other than driver seat... hell might as well take off the bed while your at it what is the purpose of losing the weight? truck on a diet? hahah sorry I'm just messing with ya
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 08:06 PM
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lol no just to lighten it up a bit and maybe get and extra half mile or so on gas.
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 08:38 PM
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Tailgate, spare tire, switch bumpers, hood and fenders to fiberglass would lighten up a little
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 08:58 PM
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Get rid of the spare tire. That way when you get a flat you are screwed. You drive a truck. deal with the terrible gas mileage. You shouldn't be shocked by it.
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 09:03 PM
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You need your tailgate for better fuel mileage, myth-busters proved that
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 09:54 PM
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There are lots of little brackets here and there for the body that you can take off. You could get your glass replaced with Lexan. Wheel and tires packages differ greatly in weight and would give you some of the best MPG with a change. Could take off your wiper arms keep em in the truck in case it rains. Lighter weight suspension parts (unsprung weight) will help and it will help with cornering/braking performance. In general ever pound of unsprung weight reduction is like removing four pounds of sprung weight as performance of the suspension goes. Carpet weighs about 50 pounds if iirc. Shorten the exhaust it has some weight to it, especially if you have the stock system on it still.
And don't worry about getting rid of your spare, might just save your life not changing that tire in 80mph rush hour traffic. A tow can't be over $100 bucks if you live in a big city. Insurance covers tows most of the time now anyways.

Last edited by 1997F150XLT; Mar 31, 2012 at 09:57 PM.
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by SchuLace
Get rid of the spare tire. That way when you get a flat you are screwed. You drive a truck. deal with the terrible gas mileage. You shouldn't be shocked by it.
Why deal with it? Just because you drive a truck doesn't mean you have to "deal" with ****ty gas mileage. Why not do what helps to save money?
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Old Mar 31, 2012 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Jacob.P93
Why deal with it? Just because you drive a truck doesn't mean you have to "deal" with ****ty gas mileage. Why not do what helps to save money?
By the time you spend money to buy the latest fuel saving gadget, it will take you a long time to recoup that money. I am all for saving money on gas by getting rid of things that you don't need. The way I understand the OP, this is his DD. I would consider a spare to be fairly important. If you bought a truck for a DD and thought you were going to get great mileage, you are an idiot.

Get rid of the junk that is piling up in the back seat or bed that you really don't need.
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