Weight Reduction

I've been searching the forums and can't find anything about weight reduction. Does anyone have any info on how to make their Tundra lighter? Maybe something along the lines of what interior components to remove, what fabricators make lighter replacement parts, or just generally how to make your truck a little nimbler?

 

A Tundra is many things...but like an aircraft carrier, light and nimble aren't one of em. I guess you could get a standard cab, stripped. Then lighter rims and tires, 2wd of course. Put a supercharger on it, smaller gas tank, pull out pass seat.

Its just the wrong tool for the job honestly.

 

Removing stock exhaust that is surprisingly heavy and replace with dirty deeds dual budget exhaust

 

I realize I'm not going to get any drastic differences. But I read an article that mentioned reducing vehicle weight by 100 pounds can improve MPG by 1-2%, saving you an extra 5 cents or so a gallon. Was hoping someone might have been holding on to some info on how to best capitalize on that.

Plus there's always that appeal of thinking you've got the advantage over the other guy.

 

I understand where your going, but the I think the engineers at Toyota would have preferred better mileage if it was cost effective, didn't diminish performance (4.30 gears, etc) , didn't decrease reliability, or alter the utility/identity of the product.
Ergo.. You have the most efficient, reliable, and performing pickup truck Toyota could produce at price point consumers are willing to pay.

You do have an advantage over the other guys. Ford, Chevy, Dodge have horrid reliability issues. They've cheapened tons of parts seen and unseen, and reduced their trucks to the like of cheap Chinese toys with alot of lights and sounds... That break and demand to be replaced due to planned obsolescence and profit above all else.

Don't for one minute think you have an inferior truck because it shocks don't lower as you approach the truck.. Lol

Lastly, you'll likely make more progress in gaining higher fuel mileage by keeping a stellar maintenance regimen, not idling for days, and not sprinting light to light.

 

I believe you can get some fiberglass panels, but not sure. I’m pretty sure that you can get a fiberglass hood. A smaller fuel tank is available. Lighter wheels are probably available. This is all i can think of

 

You have the wrong truck if you’re looking for light weight and better gas mileage in a pickup. Not even Ford or Chevy can honestly say that they can get car like gas mileage in any of their pickups.

Going lighter is a major challenge. The weight loss will be minimal at best. But, you may be able to knock a few pounds off with some of the listed mods below, while keeping the truck practical:

*Carbon fiber hood
*Lighther aftermarket exhaust
*Lighter aftermarket wheels/tires
*Removal of the tailgate
*Lighter radiator
*Remove the spare tire
*Carbon fiber/fiberglass rocker panels (if available).
*Front & rear bumpers delete
*Replace all seating with lighter aftermarket ones.
*Replace all power equipment from the interior with manual operator. I.e., power window motor (use windup), manual seating.

 

The best way to improve mileage in our Tundras is by changing how you drive.
Hold to 65mph max
Coast to stops
Accelerate slowly

But what fun is that?

 

If you save all of your money from the light weight mods everyone suggested you could just buy a $3k civic, park the tundra, drive the tundra on the weekends and not give a crap about mpg since you saved so much on fuel during the week. Done. You're welcome.
Thread closed.

 

Remove the rear hitch/receiver...that should get you about 50lbs.

Maybe look at the brake calipers...usually there are wildwood or other aftermarket calipers that reduce the unsprung weight of the stock calipers. Not sure though how heavy the stock caliper is compared to an aftermarket version.

However, "Its just the wrong tool for the job honestly.", is the answer.

 

Light wheels (a lot of $$$), light street tires (wimpy looking, at least to me). Some race guys even shave off their rotors. Rolling mass has more effect in permanence (or mpg) than static mass.

Absolutely no mods like lift/level. You could take off the rear seat. Carry nothing in your truck.

But then again, what fun is that?

 

There was a thread over on TT a while back about someone wanting to lose weight so he decided to delete his spare tire. Here was my response to that one:

Losing weight? To what end? Do you race your truck? Are you trying to get better mileage?

It's a TRUCK! They aren't supposed to be light. They don't get good gas mileage.

While you are at it you could trim other unnecessary weight:

1. Seat belts. I mean seriously, how many times have you had to use those in your life? Statistically speaking, you will "probably" never need those.
2. Stereo and speakers. You can sing to yourself.
3. Cup holders, sun visors, floor mats, etc. Creature comforts and options are for weenies.
4. Passenger seats. If they don't have a car of their own - they are SOL.
5. Windows. Invest in some good goggles and a winter jacket.
6. Hood/Fenders/other useless body panels. Who cares what this thing looks like - it's a TRUCK!
7. Some of the lugnuts. I mean come on - do you really need 5 per wheel???
8. Sway bar. (Actually - I'm being serious on this one).
9. Doors. These things just get in the way all of the time. You need quick access to your truck.

 

X2...You'll spend less on a +30mpg car than you will trying to squeeze another 1-2 mpg out of the Tundra based on weight reduction. This is why I drive my 11 year old Toyota Matrix 7 days a week, 33mpg average over the last few years. The Tundra only moves when I need the bed space or I'm pulling something. The nearly 3X higher mpg adds up fast and easily negates the $300 a year I spend to insure the Matrix. Never mind the fact that I keep miles off the more expensive to maintain Tundra (Tires, brakes, oil...). Ultimately also keeping the value of the Tundra higher with lower miles.

Now if you wanted to lighten up the truck for the 1/4 mile I would understand. My buddy has a 9 second Dodge 2500 Cummins. It's interior partially gutted, the bed is just fiberglass skins, the rear frame has been chopped at the cab for a 4 link rear, and an entire fiberglass 1 piece for the front is in the works. This is obviously to the extreme, but the only real reason I could understand for putting so much effort into reducing the weight of a truck.

Easiest way to increase mileage has been stated by many and has everything to do with how you drive and highway cruising speed.

 

Diet and exercise

 

Reducing un-sprung weight (tires, wheels & brakes) is a good thing.
Reducing sprung weight is a really good thing.
F & R sway bars enhance nimbleness.


Being that we drive big trucks that aren't aerodynamic, the rewards are small.

 

Yeah it helps a lot actually. I do it all the time. I get up to 17mpg!!! For about 2-3 minutes then I realize what I'm driving

 

Did I stumble into a Miata forum?! I mean, the WRX forums were my thing at some point, but never did I think about removing seats or anything... It's truck bro, it's made to haul.

 

Hello all. I'm new to this forum but weight reduction in a tundra is possible and has a purpose. I'm currently pulling competitively with my tundra crewmax and doing very well with it. If your looking to save weight there are a few tricks. Pull the spare tire. Don't run with a full tank of fuel. Keep all unnecessary clutter out of the cab. Pull the spare tire Jack. Electric fan swap. Remove stock muffler. Remove tailgate. Remove rear bumper for roll pan. Smaller fuel tank/cell. Carbon fiber hood. Fiberglass box. Swap rear window for lexan. I'm sure theres a few other things if you really get creative. If you just want better mileage try a catback exhaust and a k&n drop in filter. Mild tune and a tonneau cover. Or buy a shitbox civic for daily driving.

 

Year old thread

 

I could easily reduce the weight of my truck down to 4500 lbs or less, and I'm sure it would accelerate quicker but the rear suspension and brick like aerodynamics prevent it from being a pleasure to drive above 120 mph or so, and the slight increase in fuel economy wouldn't be worth the effort.

 

WTF?...what is “pulling competitively?”

 

I’m to lazy to rad all this but remember that sprung, in spring, and rotational mass all affect things in different proportions. The best single thing you can do is find some wickedly light wheels and low rolling resistance tires.

Maybe light brake rotors too.