hey guys i duno if this has come up or not, if it has just show me a link and ill delete this thread. but im wondering how can i make my 4runner as lite as possible? i realize this might include gutting a lot of it which is ok, i dont need it to be pretty. anything will help

 

What year? On my 2000 I,Deleted runningboards and mudflaps, I drive around town without the spare, lower front bumper valence, roofrack, jack and tools, elbow removal, rear window diffusor, emblems, fender flairs, lugnut covers, floormats, tow hitch bar thing.

 

its an 87 4runner, i wanna keep the hitch cuz lots of ppl get rearended where i live. i already took the running boards and mud flaps off. what about if i cut the supports that are inside the hood? wont that just make if flimbsy (sp?) or is that a bad idea?

 

Get a can-back canvas top and ditch the fiberglass top. Aluminum wheels, remove any sound deadening. What's the goal?

 

i cant aford a can-back soft top but ive been thinking of a way to make my own ghetto top from a tarp or something... it might be to ghetto for me but we'll see. and i already have aluminum wheels so that parts good. the goal... just another project to have fun with, and its a 4cyl so i want the truck to be really lite. as for the top, doesnt it weigh somewhere around 175lbs, does ne one know?

 

Somewhere i found on the net a guy who made a good looking can back for a 4 runner cost him under $300 i plan on doing it soon as i read it and it seemed do-able. I willl try to find again when i do ill post link

 

Don't cut the supports in the hood. Not a good idea to make that flimsy.

I'm sure you've already considered taking out the back seats...

 

Make it a 2WD if it's not already
You can take out the back seats. When I did my sounde deadening project, my backs were not so heavy, but I was amazed at the fronts (heated/leather). AT least 60 LBS each.

 

This will save some weight.

 

yeah, who needs seats anyway???

 

If it was a 3.slow, I'd say get rid of the engine. Might not notice much difference...

(don't get me wrong. I loved my '90...)

 

Yea, when I had my carpet, setats, and pneling off (wile soundproofing) I had noticeably better acceleration but it was loud and heck in the cab.

 

Ditch the engine, go with a Lycoming aircooled.
Dump the tranny and t-case, use a prop instead.
Drill 1/2 inch holes 1 inch apart on every piece of sheetmetal and your frame too.
Ditch the wheels for bicycle wheels and tires.

Seriously though....Why would you be worried about weight if you bought a truck? Ever see a Honda Element?

 

Just once for a trip to the dunes I left the top home and took off the tailgate, doors, and took out the rear seats. (85 4Runner) Holy Cow what difference! Musta been a total of 800-900 pounds off. But it's not practical. A canvas top is pretty easy, but the back window is kinda tough to get right, especially if you want to use the rear window. I made one from with some tent poles, made wood pieced that go on with the stock top bolts all around, and sewed the top myself. But then I have a heavy duty sewing machine (for boat canvas and stuff.)

In the real world, lightening it with all the little things you can do doesn't really do much for you on the trails, except maybe for the top.

 

tube doors

 

Take out the rear seats....take out the roll bar....doesn't do anything anyway.
Take of the spare tire carrier.

Get fiberglass fenders and hood.

take off your skid plate

Take off your gas cap door

 

this is a neat thread!.....and the complete polar opposite of what I've been doing....seems I just keep ADDING more and more metal....more and more poundage!

(and driving slower and slower!)

aaron

 

Have you thought about removing any A/C components? I'm sure there are at least a couple of non-essential items bolted under the hood.

 

let the rust do it's thing, it'll get lighter by the day.

Had a subaru that I ran without power steering for a few months, got used to that pretty quick. Not sure I'd try it in my 4runner though, might be a bit much. Gut the interior & everytime you really miss something then it's essential & should be put back. Drill holes in your rotors and brake, gas, clutch pedals. Heck, drill holes in everything you can. Isn't the Sonoran Steel bumper lighter than a factory bumper + hitch? Fill your tires with helium.

This is a fun thread, can we make it sticky?

 

Sawzall