This thread got me thinking that it'd be nice (especially for those of us with 4-cylinder engines) to make a list of ways to keep the TJ light. @Chris, if you agree, we can make this a resource.
I'll make a start below, and will update as ideas come in through others' posts. Also, if you know an estimate of how much weight would be lost with any items below, let me know and I'll update.
I'll make a start below, and will update as ideas come in through others' posts. Also, if you know an estimate of how much weight would be lost with any items below, let me know and I'll update.
Deletions:
- Back Seat
- Passenger Seat
- Spare Tire (if you dare)
Replacements:
- Hard Top ==> Soft Top
- Full Doors ==> Half Doors
- Matching Spare ==> Pizza-Cutter Spare on Light Wheel
- Factory Tranny Skid ==> Aluminum Option (e.g. Savvy)
- Factory Gas Tank Skid ==> Aluminum Option (e.g. Savvy)
- Note: Savvy gas skid is 4 pounds heavier than 03-06 factory skid. 97-02 factory skid is lighter.
- Steel Corner Guards ==> Aluminum Option (e.g. Genright)
- Aluminum full corner guards saves 49lbs over steel?
- Steel Fenders ==> MCE or Aluminum Option (e.g. Genright)
- Front fenders are 9.3lbs each, versus steel at 21.75lbs each?
- Rear fender pair is 30lbs lighter than the steel pair?
- Wheel Choice: doubly important because it is not only weight, but rotational mass, too.
- Tire Choice: doubly important because it is not only weight, but rotational mass, too.
- Example: Chris's 35" Nitto Trail Grapplers weigh 82lbs each, versus the 35" Goodyear MT/Rs at 62lbs?
- Control Arms: Not worth worrying about.
- Winch Cable ==> Synthetic Line
Temptations / Compromises:
- Body armor.
- Sound deadening material.
- Mass-backed aftermarket carpet.
- Sand bags in the back, to make shocks feel softer (yes really).
- Aftermarket off-road bumpers. (To keep things light, see this thread.)
- Drive-train wise, your biggest weight adders will be moving from a Dana 30/35 combination to Dana 44s front and rear. And, adding a 241 transfer case. This is why you see a 300 lb difference between the sport and Rubicon models. (from @Irun)
References:
- Wikipedia Curb Weight: 3,092–3,857 lb (1,403–1,750 kg)
- FourWheelTrends, 05–06: 3,460 lbs (curb) and 4,450 lbs (gross weight)
Forum Member Reports:
- @bluescapegoat wrote his results here.
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