I've been researching options to lighten up my Maverick and I'd like to hear what you guys have tried and how it worked out for you. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
what do you want to do with it? That'll make a big difference. I took the rear seat out of mine, Replaced the front seats with Plastic bucket seats, Removed the gas tank, put in a fuel cell. Went to aluminum wheels, smaller wheels in front. Aluminum radiator and heads. Fiberglass hood. And finally the driver lost 65 pounds.
At this point I'm crunching the numbers on a Mpg warrior. Heads, intake and radiator are definitely switching to aluminum. I hadn't thought of wheels. How long have you ran like this? Any disadvantages?
Older doors are about 50 lbs ligher EACH! Of course you give up safety during a collision in return for lighter weight. Small bumpers save you about 60 lbs on each end.
What years would be considered "Older"? I also happen to love my big bumpers. I'm sick like that. I've read something about taking out the "liner" inside the front bumper when tucking them and then just welding the rails to the rear of it. I'm shooting for that when I tuck mine.
Here is a place that makes reproduction fiberglass body parts they have 4 diffrent types of hoods the regular maverick hood and a grabber and 2 others with scoops. they also have deck lids and they have doors and fenders the doors and fenders are selled as a pair... if anyone knows anyone else who makes parts please tell me... thanks http://www.usbody.com/ the link is on the the left side of the page and they are located in florida hope this helps.
Older doors are 73 and earlier, I think. By 74 they put the huge reinforcement bar...not a bar, but a chunk of steel as big as the big bumpers, inside the door from front to back. I am sure you could figure out how to remove the "guts" of the big bumpers and just mount the chrome plated outside part. That should shed quite a few pounds.
Anyone dealt with USBODY? I think I have heard that the hoods need to be worked on before they fit well. They are cast fairly crudely, and need to have the edges sanded to follow the stock lines.
The change must be in 1974. I've got the door panels off my parts car and there is definitely a very large reinforcement girder basically.
I've run those wheels for 7 or 8 years now. Also my hood is from US Body. I didn't have to do any work to make it fit. But it is a pin on hood.
You could gut the bumpers(cut out the inner bumper,just leave enough to bolt to the "shocks").Gut the rear doors,make the (lexan) windows stationary.Fiberglass hood.Lightweight bucket seats.Strip out the sound deadner/carpet.Lightweight wheels.Keep in mind everything you do will make the car more annoying/less safe to drive on the streets.How far are you willing to take it?
