Weight.

I've got a 78 f150.
466/c6/205
44/9"
38" Boggers

Races around here are getting more competitive. Folks switching to small bodies with big motors. I'm wondering how much weight could be saved by putting an extended cab ranger body on my frame? Would the extended cab body's wheel wells match the wheel base of my short box f150? Would it even be worth it? What other tricks ya'll do to save weight? I've removed everything that isn't needed, and moved as much as I can to the rear.

is your box gutted
firewall cut out
rear of the cab cut out
i have even seen floors cut out
can you remove glass
skin the doors and fenders
you would be supprised how light you can make any body
i am not shure if a raner body would be lighter
i would think it might be just a hair lighter if you go to a ex cab
but not much
if you got the cash you can do fiberglass
doors fenders hood box sides
but that gets pricey

I did exactly what your talking about, I turned this http://www.460ford.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2099&stc=1&d=1250302476

into this
http://www.460ford.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2100&stc=1&d=1250303317

http://www.460ford.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2101&stc=1&d=1250302476
http://www.460ford.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2102&stc=1&d=1250302476

with the old motor and cast heads, c6, np205, it was about 3750lbs, thats all steel factory panels but gutted as much as they could be, oh, and at that it still had all the glass,and the factory steering, its less then that now but I haven't gotten it weighed,
it wasn't that hard to do, I cut about 5" out of the front of the box sides to make the wheel wells line up

there some pics of the body swap on my photo bucket site here:http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii55/touchngo2/?start=60

if you have any questions ask away

Steve

Sweet. That's what I'm thinking.

I wished to lighten up my '78 F150 so I am going to fiberglass parts. I got very, very lucky on the purchase otherwise it would have been way too costly. I am not finished with the change yet but hope to be in a week or so, we have a big mud bog Labor Day weekend and I look forward to trying it out after its "weight loss regimen".

214421452146

A 88 single cab ranger full body. not gutted at all with a 610 with c-6 heads, power glide trans, with a np 208 case on a 79 f-150 frame with a dana 44 in the front and a 9 inch in the back weights around 3900. I took a 78 f-150 frame and put a 93 f-150 cab with 1956 step side, c-6 trans, 205 case, 548 big block blue thunder heads, dana 44 front end and a 9 inch in the back, only trimmed the front fenders for tire clearence and it weighted in a 3680 with a 180 pound driver.

I have an 89 standard cab long bed ranger on a 78 shortbed F-150 frame and the wheels just about lined up perfect. The cab is gutted to the point of rediculous as is the front clip and bobbed bed. The front still has stock coil springs with drag shocks, mustang rack for steering and chromoly track bar. Out back is the ranger main leaf on spring sliders, QA1 coilovers and custom built by me chromoly ladder bars. The frame was lightened quite a bit to shave weight and all of the crossmember have been changed out to chromoly tube. Motor was basically a stock 460 with D3 heads and stealth intake, race built c6 and a gutted BW1356 t-case. Rears are full size D44 (chromo shafts) and 9" (spooled and chromo shafts). On 38.5x11 boggers on aluminum wheels the truck scaled at 3018 with me in it. Heres a few pics for reference:

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb146/skjett/Trucks/Ranger/IMG00027-20090312-1721.jpg
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb146/skjett/Trucks/FISKBOATBOG061.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb146/skjett/Trucks/Ranger/101_1898.jpg

Cut down front brake system (drops 42 lbs off the front of the truck!):

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb146/skjett/Trucks/Ranger/IMG00011-20090223-1638.jpg

Steering setup:

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb146/skjett/Trucks/Ranger/101_1928.jpg

And a quick vid in the hole on the stock motor (I pick up the new motor this weekend!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrrxOtdgKzY

I have or can get better pics of anything I did to lighten the truck up if you need or want it.

Sweet!! I have almost decided against the body swap, but the 42 off the front brakes sounds awesome. Could you explain more on what was done. Maybe a few more pics.:D

I bought some aluminum hubs and brake rotators with wildwood 2 pistons brakes from www.racinginthedirt.com I lost 75 pounds on the front in. It is a nice set up that the guy makes. He has them for just about any set up.

I bought some aluminum hubs and brake rotators with wildwood 2 pistons brakes from www.racinginthedirt.com (http://www.racinginthedirt.com) I lost 75 pounds on the front in. It is a nice set up that the guy makes. He has them for just about any set up.


I really want that kit but, its kinda pricey.

I think is was around 1250 for the kit.

I've got nowhere near that in mine. It's the stock front rotor with the rear section cut off and then turned flat to make the single rotor. Calipers are a set of Wilwood Dynalite 4 piston calipers and I made the brackets off the stock cut down bracket. I found out from my local speed shop that the calipers I use are the same calipers that you see on driveline setups on monster trucks, so it the ystop those big things, they should have no problem stopping my truck. I even use a ranger manual brake master cylinder. Since I foot brake the truck, it has no problem holding the truck to 3500 for my launch and will stop the truck very quick on the other side.

I did a write up with pics on another site. I'll PM you a link since I'm not too sure how the admins would feel if I posted a link in an open forum. Anyone else want a copy of the link, send me a PM.

Cut down front brake system (drops 42 lbs off the front of the truck!):


For some reason the song "Ive got friends in low places" comes to mind. :D


Bring that new motor on big boy! Its going to be sweet watching a street truck cut your a$$ :p

I never said the brakes were my idea. I appreciate all the help Johnny gave me, now for you, your still useless...