Does weight matter?

[Halstem1]

I just want to know what everyone thinks about weight...

Does it matter? Heavy jeep vs a light jeep? Heavy upgrades compared to keeping things lighter.

I've always thought this mattered but someone at a local jeep club wanted to express his opinion that it didn't matter and I'm dumb for worrying about it. I could be totally wrong. I'm building this jeep up more than anything prior, so I don't know. I don't want to build a 3 ton tank that sucks to drive and its too heavy to function.

Maybe that's where re-gearing fixes everything???

I've been trying not to "over-build" since its my daily driver and has great on road manners. Not to mention, I get to actually go off-road about 4 times a year because of where I live. But if I'm worry too much about 10# here and 30# there, then I might do a couple things different. Things just start adding up when you have upgrading steering, control arms X 8, beadlocks X 5, MT tires X 5, skids everywhere, drive shafts X 2...

Any input is appreciated. sorry if a dumb question. Not the first time I worried about something that is a non-issue.

Thanks, Mike

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[OffroadArsenal]

I too wonder about this.

I wouldn’t think it would affect rock crawling as the engine will pull you over any obstacle regardless of weight. It would just be more work for the engine. The only other thing is on road maneuverability. Obviously more weight will diminish this. I’m no expert so I could be totally wrong.

 

[BCalvin]

Weight matters big time.

Notice the handling and feel of your vehicle with a low tank of gas vs. full is about 100 pounds.

 

[InvertedLogic]

I can't think of when weight would be a good thing, but maybe just a necessity when beefing things up (like control arms). I bet the real answer is something like "as light as possible, as heavy as necessary".

 

[SecondTJ]

Look on the driver door jam sticker for your GVWR.

Stay under that number and weigh in on a CAT scale if your worried.

This is assuming you don’t tow. Adding tongue weight will change things.

 

[Jamrock]

I would expect better gas mileage from a lighter vehicle.

There will always be a trade off between configuring a Jeep for offroading versus street use. It might be as simple as your choice of tires.

You just have to find the balance that works for you.

 

[Halstem1]

Look on the driver door jam sticker for your GVWR.

Stay under that number and weigh in on a CAT scale if your worried.

This is assuming you don’t tow. Adding tongue weight will change things.

I know what you're saying but I'm actually not sure I agree with that. And I'm not worried about safety of vehicle weight. I'm more talking road manners and capability.

GVWR is based on the physical limiations of the vehicle components. If you replace those components with heavier more capable ones, you start skewing what that number is meant for. The stamped GVWR barely allows 4 adult dudes to ride in it. But if you install a set of dana 80/60's and add 1000#, should that reduce your load capacity or change your GVWR... I don't know. I'm not an engineer.

But get what you're saying. Just think that is a different topic... maybe.

Towing is a whole different conversation for sure. GVWR + your max tow capacity does not equal your CVWR (combined vehicle weight rating). Most people don't know that.

 

[Halstem1]

I would expect better gas mileage from a lighter vehicle.

For sure. agreed.

 

[BrntWS6]

Weight will affect everything. How it handles, acceleration, mileage. Lighter is better on and off road.

 

[BCalvin]

Even ride height, put 100 pounds in the trunk and measure the changes in ground clearance.

 

[Hayseed_JLUR]

Heavier weight makes a lot of components work harder (also less performance). Handling is affected considerably. Braking on the road is hurt by weight. MPG is hurt by weight. Even recovery can be hurt by weight.

Maybe your buddy's intent was to not obsess over the weight - but it most definitely matters.

 

[Halstem1]

Heavier weight makes a lot of components work harder (also less performance). Handling is affected considerably. Braking on the road is hurt by weight. MPG is hurt by weight. Even recovery can be hurt by weight.

Maybe your buddy's intent was to not obsess over the weight - but it most definitely matters.

Maybe, you might be right. I don't know him well enough to know if he was being a dick or like you said just saying don't worry about it.

 

[entropy]

I know what you're saying but I'm actually not sure I agree with that. And I'm not worried about safety of vehicle weight. I'm more talking road manners and capability.

GVWR is based on the physical limiations of the vehicle components. If you replace those components with heavier more capable ones, you start skewing what that number is meant for. The stamped GVWR barely allows 4 adult dudes to ride in it. But if you install a set of dana 80/60's and add 1000#, should that reduce your load capacity or change your GVWR... I don't know. I'm not an engineer.

But get what you're saying. Just think that is a different topic... maybe.

Towing is a whole different conversation for sure. GVWR + your max tow capacity does not equal your CVWR (combined vehicle weight rating). Most people don't know that.

Yeah the GVWR in the Wrangler is an absolute joke. I remember I used to have a 2013 Corolla that had a higher GVWR than my wrangler. Getting to 1/2 of the GVWR in my corolla already affected the handling, and going 3/4 GVWR made it so I couldn't even drive it.... with the Jeep, as you say it only takes 4 adults.... I've gone over it and didn't even feel a difference, it is a massive joke played on us by FCA just like the towing ratings.

With that said, the sport does come with very small brakes. If you add a lot of wrangler, I would consider upgrading brakes.

The biggest issue with GVWR is that if you get into an accident, or if your vehicle gets weighted and exceeds GVWR, you'll get in trouble. Who ever gets weighted though?

 

[McCoys]

Its matters on the overall dynamics of the vehicle. I don't want to repeat what everyone else has said above but the most noticeable change is that you require more pressure to brake and turning stability.

I have about 750lbs of load over stock with no passengers on any given day and its absolutely night and day between stock. I felt nimble on stock, now I actually feel like a truck.

 

[Halstem1]

Its matters on the overall dynamics of the vehicle. I don't want to repeat what everyone else has said above but the most noticeable change is that you require more pressure to brake and turning stability.

I have about 750lbs of load over stock with no passengers on any given day and its absolutely night and day between stock. I felt nimble on stock, now I actually feel like a truck.

couple questions... is there any one thing that you think was more impactful than another? for example, was adding 20# per wheel significantly more noticeable than 100# of skid plates? Also, is there any item you would re-do or select differently now?

Thanks for the feedback!

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