Jeep Cargo Weight

[Deleted member 48574]

Im afraid it's the never ending story--addiction

Good luck

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

Thats a sweet rig, Jimbo! Do you have a link to better describe how your cargo area is laid out? I like what appears to be the drawer system you have set up there.

The one thing I forgot to do when I purchased the new Jeep was to have it weighted before doing any modifications. This would have given me a good base level to start with. So I go off of Gross Vehicle Weight data. This information is on a sticker affixed to the driver side door jamb. I just checked mine and it is 5700 pounds. Gross Vehicle Weight is the combined total for everything put in or on the Jeep. The trailer adds weight but not the total weight simple the tongue weight of the trailer.

That helps a lot! Very good point, to weigh the jeep before doing mods to it. I will hit up my local MOT scale hopefully this weekend, and at least that will give me a sense of how much overall weight to aim for. If I end up trimming it down in some areas -- say, go with a soft top, or take out the carpet, etc. that will change the current GVW but won't give me a fully accurate measure of how many pounds I've added/lost (Same goes as I add stuff).

I'd be comfortable being a few hundred pounds over current GVW in mods all the time, I think, since most of the time it's just me, the Wife, and the dog -- The two or three trips a year with extra friends, we can tough out.

 

[Omar Brannstrom]

Hi

How about some alu bumper, like Rugged Ridge Aluminum XHD Bumpers. Lighter than stock Bumper in smallest configuration.?

They claim

"Weight Savings:
• Aluminum XHD Bumper (Standard Configuration*): 26.9 lbs.
• OE Plastic Bumper: 35.7 lbs.
• Average Steel Off Road Bumper: 110+ lbs."

 

[Deleted member 48574]

Omar,

I looked at those but my issue with them is I'm more interested in protection vs approach angles. If they made end caps that made it a full width, I'd consider it far more seriously. But for others who prefer the enhanced approach angle, that's a great option!

Regards
Craig

 

[Chi-Town]

Smittybilt offers something like this but not as light but a bit stronger.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Thanx Craig, I've had mine weighed at the "Certified Cat" scale truck stop and It was 5150lbs -NO LOAD-but 3-1/2 years of mods-

Thats a sweet rig, Jimbo! Do you have a link to better describe how your cargo area is laid out? I like what appears to be the drawer system you have set up there.



That helps a lot! Very good point, to weigh the jeep before doing mods to it. I will hit up my local MOT scale hopefully this weekend, and at least that will give me a sense of how much overall weight to aim for. If I end up trimming it down in some areas -- say, go with a soft top, or take out the carpet, etc. that will change the current GVW but won't give me a fully accurate measure of how many pounds I've added/lost (Same goes as I add stuff).

I'd be comfortable being a few hundred pounds over current GVW in mods all the time, I think, since most of the time it's just me, the Wife, and the dog -- The two or three trips a year with extra friends, we can tough out.

Now I've added over 100lbs with my cargo deck and various recovery equip. that always stays on board--ie: HiLift/mobile winch/tool box/elec jack/mobile air compressor/ 500ft between ropes/snatch straps/towing straps/D-Rings/chain/ and "stuff", so the jeep now is at 5300lbs, without "us" init--

The main reason the little 3.8L/auto doesn't suffer atall, is the 5.38 gears and elockers in the diffs-

I don't do writeups, but here are some pics of the cargo platform, measured to fit with rear seats down and minus headrests-

1/2" plywood cut and attaching LOWES grey indoor/outdoor carpet

Installed/secured/w 6" turnbuckles and supported/ sched 40 pipe/caps and install length 8"-attached only to the platform and 8" is the easy remove/install/ clear tailgate latch and the platform is "unmoving" because of the turnbuckles and surrounding _walls_-

No drawers, but the hatchs are attached by powder coated 6" hinges-the hatchs have to be cut 1/2" smaller than the platform opening, so the carpet closes any gaps-

The cargo platform secure "loops" are Harbor Freight and doubled for the (4) turnbuckles attachment, using the existing jeep cargo "loops" for the bottom conn.

Raingler nets can be employed in mult-configuratios and there are 8ea, support 8" pipe stantions, so it'll support our sleeping during emergency/predator presence-

This emergency situation has occured twice in the past 3 years and before this platform installation-

We've slept in the jeep by scrambling from the "Hatch Tent" to the jeep and "Locking up" for safety--

Good luck

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Deleted member 48574]

Jimbo,

That's a great idea. I've seen people build full cabinets back there, but again, that's just more weight. Using a single piece of plywood as a lid, and elevating it with pipe and the turnbuckles saves a ton of that weight right off the bat. Looks like a very functional, handy way to organize gear!!

Sounds like a pair of interesting stories for having to resort to emergency situations - I figure it was weather or critters (4 or 2 legged, hard to know!)

Thanks for posting all those pics, I may use something like that in my own build as I develop it!

Regards
Craig

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Heh Heh, thanx Craig-

Jimbo,

That's a great idea. I've seen people build full cabinets back there, but again, that's just more weight. Using a single piece of plywood as a lid, and elevating it with pipe and the turnbuckles saves a ton of that weight right off the bat. Looks like a very functional, handy way to organize gear!!

Sounds like a pair of interesting stories for having to resort to emergency situations - I figure it was weather or critters (4 or 2 legged, hard to know!)

Thanks for posting all those pics, I may use something like that in my own build as I develop it!

Regards
Craig

It was momma Black bears and cubs-I always had my trusty slingshot ready snorkel

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[onetraveller]

Craig,
A way to save weight is to skip the new front bumper and just mount the winch directly. There are a couple of different manufacturers that sell mounting plates for the stock bumper.

Mike

 

[Deleted member 48574]

Good idea, Mike -- However my overlanding is more restricted to forestry/dirt roads as opposed to trails. As such, I'm more likely to hit an animal then to need a winch (though a winch will eventually be handy as it does increase the level of risk I'd be willing to take) so my main priority is weight-for-protection.

Regards
Craig

 

[Dark Stranger]

Have you considered lightening the load in other ways? A friend of mine had a similar issue with his Jeep and I know he did a few things to offset the added weight he began carrying; including switching to aluminum wheels.

http://www.4wd.com/Jeep-Wheels-Jeep-Wheel-Accessories/Wheels.aspx?t_c=11&t_s=535&t_pt=101508

 

[Deleted member 48574]

Dark Stranger,

Aluminum wheels never occurred to me -- bumpers yes but not wheels! Good idea.

Too bad Gobi doesn't make the Stealth out of aluminum as that would shave some pounds too.

Actually scratch that last idea -- I might have a kid someday and he or she MIGHT want to go to college, so that means a Gobi rack of Aluminum is out

Regards
Craig

 

[pilosopo]

Dark Stranger,

Aluminum wheels never occurred to me -- bumpers yes but not wheels! Good idea.

Too bad Gobi doesn't make the Stealth out of aluminum as that would shave some pounds too.

Actually scratch that last idea -- I might have a kid someday and he or she MIGHT want to go to college, so that means a Gobi rack of Aluminum is out

Regards
Craig

Aluminum wheel lighten your curb weight, but as they are unsprung mass they do not affect your Jeeps ability to carry weight. It's only sprung mass that affects your suspension geometry and springs. i.e. bumpers, rack, gear, etc. The wheels are just resting on the ground.

Compare the weight ratings of the Sport model Jeeps v Rubicons. They can carry more in theory than Rubicons by the numbers since their wheels, tire, axles, etc. are lighter. Cargo capacity being determined by the weight of the Jeep as is being deducted from the maximum curb weight. Their lighter spring rates though, aren't up to the task of actually carrying weight.

Hence my response earlier that I put little stock in the maximum weight doing harm to components as there are too many variables determining those values, and standard engineering principals would include a buffer of some sort.

And If you want an aluminum rack, go for a Front Runner rack

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Don't forget--there is no such thing as "Rubicon Springs" all the models ie: Rubi/Sahara/ Sport are supplied with a set of coils with "UNKNOWN" SPRING RATES-

Some Saharas and some Sports have stronger/stiffer coils than Rubi's of the same year and towing pkg has nothing to do withit--

The strongest/longest springs available thru MOPAR have part No.s ending in 19 (front) and 60 (rear)--these can't be ordered and won't be supplied during assembly time--best to look at your jeeps springs and determine if the No.s I mentioned are there-

My Rubi was supplied with 14 and 16 front and 56 and 59 rear, I think there are Arab used camel salesmen, working for MOPAR and they pick which springs go in each model at the assembly start, during their Opium breaks !

Smokemifyougotem

:costumed-smiley-007 JIMBO

 

[pilosopo]

:sombrero: Don't forget--there is no such thing as "Rubicon Springs" all the models ie: Rubi/Sahara/ Sport are supplied with a set of coils with "UNKNOWN" SPRING RATES-

Some Saharas and some Sports have stronger/stiffer coils than Rubi's of the same year and towing pkg has nothing to do withit--

The strongest/longest springs available thru MOPAR have part No.s ending in 19 (front) and 60 (rear)--these can't be ordered and won't be supplied during assembly time--best to look at your jeeps springs and determine if the No.s I mentioned are there-

My Rubi was supplied with 14 and 16 front and 56 and 59 rear, I think there are Arab used camel salesmen, working for MOPAR and they pick which springs go in each model at the assembly start, during their Opium breaks !

Smokemifyougotem

:costumed-smiley-007 JIMBO

That is true, but NOW Rubicon models are typically delivered with the higher rate springs from the factory as they are often sitting on most dealer lots fully optioned. They usually have the max tow package or example.

I understand in the early days of the JK it was a crapshoot, but it's more consistent now.

I had the highest numbers from the factory (not the 60s, etc).

Also, having purchased a set of 60 rear springs a stopgap, there's little difference in height, but a noticeable difference in effective spring rate.

 

[Deleted member 48574]

Aluminum wheel lighten your curb weight, but as they are unsprung mass they do not affect your Jeeps ability to carry weight. It's only sprung mass that affects your suspension geometry and springs. i.e. bumpers, rack, gear, etc. The wheels are just resting on the ground.

Compare the weight ratings of the Sport model Jeeps v Rubicons. They can carry more in theory than Rubicons by the numbers since their wheels, tire, axles, etc. are lighter. Cargo capacity being determined by the weight of the Jeep as is being deducted from the maximum curb weight. Their lighter spring rates though, aren't up to the task of actually carrying weight.

Hence my response earlier that I put little stock in the maximum weight doing harm to components as there are too many variables determining those values, and standard engineering principals would include a buffer of some sort.

And If you want an aluminum rack, go for a Front Runner rack

Good point, Pol. Aluminum wheels might help fuel economy but still the weight issue doesn't change for cargo. And the way you've explained it gives me a great deal more faith in the stock components, that does make sense.