Lightening Holes

[HotRodGMC68]

Has anyone on here used lightening holes on their frame/cross members, control arms, radiator support, anything and had any issues with strength? I'm a big fan of the late '60's gasser and super stock looks and have considered pullin the drill and hole saw set out. Any advice is appreciated!

[team39763]

You can cut plenty of weight off the core support. Just give it a good look over and you'll see what you can and can't cut. Pay attention to how things are mounted and see if you can relocate them. I relocated my overflow tank to the firewall and my battery to the bed.

[Marv D]

I'd advise against it,,, the stock pieces are overkill for sure, there designed to throw 1000 pounds in the back and drive over dirt roads at 60mph. AND have a safety margin of about 4x because we all know NO ONE would ever overload a pickup!! LOL. But drilling it full of holes isn't going to accomplish NEAR as much as replacing the part with a stronger, engineered, chromemoly fabricated piece. (i.e. tubular lower A arms instead of the massive stock piece drilled full of holes) . Cheaper than ordering the lightweight alternative like fiberglass hoods and bumpers??? sure,, but is your life really worth getting out there and finding out...

'DOH! shouldn't have cut quite that many holes in it

[vin63]

I'm with Marv...while it was done on a few cars in the '60s...some of the Super Stock cars (unfortunately covered by magazines), it was also proven to be dangerous (which interestingly didn't get covered by the magazines). In fact, the industry went 180 degrees the other way and built chassis with rigidity and strength to make launches and torque applied to the chassis during a run more predictable, which in turn made the cars faster (more power was being applied instead of absorbed by the chassis).

If you're after the look of that era, there are plenty of safer ways to achieve that (paint schemes, lettering, etc.). If you're looking to reduce weight, I would opt for fiberglass bumpers, hood, polycarbonate for glass parts, etc.

[dbmx66]

in my honest opinion, cut the core support up, maybe the bed floor, whatever you want, but i wouldnt touch (drill holes) in any chassis / suspension parts, unless your replacing it with with a lightweight after market part,

i agree with marv and vin, your life isnt worth the couple lbs youd be saving.

[fastwillie 696969]

im out of control