How much weight can you shave off of an A-Body...and still have it look/drive like an A-Body?

Does that explorer rear end have an aluminum center section ?
Unfortunately no. It is a bit of a Pig. I have to weigh it but it certainly isn't the lightweight choice. Someday I'd like to put in a full floating quick-change rear. but that isn't in the budget currently.
Also, these cars have a lot of front weight bias. I’d hold of on fiberglass trunk.

I'm down to 3209 lbs full interior. But lots of front weight.

My battery is in front. I even have that heavy A-body console in car. Cast iron calipers. My rear drums might weigh less than aluminum calipers and rotors.

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Yeah, good point about the weight balance. There are a lot of other things I can do in the front though, lightweight battery, Aluminum heads and brackets, obviously the hood and bumper. Have to balance lighter overall with F/R balance. I will be keeping a trim but livable interior. probably deleting the rear seats though. I do like the center consoles but could probably make a featherweight one with a similar feel. I really need to get a set of scales so I can work on the balance as well as the overall weight.