Mid seventies A body weight

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ir3333

ir3333

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How much heavier are the later A bodies like a '74 Duster compared to a '70?
 
Lots. A-bodies can really vary in weight, so don't trust the internet numbers. IF you have a '76 with A/C, power steering, power brakes, braced doors, and they come with shock bumpers, fold down rear seat, you can vary easily tip the scale around 3600 lbs with spare, jack, and a full tank of gas. This is without driver. Yep, about the same as a '68 B-body Satellite, or perhaps a tad heavier if the Satellite is a stripped down version. On the other hand, a '70 duster "no option" car might be somewhere in the 29xx lbs.
 
ir3333 said:
How much heavier are the later A bodies like a '74 Duster compared to a '70?
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depends on options. The 74 Dart Chassis Manual I have lists curb weights, dry, ranging from 2880 to 3620. in comparison, the chassis manual lists the 70 darts ranging from 2840 to 3286.
 
Too much speculation and false info on weights. Only way to tell is go to the
nearest scrap yard or truck stop. The weight is certified, and the weight is the
weight. My opinion is A bodies got heavier each year just like more modern cars
and women.
 
66jim said:
Too much speculation and false info on weights. Only way to tell is go to the
nearest scrap yard or truck stop. The weight is certified, and the weight is the
weight. My opinion is A bodies got heavier each year just like more modern cars
and women.
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maybe, but I'm pretty sure the factory service manuals are gonna be pretty dang close.
 
so....where did they gain weight?
bumpers? did they have some safety steel in the doors etc?
 
ir3333 said:
so....where did they gain weight?
bumpers? did they have some safety steel in the doors etc?
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bumpers, door bars etc. I know my 74 rear bumper weighed nearly 70 pounds WITHOUT the shock brackets, those added another 20-30. Mean while 70 dart bumper that I now have on the car weighs maybe 30-35 pounds WITH the 70 mounting brackets.
 
the A/C system is about 3800 pounds IIRC.lol. IDK but it's heavy.
I think the PS system is ~135pounds
My TTI duals from the collectors is 70plus pounds, with those fat Dynomaxers.
The big back window in my 68 Barracuda is also pretty heavy. The fold-down rear seat was 70#; it's gone for good.
But on the bright side, the bumpers with brackets are ~35 each. And I fit 325/50-15s inside the factory rear tubs on a slightly lowered car. Try that on your lightweight Scampy.
Early Dusters/Demons/ even 111wb Darts are lightest but the powerbulge Duster hoods look pretty fine.
My 70Swinger 340 4-speed scaled 3330, trackside, with me in it @140....with helmet,lol, back in 1971. With P/S, P/B, and a bench no less! That leaves the car at 3190. Those crap helmets hardly weighed anything in 1970........ makes you wonder sometimes.
 
I weighed two cars at the track. 68 dart with 383, bench seat. 3380 lbs. same car with 340 3320 lbs. 70 Cuda 383 with buckets and consol 3460 lbs. kim
 
I gutted my 73 duster doors and I was able to get 53 lb out of each one. That included the glass the girder all the mechanisms and the inner door skin partially cut out. I assume the plexiglass window I put back in was about 3 lb Maybe. I would say you could get a hundred pounds out of your doors quite easily and still have relatively good functional doors.
 
j par said:
I gutted my 73 duster doors and I was able to get 53 lb out of each one. That included the glass the girder all the mechanisms and the inner door skin partially cut out. I assume the plexiglass window I put back in was about 3 lb Maybe. I would say you could get a hundred pounds out of your doors quite easily and still have relatively good functional doors.
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How would this compare then to a 1970?
 
65 Valiant post sedan with a 170/6. 2570# shipping weight. Lightweight little buggers!
 
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