That rod does absolutely nothing, and can be eliminated.
There is actually one thing it does quite well - get in the way!
Not sure how much weight loss I'm going to get into with my Coronet. In fact, it may end up weighing more than it does now since there are some heavier-duty parts going in like a Dana and floor contoured frame connectors. So far the radio is out and not going back in but the climate controls are staying. Ditched the bench seat for factory buckets but that may be a wash for weight, OE buckets are heavy when fully dressed with headrests and the factory floor reinforcement plates. A floor shift column is slightly lighter than a column shift unit. Have a Borgeson steering box ready to go in, that will shed a few pounds up front. If I can't find a bulge hood for under a million dollars I'll get a 'glass one, that will cut a bunch. Putting in a console too. When I get around to finishing the new motor, it'll have aluminum heads so that's a a few lbs there.
No idea what it weighs now but it's a low option, bench seat hardtop with a 383 4bbl, column shifted 727 and an 8.75 so maybe 3,700lbs?
