Does anyone here have experience sled pulling with trucks?

[694spdRT]

My brother in law and I want to build up my old '77 Dodge 3/4 ton 4 x 4 to pull in the street class at local fairs etc. for fun.

I built the truck up to better than one ton specs for snowplowing and don't have a use for it in that way anymore. It has 4.10 Dana's front and rear, reinforced frame, one ton springs, 400 4bbl and an automatic. My plan is to put in a built 440 but I am not sure whether to keep the automatic or switch to a 4 speed. The key seems to be good ground speed to complete with the newer diesel's. I worry that the stick shift will limit my gear selection going down the track. I need to keep the truck less than 6000lbs empty to compete in 2 classes by adding weight. The "heavy" class will be the tough one with all the Duramaxes and cummins diesel's.

Anyone ever pull and what gearing did you use? I assume the transfer case must be in 4 low.

[Blown70]

Ahhh, I good friend of mine has set up some 2wd pullers with supercharged engines.

A lot of them are running a 6.00 gear area.  Not sure if a 4:10 is right.

Tom

[694spdRT]

A neighbor used to pull 2wd super stock and it was more of a combined gear ratio between the tranny, rear, and tire size that was important. He used a 4.30 gear for a while with some kind of Ford 2 ton tranny.

The gear reduction with the transfer case will be 8.20 not including whatever tranny I use. My thought was the automatic would allow an upshift to second and then back down to 1st where the stick would just be pick a gear good or bad. It is a little difficult to powershift with 30,000 lbs dragging behind you. 

[Todd Wilson]

You are starting out with a good setup! Go with the 440 and keep the 4.10's for now. Ground speed is usually key to doing well. Get the sled started moving as fast as you can because the weight will transfer as soon as you start moving. I would use the 727.  It takes torque to pull but HP to go fast. Without momentum you wont go far.

Biggest thing will probably be traction and being able to read the ground and adjust tire pressure accordingly. Experience and luck will probably help there.  As for weight transfer everyone says the diesels are heavier and make the noses heavy on the newer trucks.   I have found the noses are heavy on newer trucks even without the diesels. Comparing what I have experienced pulling a tractor around on a trailer in sand and dirt/mud conditions  my old 74 Dodge seems to have better weight transfer to the ground and doesnt slip and slide like my new ram does. Once again you are starting out with a good truck!  GO have some fun!



Todd

[Blown70]

If you go to www.rrvpa.com  look under the link pullers  GITTY UP GO, and ROARING 28 are the two trucks I know of and Know the guy who built them  MEANING built everything,  Frame, motors etc.

I can always ask him some info.

It sounds like you have good gear reduction, HOWEVER, my opinion here.  DO NOT SHIFT or attempt to do so.  I have not see good results with this.

I also agree with TODD ground speed, once you get rolling, roll into the throttle and get going.  You will not make up ground on the other end.

HAVE FUN!!!

Tom