Competition Building a puller, what components to use?

[GMac]

I am probably going to be building a pulling truck for next season. I need some good informed answers on what to use. I have a 97 Dodge platform. The engine is a 12 valve. I really need to know about the transmission, axles, how big of a turbo, etc... . I know people are tight lipped about alot of the stuff, but you can give the basics please.

 

[RyanB]

What class are you trying to get into?



Here is a very basic list...



-Dana 80 rear/Detroit locker (wish I would have used one instead of my AAM 11. 5) if you want you could also upgrade the shafts.

-Dana 60 front, Try to get one without the CAD (2001-2002????) ARB locker

-Upgrade all the yokes and get custom 1480 rears built and 1410's

-Tcase (street truck???) if so a 241HD if you need a speedo, NP271 if not!!!

-5speed, have the fully splined shaft and the 1 3/8" main shaft put in.

-A good Dual Disk clutch meant for sled pulling



That is about it for drive train wise... as far as the engine goes, go nuts, ask around but what ever you do its not going to be cheap. Above was my own ideal drive line. . I jumped to the 6speed though and wish for pulling I would have kept 5 gears!!! oh well, live and learn!



RyanB

 

[jwilliams3]

Why dont you like your 11. 5"?

 

[GMac]

thanks for the info. I was planning on running pro stock 8000# class. This truck is going to be strictly for pulling. I was thinking along the same lines as you with the driveline. I just wasn't sure. I am getting sponsors to basically pay for the truck. I have 3 right now and need about 2 or 3 more. I am thinking it is going to cost me about 30k to 40k to build and that is doing all the work myself. Any other advice is appreciated. I am going to be a guinnea pig for a new crank that a friend of mine is making. If it all works out I will have enormous power! Just kinda think of the 5. 9 12 valve as a 6. 7 or 6. 8 12 valve!!!

 

[Tcolesanti]

You may want to think about rockwell axles if your class allows it.

 

[RyanB]

Why dont you like your 11. 5"?

Its not that I don't like it... actually its a great axle. Its just that currently I can't even get a locker for it. It is a GM unit and has a better posi than the Dodge 11. 5 but its still not the same as a locker. Also, currently if I break a shaft all I can put back in is a oem unit unless I want to spend big money and have them custom made!



Other then those two little things I really like the AAM.

 

[Tcolesanti]

It is a GM unit and has a better posi than the Dodge 11. 5

Do you mean the Dana 80???

 

[jwilliams3]

Ryan,

How many hooks on it?

 

[RyanB]

My axle in my truck is a GMC 11. 5 AAM. They are said to have a nicer posi than the Dodge AAM. I wish now I would have went with a Dodge Dana80 just because people like Haisleys make axle shafts for them and you can get a detroit for them also! I keep going on Detroits site and there is word of a locker for the AAM but no idea how long that will be!



Currently I have no hooks on the truck, there is only 2 pulls left up here and I think I am just going to road drive it for now and do the odd burn out and stuff! so far the truck is very strong and getting alot of compliments on it!



Here is a little vid of my brother and I having fun, to bad I ran out of room on my camera!



http://video.thedieselgarage.com/video/b06a65eb-636f-4013-b674-9840013fb6f5.htm



PS: like said above... check into the Rockwells but if you want to hook pretty much everywhere, stick with 1-ton or smaller axles... you will be safe that way!



Ryan

 

[jwilliams3]

Looks like a nice truck. Get rid of the lift.



Dont be scared. Just hook it.

 

[GMac]

i will prob go with a 80 with shafts and locker. I need to stay legal for all the county pulls and some pulls in indiana and some in PA. Do you need to box in the frame or anything. What about suspension? Feel free to throw out some stuff out. I can cut, fab and weld about anything.

 

[RyanB]

what lift???? Thats a Dodge 60 sitting under a 2wd frame! it sits 1" taller than my brothers 97 in that video and has a way better ride. Actually the front springs are GMC 1-ton 2" drop springs. Because of the axle/frame clearance I can't get it much lower. It sits perfectly level right now and the drive shaft angles are great! Im not scared to hook it! I just would rather have all the goodies on it for the first hook and money ran tight for some reason after I got married in June :--) :--)

 

[RyanB]

i will prob go with a 80 with shafts and locker. I need to stay legal for all the county pulls and some pulls in indiana and some in PA. Do you need to box in the frame or anything. What about suspension? Feel free to throw out some stuff out. I can cut, fab and weld about anything.

This post is going pretty good!



Yeah if its a dedicated truck I would consider boxing the frame! I would have when I built mine but was concerned about weight... still havn't had it on the scales yet... Im scared!



As far as your suspension goes, I am sure someone else will have a better idea on that and what all you can do!

 

[BigBadDodge]

My ARB locker works better then the Detroit did in the Dana 80



BBD

 

[STRALEY]

Gmac, Just buy my frame and body. It is all setup for the Pro Street class. I have been pulling that class for 2 yrs now. Dana 80 with 37 spline axles, Dana 60 with 35 spline axles and ARB, removable solid suspension, 5 spd, 33in Trxus All Terrains.



Straley

 

[GMac]

Straley, I saw you at Mt. Gilead. Why are you selling it? It seems to run strong. Let me know what you want for the body and frame.