Competition Can you pull with an automatic??

[gwizpro]

Hi guys,



I am really really new to this and have been reading all the posts about pullin. I would love to try this, but ------



Can you pull with an automatic???



Thanks all.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Can you pull? Yes, several do.



Can you pull and be competitive? That is the question.



Later, Rob

 

[TomGolden]

Three of the hottest pullers in California all use autos. Csutton (Chris Sutton) from San Francisco, My 6 Eats V8's (Adam Sprague) from the Napa/Santa Rosa area switched from several 5 speeds to an auto a couple years ago, and Bryan Kinney (Ford guy from Diesel-Central site) also switched from a manual to an auto last year. All three have been known to yank the sled down range a good distance from time to time



But the manual trucks still kick the most butt



Tom

 

[98rammer]

of course, you get the manuals against the autos on the drag strip and that's a different story. i wouldn't dare, but would a stock auto hold up to simply 1 pull?

 

[Briar Hopper]

One of the trucks in the "Haisley family"(Van Haisley, Haisley Machine of Fairmount, IN) is a white Dodge 3500 4x4. It has an automatic. To the best of my knowledge, it's equipped with ProTorque components, and a valve body custom-built by Van himself. I've seen it make some impressive pulls this summer.

 

[csutton7]

nice dig there Tom on the manuals --



you never know if a transmission will hold up stock or modified, but if you use 4lo and keep it in Drive with the overdrive off, I think you'll be fine, but there's always the chance it won't handle it--it's your call, anyway it's just money to fix it and it sure is fun to pull--chris

 

[98rammer]

must be me Tom P. ? or the mister Meeks...



(yes, my initials ar T. P. )



why use money to fix my stock auto when i could buy an aftermarket auto and probably make it through a run. i'm sure now, in 4lo, i'd make it a good 15 feet maybe?

 

[98rammer]

ah, now i see the other one.

 

[dseabaugh]

So what is the difference between pulling and loading your truck down with extra fuel and tools till it weighs ove 9,000 lbs. , putting a 7,800 lb. gooseneck behind it and then putting 11 to 15,000 lbs. on the trailer other than one is a short pull and the other some of us do on a regular basis and run hundreds of miles at 70 mph????? Other than you don't have a trailer tire come apart when pulling like I did Monday and have it fly up and hit your tailgate scratching the paint. or like the last time I pulled with my old truck the thing torqued up enough(stood on the driveshaft) that it lifted the left front wheel a foot off the ground all the way down. It was a good thing I had welded the spiders together in the front end I do like the easy(ier) engagement of the automatic. and for the most part mine is stock. I've Only smoked one transmission on the dyno

 

[Briar Hopper]

And oh, yeah, lets not forget CMMNNTSTRKN and his BD-equipped truck, Jim came to Indiana twice(long drive!) this summer for some impressive pulls.

Bill K. is not shy about pulling with Stefan's DTT-built truck, and had a great pull at Muncie this summer, while Stefan took the truck down the 1/4 mile the next day. THEN... they drove it home to British Columbia...

The autos are nice for pulling. Like csutton7 sez though, bring lotsa $$$, something's gonna break, whether it's auto or manual.

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Originally posted by TomGolden



But the manual trucks still kick the most butt



Tom [/B]

Oo. Oo.

 

[TomGolden]

Originally posted by csutton7

nice dig there Tom on the manuals --

:-laf :-laf Sorry Chris, just couldn't help myself. Notice that I still haven't worked up the nerve to play with you big boys yet though.....



Heck, if I had to drive my truck in San Francisco everyday, I might even think about an auto (for a few minutes )



Tom

 

[Brandon]

hmm maybe an auto in my future?

 

[gwizpro]

Wow, didn't realize that there was so much competition between pullers. . Manual & Auto ////This is great... .



By the way,, are there any pulls in the very near future in California or nevada. I am here until the end of September.



Thanks

The RackMan

 

[Brandon]

sept 21 here at hughson 3pm start noon reg