Competition Gear to pull in??

[firemanmarc]

I will be pulling (stock) 8000lb. class on sunday and wonder what gear is best to pull in??? I used to always pull in 2nd low wtih my Powerchoke but this Cummins in my '97 has some more power than that Ford did... any suggestions will be helpful. Marc

 

[jtisdale]

Is it still an auto or is it a stick. Its kinda hard to tell by your sig...

 

[firemanmarc]

Sorry about that. Manual, 370injectors, #10 plate, 4" exhaust, BHAF, about 35lbs. of boost working it...

 

[sewman]

Try 3rd gear in low range

Bob

 

[Cumminsman]

3rd would be your best bet. if it is a stock type clutch be careful not to ride it to much or you'll just slip it.

 

[dougs455]

Try 3rd gear in low range

Bob

What kind of mph should he/I look for? Was curious about "low gear". 3rd in low ... wouldn't that be close to first in high? I too need advice on what gear to pull in. thanks-doug

#ad

 

[DieselTweaker]

Look at that talk about starting young that kid is going places,,,,might want to get him signed up now.

 

[sewman]

I don't know the mph,I'm to busy hangin on & watching the track!!YAH. . HOO!!!!!but 1st high is faster & will be harder on your clutch.

alot of this depends on the track, I pulled on a soft track @ the end of the day that tractors were pulling on they didn't water it all day I thought speed would help & pulled in low 4th my son said he couldn't even see the truck for the dustbowl that I made & got beat by a ferd 7. 3 w/a auto that keep it in 2nd & had 235 tires vs my 35"

so if it's a biting track & you have enough power & clutch 3rd should work

have fun,

Bob

 

[dougs455]

He sure has a serious look on his face... . good parents. Seriously, I too need advice on gearing.



My truck:

'99 Quad cab 3500 sport 4x4 dually,naked- 3. 55's-5 speed-South Bend MU 13-1. 25 Con FE-BHAF-PM3 w/remote-BD2 injectors-TTPM-4"downpipe-5" to tail-no muffler(working on stacks)-no silencer-red valve cover-Amsoil-Holly black pump w/wildcat max flow-Stock 35 turbo w/36psi elbow(not barking yet)-gauges(oil,water,fuel,pyro,boost)



Any ideas? I read 3rd in low gear... . as an amature I would think thats too slow. I was thinking 2nd or 3rd high but not sure. Please help and explain why low (slow) gear.



Also I see it's an 8000lbs. class. Do guys add weight to the truck to be closer to the max weight?



Sorry for the newbie questions but I have alot invested in my truck and am very proud of it like everyone else and dont want to go home on a trailer after a 27 foot pull.

 

[sewman]

When we go to the pulls & the fars I think we like watching the kids pull more than the trucks. . the looks of determination on their faces is something to see.



I see your truck is a dually do they have a class f/duallies? alot of places don't & you might have to t/o a couple of tires.

It won't hurt to add weight & get it as close to 8,000lbs as you can.

if you think 3rd low is too slow you can always try 4th low & try to shut it down b4 75',they will unhook you backup & rehook & you can drop it in 3rd

trust unless it's a real loose track you really have to rev her up to get it rolling.

Them sleds are heavy,this is your first pull,don't expect to win the 1st time out. there's always more pulls,as you'll find out different tires & power work better & worse on different tracks.

I also used to pull tractors. . same thing

on tires normally a mud tire is better.

 

[Sled Puller]

Thats a picture of the Sledpulling 101 class EEP is putting on for csevers! :-laf



Truthfully, even mild hp upgrades will make any single disc clutch junk in a hurry if you launch like you want to win.



3rd low with 285 all terrains, made short work of my two single discs back in the day. It takes a dual disc to have fun.



4th low is out of the question, 2 high is on the weak side of the transfer, and when 2 lets go in the transmission, it causes about $600 of damage.

1st high is slower than 3rd low, and helps the clutch live, but stock Fords will blow you away, lol.



With those gears, and a single disc, 3rd low is really your only choice, and yes, it is too slow to win most places.

If the track is good clay, I wouldn't worry too much about being at 8000 pounds, 75-7600 is plenty.