Competition How well would a 1st gen work as a puller?

[BILLVO]

I am looking at getting a different rig to build up as a dedicated competition rig,rather than using my nice good 02 to beat on. I was wondering how 1st gens are to build up,I don't see a lot of them in the competition section,in either racing or pulling. How hard are they to build up to the hp tq levels as 2nd gens short of swapping in a newer engine. I do not want to spend a lot for a comp rig because of the amount that will go into it. I found an 89 reg cab that is very clean with a rebuilt auto for $4500,is this a reasonable choice?

 

[BILLVO]

here is a pic

 

[zstroken]

Anything is possible, the leaf fronts lend to some hop issues, the rear would need to be upgraded to an Dana 80, it is a shorter wheelbase truck. The longer wheelbase helps with hop. YOu could weld up the front carrier since it has lockouts on it. I have heard the lockouts aren't that stout though. Only really difference between it and the 2nd gen would be the front end. I mean you would need to probably P pump it, but it just depends on what level you want to take it too. I think Bgilbert is getting 450HP or so out of his first gen. If the price is right, go for it.

 

[Moose Truck]

I Don't pull, But having had a 1st Gen, I can point out a few observations.



A, Beef up the engine mounts!!! You can end up with a "Slant Six" If the stock engine mounts let go. There are pictures of that happening in the TDR.



B, On the plus side; You have a 205 Transfer case, A leaf spring Front end, and what I think a Stronger Frame.



C, If it's an '89 You should get an Intercooler. I've heard that a 1st Gen Powerstroke IC may fit the Dodge Upside down, A 1st Gen Dodge will fit.



D, You are going to need to do something about the 727 Trans. The TC stock is way too loose!! All rev No GO! Ask around here to find what the newest set up is. I'd run a Built R47H.



E, You are going to need Fuel. The VE Pump has some tweekage in it, But to get the Fueling up you may want to think P7100 Pump some day. The selection of Injectors is limited on a 1st Gen Head. The most common Hi Performance injector are the PODS. DPP makes some too, See : http://www.piersdiesel.com/DodgeInjectors.htm



F, The HC-1 turbo has to go. See: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71525

The DHRA Guys are running Turbos bigger than a Sled Puller 66



G, Just to keep things going straight, Get some Ladder bars for the rear end, and maybe for the front too.



OK, So I have been thinking about this for a while, Does it show? :-laf Best of Luck Hope to see it run a Full Pull at the DHRA Nats in Indy 2007 Moose00

 

[TJarecke]

Two 1st gens pull here. Both are p-pumped. One has a dana 80 and a big single. He consistantly won 1st at the pulls. The other one is for sale for 10K.

It takes some work but it definately can be done.

 

[Bloomy]

Send PSU-CE an email or PM. His permanent puller is a 1st gen.



Thomas

 

[Nate]

I saw a 1st gen trying to pull a sled once this year. Was a real sharp truck, painted like an American flag, little stack coming out the hood, etc. Sounded mean, and I thought I would see a good hook.



Nope... couldn't even pull the sled off the starting line. It would just stall the convertor from what it looked like and stall the engine.

 

[bgilbert]

Price is mainly the reason guys start with a newer truck. 2nd gen already has p-pump, nv4500, D80 etc etc. All of which you're gonna be upgrading to in your 1st gen puller. $4500 seems decent for that truck. Look to spend alot more than that if you want to build a puller.

 

[jwilliams3]

I wouldnt mess with a 1st gen as a sledpuller. You have to change so much to get them going as "competitive" puller you might as well buy a 2nd gen or 3rd gen to pull with.

 

[jabird]

I have been looking for a first gen. myself. I would ASSUME the issues for the 60 in the front could be overcome, only because there are a ton of gassers out there pulling an older setup such as this. I also realize dieseles put down a ton more torque, It really just comes down to what class you are running in... ... I. E. money spent to be competative. For me its kinda like sitting in the stands at saturday night drag race... ... ... ... "OHHHHH look at that, a tubbed out 68 camaro running 10. 50..... Boy, you dont see that everyday. " I think the p7100 issue would be the easiest issue to overcome, the 60 and the transfercase would be the pain.

 

[PSU-CE]

You say you don't want to spend alot for the rig because of the dough that will need to build it up, so at least I assume you know you are going to spend some money. Having a 1st gen puller I can say that there are items mentioned above that will need addressed. First off being an '89 auto, does it have 3. 07 gears? If so, they are not the best to be pulling with since new a new ring and pinion is hard to come by in 3. 07. Since the truck has a Dana 70 rear you will want to upgrade to an 80 anyhow and then swap out the gears in the front to something more to your setup (and $ell the 70). A Dana 60 front with lock in hubs is very stout, I wouldn't worry about it at this point. The leaf spring trucks don't bounce more than the coil spring trucks, and I would leave the stock springs as-is (build stops for the rear). It is easier to build weight brackets for the front since the 1st gens actually have frame out there unlike the second gens. :-laf I'm a 5-speed guy so I don't know what to tell you on the auto. As far as the engine, depending on what class(s) you want to pull should guide you as to what horsepower level you want to build for. If you plan on going big time, swap in the p-pump or just buy a complete p-pump engine out of a wreck, and your ve engine.



I would do it! If not, then where is this truck for $4500? Oo. The main reason I built a 1st gen - cuz everybody and their brother has a second gen!



Dave

 

[therabbittree]

mummn for me it was 205 transfer case better looks . real wheel bearings king pins instead of ball joints and easier to work on the engine . you can lift the head right out of the first gen and no issues . . second gen is shoved under the windshield cowl. . sucks to get in there my valve spring compressor wouldn't fit either . . ha had a second gen and i sold it for those reasons. . I plan on nv4500 my truck I'm p pumping it... i am doing 307 axles for now . . should run sweet. for more strength i would swap in a dynatrac kingpin later model brake dana 80 front and get a f550 rear and reratio it.

But that is way down the line when i figure out where to get the $ for it ha

Later

Deo

 

[PSU-CE]

you can lift the head right out of the first gen and no issues

This is also very nice if you're at the pull and need to adjust or work on anything. I can pull the head off the '91 easier, ok maybe not easier but definitely with less swearing, than I can set the valves in my '97.

 

[therabbittree]

Believe me I was ****** when i did my valves on my '96 argh so much so that I didn't even attempt to swap the valves springs and I sold the sucker. . I love the 1st gen sit in the engine bay and work on the truck... . PSU-CE what springs are in your truck?. . Mine is stock W350 SRW. . your setup is very similar to the set up I want to build. although for now I will be using the dana 70 rear because I want to have the 3. 07 gears and I only pull about 3 times a year . the truck will get a dumping flatbed and have a goose neck under the bed . . plus I snowplow with it. . so its more working truck . . gonna get my p pump swapped in and look for a 4500 to swap into it as I am sure the getrag isn't gonna like the p pump. . any how yours looks good

Thanks



Deo

 

[jwilliams3]

Well I guess if you just want a truck to pull for "fun" than the 1st gen should be alright.

The Dana 70 doesnt like truck pulling with a 5. 9 in front of it.

 

[PSU-CE]

therabbittree, I'm not sure which springs you're talking about but my front leaf springs are stock. I've tried different combos in the front, but the stock springs worked the best. The rear leaf springs were custom made at a local spring shop. They're one of the stiffest 2 1/2" wide springs I could get, on custom lift blocks (customized to adapt from the 3" wide spring perch of the 80 to the 2 1/2" wide spring of the 1st gen). I also upgraded to 5/8" u-bolts. Even if you stay with the factory springs in the rear, build a set of stops for them.



Thanks for the compliment

Dave



On of my favorite pics from this year!

 

[Timebomb]

I P-pump my 93 about 5 years ago. Made crazy power with all the mods and the 500cc p-pump. I have since sold it but have a good friend that pulls an x-cab 92 all the time. He has 95 engine,nv4500, eep clutch,80 rear,Hd transfer case, Truck dose very well. Id say you will have allot of cash tied up in a puller ether way but you will have about 3k-4k from the start on a first gen just to get the HD parts trans,rear,ext.

 

[Signal73]

therabbittree, I'm not sure which springs you're talking about but my front leaf springs are stock. I've tried different combos in the front, but the stock springs worked the best. The rear leaf springs were custom made at a local spring shop. They're one of the stiffest 2 1/2" wide springs I could get, on custom lift blocks (customized to adapt from the 3" wide spring perch of the 80 to the 2 1/2" wide spring of the 1st gen). I also upgraded to 5/8" u-bolts. Even if you stay with the factory springs in the rear, build a set of stops for them.



Thanks for the compliment

Dave



On of my favorite pics from this year!

Smoooookin! Oo.

 

[RacinDuallie]

1st Gen's that pour on the coals are totally Bad arse!


I say DO IT!!!