Off Roading Is This Possible??

[XcumminsX]

ok guys here is the thing. I want a truck that has a good look in my eyes (about a 6 inch lift kit). Thing is. . i am also going to run this truck at the track. my goal is to run 13 second 1/4 miles. With a 6 inch lift how much power will not be put to the ground? is there any suspension lift that will support getting the maximum power to the ground. im confused

 

[y-knot]

You have several things that will be working against your stated goals. First the goal speed you want to run is attainable, though it is pretty fast for a diesel truck. Problem #1. the large tires have alot of weight, this un-sprung weight has several problems associated with it. The large mass makes for some pretty slow starts, they just take alot to get rolling. The large mass once rolling take even more to slow down, need great brakes. Also the large tires have big sidewalls that don't behave very well at high speed. And do real bad at high speed with corrective measures, so they do not handle well, not good when you are going thru the traps, and something happens. Problem#2. The truck with that high of a center of gravity does not handle high speed maneuvers very well. It would be a hand full, if you get out of shape (thinks do happen, and at the worst time). Also by being lifted you are making an already aero challenged truck, even worse. And remember most tracks has inspections, so be prepared, it would be a good ideal to talk with them first, and see what they would require of you.

Don't get me wrong, I love drag racing. I have had several cars and would love to build another. But it is much cheaper to get these issues ironed out before any changes are made. Good luck.

 

[XcumminsX]

ok, i see how the bigger tires. lift, center of gravity issues will come into play, and thinking of things that can happen are scary...



what if i just get a 2" leveling kit in front. i will keep my 315/70/17 tires. Is there a kind of suspension i can put on my truck to somehow get the MOST possible POWER to the GROUND? these trucks looks beefy (3rd gens) it looks good with 2 " leveling and thats all.



my thing is that if i was just going to lift the truck and not care about speed i should have kept my old ford that was jacked 12 inches. this time i want speed and a 4x4 look.



thank you. I am happy you replied to this thread i see you posts alot and i know your a smart guy and i trust what you say.

 

[bighammer]

Air suspension. Low down for the track and pumped up for the deep stuff.

 

[XcumminsX]

Originally posted by bighammer

Air suspension. Low down for the track and pumped up for the deep stuff.

bighammer check your pm's i sent you one earlier. so would air bags be the way to go? anyone else wanna chime in on maybe something better?

 

[Loren]

XcumminsX,



I'm not going to address the millions of other issues regarding drag racing that I know virtually nothing about, but this much I do know:



Unless you have to let off the throttle to prevent the truck from flipping over backwards (like a motorcycle wheely), OR unless your tires slip, ALL of the power you produce will get to the ground.



Obviously, a lift should not affect whether or not your tires slip. A lift, however, will affect the rear wheel torque at which your truck will flip over backwards. The higher your CG, the easier it is to flip the truck. Imagine one that's lifted 50 feet.



I doubt that any of our trucks will produce so much torque at the rear wheels that it will flip your truck no matter what lift you install.



Loren

 

[XcumminsX]

a 6500 lbs truck doing a wheelie? no way. i think if it can to that either the output shaft ,driveshaft, axle would break into 10000000000 peices before it got the wheels off the ground.

 

[SRadke]

Loren is on the right track here. Although a wheelie is not likely (especially with the Cummins up front) he's right about the power. What doesn't get lost in heat into the drive train goes to the ground. You will run into bigger problems with driveline geometry and axle wrap running a lift with that kind of power.



-Scott

 

[XcumminsX]

yeah i totally understand that, i know id have disasterous axle wrap before i had a wheelie... . how about custom traction bars though. i work at a machine shop i could make INSANE bars to get all the power held down