Competition Need sled pulling advise

[M Barnett]

They are bringing in a sled to the fair this year and I've spent all summer trying to talk myself out of it but no luck so far. Yesterday I found out a Duramax is comming to pull claiming 400 hp. Well, thats what I'm also claiming so gotta go pull now for sure. He is also first time puller so should be interesting. Heres my setup fellows and please give me some good advise and tips so I can bury this chebby. Five speed with 3. 54 diffs, 403 hp on dynojet, Rancho 9,000 with Firestone air bags, tires are Bridgestone TA's 265/275. Reciever is 21" from the ground, ball tounge is 16" from ground. Do I need to make a hitch for the sled? Should I run in second gear? Should I talk to the fellow bringing the sled to see if I can do a test pull before the event? I've never even watched a pull before as I live out in remote Az and this is our first time bringing in a sled. All/any help appreciated.

Michael

 

[DSteinel]

First off, Depending on how aggressive your tires are I would drop a lot of air. I run my air bags at about 60lbs, back of the truck barely moves. Find out what hitch height is and try to get as close as possible, as for gears I think most of the good running 5 speeds around here run 3rd low, all depends on how the track is. This should be a good start, maybe some of the 5spd owners can help you a little more. I know how important it is to spank a Duraslug my dad has one sitting in the garage right now

 

[Sled Puller]

3rd low, ease off the line and give that clutch a chance to hook, then get on it. If you mash it from the get go, the clutch will smoke, and you'll go no where.

If the clutch does not hold, drop to first hi.



You need a solid hitch, at least coming straight out. 22"-26' is a good range, depending on what they allow.



DO NOT TURN HOLLOW DROP HITCHES UPSIDE DOWN.



After you find a solid one, get a shackle that has at least 3 inch I. D. . You may have to bore the hole a bit larger to get the shackle pin in it.





Download and watch some of the pull videos.



Too bad none of my weak clutch videos are on the net, that is what you need to see.

 

[M Barnett]

Thanks for the good advise fellows. I will air down the tires to about 25 lbs, and air up the bags. I am running a drop hitch which is solid and is a six inch drop. If allowed to use the height of my hitch coming out at 22" I will make a solid straight hitch as you describe as I have a machine shop. I have a good digital camcorder, so if I do something spectular, like throwing the transmission over the grandstands, I'll have it on tape!



Thanks again

 

[DSteinel]

Just ease into the clutch, and stop if it starts to hop. and show that Duracraper what 400hp looks like :--) Keep us informed on what happens.

 

[sewman]

I made some 4x4x4 blocks out of wood & strapped them between the axle & rubber axle snubber this stopped my axle hopping. You don't want to let much air out of the rear tires just the front.

If you can get some wider tires,even some used ones 33" will help. 3rd gear iis good to pull in do you have the gov spring kit in your truck that'll help too.

show what a Cummins can do!!

Bob

 

[M Barnett]

sewman;

yes, I have the gov spring kit. I guess with the rancho 9,000 shocks I should set them on the highest setting-5.

Michael

 

[FFutch]

Find out the rules....

... before you get there. I found out this year at the local pull you could block the rear suspension and hang weights off the front. Couldn't do that last year. Definately make your rear suspension as stiff as possible so I'd say turn the shocks up. Add as much weight to the left front as possible. Good luck and don't worry about that chevy,there was one at my pull and he went all of 100'... Doug

 

[Brandon]

its not just make it as stiff as you can and add as much weight as you can

 

[FFutch]

Brandon...

... I agree. But all the horsepower in the world ain't gonna do you no good if you can't get it to the ground. I will admit I'm not in the same league as you,Gene,or the Mitchells,but if I would have had the same suspension set-up as the others at this pull I believe I would have done alot better... . Doug

 

[M Barnett]

Thanks for all the advise. I think my truck is set up pretty good for a first time pull. Only problem is, I finally ran down the fellow thats bringing in the sled as I wanted to know how to set up my hitch and question weights, etc. Problem is, he doesn't know which sled we will be using yet. He said the rules go with the sled. It will probably be one of those last minute deals. One more question, one of you mentioned airing down the front tires only?

Michael