Truck Pull Rear End
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 547
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Truck Pull Rear End
My nephew and my brother are going to convert the 1978 F-250 I gave them into a truck pull competitor. They plan on installing a 460 engine (it now has a 400) and a different rearend. It currently has a Dana 60 with a 3.70 or 3.77 gear, whichever is correct for that vehicle.
They would like information on the best rearend and gear ratio for that endeavor if anyone here might have knowledge.
Thank you in advance.
Dennis
They would like information on the best rearend and gear ratio for that endeavor if anyone here might have knowledge.
Thank you in advance.
Dennis
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 712
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
^^yup. A Dana 80 out of an old Dually Dodge would be another option.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 547
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Thanks to both of you, I will relay the info. Does anyone have ideas on the gear ratio required for pulling the sleds?
Is there a posi-traction or limited-slip version of any of these rearends?
Thanks again.
Dennis
Is there a posi-traction or limited-slip version of any of these rearends?
Thanks again.
Dennis
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 656
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From: Salisbury, PA
The Chevy 14 bolt. In my area 95% of gasoline pulling trucks use the 14 bolt. Cheap. 3rd pinion support bearing on the end. Very high strength stock carrier. More than thick enough axles for dirt.
Gear ratio is a tricky situation. I would say that depends on the final result of the truck, engine output, transmission ratios, and tire size. Too tall of s gear and you can't spin the tires fast enough down the end of the track to get distance. Too short a gear and you can be very sluggish out of the hole because it can't spin the tires. The more torque you engine can put out the shorter gear ratio you can run.
Gear ratio is a tricky situation. I would say that depends on the final result of the truck, engine output, transmission ratios, and tire size. Too tall of s gear and you can't spin the tires fast enough down the end of the track to get distance. Too short a gear and you can be very sluggish out of the hole because it can't spin the tires. The more torque you engine can put out the shorter gear ratio you can run.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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For gears, you'll have to take into account the camshaft/torque converter selection, as well as what tire size you'll be running. I also recommend the 14 bolt Chevy, that's one tough axle in stock form. Plus, they're dirt cheap; you can usually find them in wrecking yards with 4.10 gears for $50-200, depending on condition.
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Joined: Apr 2014
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I run a 79 f250 in the street mod class in new york and the pulling league. Im running a dana 60 front and rear axle. Both axles are welded solid. You dont want to run anything but welded in a pulling truck. I run 1 leaf on my front axle (main leaf) then a second leaf below it thats cut down to 6 inches total. I run between 3-5x 100 pound weights in front of the front axle. Rear leafs i run 13 leafs. You will need a class 4 or 5 hitch. Call your local truck league as they have a requirement for hitch height. As far as the 460. Dont run an alternator. And use an electric water pump after each pull. Just use a small generator to juice the battery if needed. Ive always been able to pull 5-6 times a night without using a generator or alternator.
dont listen to everyone about how to build a 9,200 rpm 460. You dont need it. Mine runs 9200+ rpm with a stock bottom end but you will repair it constantly. Get early dove heads and port them huge. Run about 67-7200 rpm. Over the frame headers that exit strait down behind the front tires!! Not one that exit back!!. Roller cam, stock bottom end. 33x10.50 tires. Headers get 2 inch or bigger primarys.
goodluck and be safe that setup will run you in stock classes.
dont listen to everyone about how to build a 9,200 rpm 460. You dont need it. Mine runs 9200+ rpm with a stock bottom end but you will repair it constantly. Get early dove heads and port them huge. Run about 67-7200 rpm. Over the frame headers that exit strait down behind the front tires!! Not one that exit back!!. Roller cam, stock bottom end. 33x10.50 tires. Headers get 2 inch or bigger primarys.
goodluck and be safe that setup will run you in stock classes.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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Our pulling body does not allow headers in the "Stock" class anymore. Must run mufflers. A 60 front is the best. But we have found that an unlocked, not welded straight axle 44 will last for a while. 14 bolt rear is great. I broke 2 Sterlings in my 86. I run a mini spool now. I run 4:10 gears but may go to 4:56s. I still want to drive it on the street some. Where we pull, Iowa and Illinois, it takes 450 + horses to be in the mix. 500+ moves you way up. There are\ were a few 600+hp trucks here. Move up slow as you can afford it. I'm running 10 springs in the rear with stops at 2 inches of travel. That's another rule.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 1
From: Robertsdale, AL
I run a 79 f250 in the street mod class in new york and the pulling league. Im running a dana 60 front and rear axle. Both axles are welded solid. You dont want to run anything but welded in a pulling truck. I run 1 leaf on my front axle (main leaf) then a second leaf below it thats cut down to 6 inches total. I run between 3-5x 100 pound weights in front of the front axle. Rear leafs i run 13 leafs. You will need a class 4 or 5 hitch. Call your local truck league as they have a requirement for hitch height. As far as the 460. Dont run an alternator. And use an electric water pump after each pull. Just use a small generator to juice the battery if needed. Ive always been able to pull 5-6 times a night without using a generator or alternator.
dont listen to everyone about how to build a 9,200 rpm 460. You dont need it. Mine runs 9200+ rpm with a stock bottom end but you will repair it constantly. Get early dove heads and port them huge. Run about 67-7200 rpm. Over the frame headers that exit strait down behind the front tires!! Not one that exit back!!. Roller cam, stock bottom end. 33x10.50 tires. Headers get 2 inch or bigger primarys.
goodluck and be safe that setup will run you in stock classes.
dont listen to everyone about how to build a 9,200 rpm 460. You dont need it. Mine runs 9200+ rpm with a stock bottom end but you will repair it constantly. Get early dove heads and port them huge. Run about 67-7200 rpm. Over the frame headers that exit strait down behind the front tires!! Not one that exit back!!. Roller cam, stock bottom end. 33x10.50 tires. Headers get 2 inch or bigger primarys.
goodluck and be safe that setup will run you in stock classes.
You gotta have some videos if that beast pullin!!!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 271
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Theres lots of videos, i believe all the pulls are recorded in new york by at least 1 person. Word of advice. Stay in stock class. Street mod that i run is now allowing turbos and nos and mountain motors. Not worth the money for a trophy and 100$ cash.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 822
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From: Ilion Herkimer
where abouts in NY do you pull ? my son and i go to quite a few though we usually hang out with my cousin and his step brother's pulling team which wears bowties. being a ford guy i i get a lot of **** for hanging out with those gys but always a good time.
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More Turbo
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Thanks to all for your replies. I have passed all the info to my brother and nephew.
The truck is two-wheel drive as they plan to stay fairly simple, at first anyway.
Does the Chevy 14 bolt need to be modified to fit or does it bolt in?
Dennis
The truck is two-wheel drive as they plan to stay fairly simple, at first anyway.
Does the Chevy 14 bolt need to be modified to fit or does it bolt in?
Dennis