Mudders, pullers, etc., etc.
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From: New Haven, MO
Mudders, pullers, etc., etc.
I was wondering who all out there has any sort of mudding, pulling, tough truck type vehicles. I'm thinking about getting into some of these sports, but I'm low on ideas on how to build my vehicles and what kind of mods/drivetrains to use. Thanks.
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From: Honkytonkville
Mud running is the way to go, bud...Far less expensive than pulling and more easily accessible than rough truck. I personally own two mud trucks- one of which only sees the mud cause she isn't street legal. Going to the pits and spending your whole saturday is a good time for me- each time you find a way to make your rig better and get to watch other guys do some really strange things- I've seen 2 camaros and an impala on 4wd truck frames run and even a stock 92 saturn run....good times
Scott
Scott
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From: Cameron, OK
Mud and rocks here, just for fun though... always end up "pulling" someone though.
I have an 85 full size Bronco... 4" Lift with 35's right now. It breaks a lot, and is broke right now.
What I'm working on...
F250 axle transplant... Converting to a straight axle D44 set-up in the front, TTB is out. And the D60 rearend is going in also, 8.8 is out. I'm keeping the 4.9L I-6 but junking the Manual O.D. for a granny 4 speed and NP205 Trans Case. I haven't decided on the suspension set up yet, I may just use what I have for now and a lift, I just need to figure out how many inches it will take to get the 38's under there. I eventually want a 4 link set-up and I've seen some home built 4 links that were great set-ups, I just don't have the know how or a pattern vehicle for that yet, and all the ones I've found online were more $$$$ than the TTB lifts. I know I'm going to break it too, so I might as well be able to afford fixing it. I'll be dropping the 35's for 38" SS Boggers or TSL's on beadlocks.
I have an 85 full size Bronco... 4" Lift with 35's right now. It breaks a lot, and is broke right now.
What I'm working on...
F250 axle transplant... Converting to a straight axle D44 set-up in the front, TTB is out. And the D60 rearend is going in also, 8.8 is out. I'm keeping the 4.9L I-6 but junking the Manual O.D. for a granny 4 speed and NP205 Trans Case. I haven't decided on the suspension set up yet, I may just use what I have for now and a lift, I just need to figure out how many inches it will take to get the 38's under there. I eventually want a 4 link set-up and I've seen some home built 4 links that were great set-ups, I just don't have the know how or a pattern vehicle for that yet, and all the ones I've found online were more $$$$ than the TTB lifts. I know I'm going to break it too, so I might as well be able to afford fixing it. I'll be dropping the 35's for 38" SS Boggers or TSL's on beadlocks.
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From: Honkytonkville
I'd be careful with the lift if you plan on rock crawling with this haus...Too much could be a health risk with that top-heavy truck. I know it's not a Bronco II, but fullsize bronco's are still top heavy. And BTW, a friend described truck pulling in a pretty honest fashion for me tonight. He is even a huge fan of pulling(as am I), but described it as "mud running for the rich city boys or guys who don't want to get their truck dirty." Just a thought.
Scott
Scott
Last edited by scottie2hottie; Jun 17, 2004 at 10:14 PM.
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From: New Haven, MO
Yeah, I'd like to get into mudding right now and maybe pulling in about 10 years or so. I'm only 20, so I like to think way in the future. My dad's cousin has an old Jeep, probably a CJ7 that I was thinking about using. No motor and not sure about the tranny. But lifted with big tires on it. He might have wanted to do the same thing, but ran out of time, money and energy to finish it. This is just an idea my friend and I had after going to a mud run last Sat. I figure for around about $3-4000 we can get a good running rig for this kind of thing, and try to get some sponsorships to offset costs and upgrades. Basically it'd be a joint project of WE'd work on MY vehicle at HIS shed. Anyway, of course all this is just ideas right now, but I'm thinking we might be able to get something together for the 2005 season.
I'd like to keep this project as Ford as possible, with maybe a Chevy
part every now and then possibly. Maybe I'll just get a pre-87 HD truck for parts and put a lot of stuff in the Jeep.
What would you suggest for engines and axle ratios, and manual or auto.??
I'd like to keep this project as Ford as possible, with maybe a Chevy
part every now and then possibly. Maybe I'll just get a pre-87 HD truck for parts and put a lot of stuff in the Jeep.What would you suggest for engines and axle ratios, and manual or auto.??
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From: Honkytonkville
Good decision on the mud running!! As for running gear- If you want to keep it cheap(and don't get me wrong- I'm a ford guy through and through)small block chevy motors are the cheapest and easiest to work on and run well when very hot. We use them in our demolition derby cars for these exact reasons. Both my mud rigs run 460's, and they are very hard to keep cool!!! axle ratios- anywhere from 4.56- 5.13, depending on what you get out of your motor. I wouldnt go higher or lower(higher= bog down motor, lower= not enough wheel speed) And as for tranny- automatic as long as youre only mud running- shift speed is much quicker in an auto. I'd suggest an investment in a full manual valve body and a quick shifter for it as well. Good luck to ya!
Scott
Scott
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From: New Haven, MO
Thanks for the info. I'm surprised at the gear ratios you chose. I was thinking running 3.73, but I guess not. At the mud run I went to, it seemed like the bigger motors were doing better. Of course, I don't remember what the "skimmers" were running, but that's what I'm gonna try to build. Maybe I'll have to pay more attention next time. And yeah, I've got a lot of experience with 350's; I owned one that constantly needed tinkering for 5 years.
Would you suggest running a radiator or not??
Would you suggest running a radiator or not??
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From: Honkytonkville
Everyone one in my crew definitely runs radiators- but 6 of the 7 rigs are big block full size pickups(not exactly a "skimmer"), so the slower travel and higher RPMs means more heat. Some guys prefer to put them in the bed to keep the fins mud free, but mine is in the core support(where it was when it was still street legal) and it works just as well. 3.73 gears would be fine to run, as long as your motor can back them up. Theoretically, the faster your wheel speed the better. However, in thick mud bogging down your motor becomes a problem, and this is what slows your momentum and ultimently brings you to a halt. This is why we run lower gears. Basically, lower gears are cheaper than high HP motors- so that's the most favored route. I could probably run 3.73(or lower) without a problem with my 600+ horses- but the 4.56 gears are in there and have been since I dynoed at 267Hp. Just personal preference at this point, I suppose.
Scott
PS- our mud bog doesn't have many of these skimmers, but I did see a Suzuki Samauri with an aluminum small block clear a 100' pit in about 3/4 seconds.....I'm not fond of that though, I like to get muddy
Scott
PS- our mud bog doesn't have many of these skimmers, but I did see a Suzuki Samauri with an aluminum small block clear a 100' pit in about 3/4 seconds.....I'm not fond of that though, I like to get muddy
Last edited by scottie2hottie; Jun 20, 2004 at 10:54 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: New Haven, MO
Who knows, maybe I'll get the jeep to be a skimmer, and use the old truck to get down and dirty!! The place where I'd be running gets quite a few of these quick little vehicles, so I'd want to keep up with them, but I might just stick with street-stock class for now and use your suggestions.