I need some helpful suggestions about a good Ford puller truck. I have never pulled before. So I don't know how to get started. I would like to know what truck would make a good puller in the Small Block 5500 # class ? Thanks

 

Get the heaviest rated truck you can that has a smallblock in it. Find a carbed 351w f350, youll be set on the drivetrain if its a auto.

 

I second that. I looked around, and the 351W is the largest small block. The next largest engines are 352, and 360 cubes, but they are FE big blocks. I knew the 400 was, but wasn't sure on those two. So yeah, what chrono4 said.

 

A 78-79 F-350 is the best truck to start with because it already has a Dana 60 front and most had a Dana 70 rear. It also has a heavier and stiffer frame. Put a Trac-Loc in the front and weld the gears in the rear and you'll be ready to go.

 

Now comes the fun of looking for one. Can't wait to try out what you suggested.

 

Also, look for a reg cab, short bed. less weight, faster truck. a long bed will do, its just it adds weight

 

351w ain't the smallest smal block, and for a pulling truck i'd stay away from it, cause the 400 is a small block (yes it does have the bbf bellhousing bolt patterb, but ford classifies it as a small block ), and to add to that it has the longest stroke out of any of the ford pushrod motors (the 5.4 mod motor has a 4.1" stroke), and although i'm not to sure on what you're allowed for mods, but a comp cams 255deh cam, 4bb dual plane intake with a holley 750 double pumper carb a set of flat top pistons (kb just came out with some new hyper. style pistons for the 400 that are good for 9.5cr, check the 335 series forum with the fte sponsor tim meyer as he sells those pistons, and actually i think i got the first set of them too but i need to check some part numbers) and a set of headers and you'll have way more tq than that 351w will without a serious build (ie stroker). An i don't care what people say, the 400 is an excellant motor that can build pretty decent power and it can take it too (i'm on my third mud racing season with my 400 and its still as strong as it was the day we put in, and it had 90,000 miles on it when we put it in the truck).

Now as far as a truck goes, well i'd stick with a light 3/4ton as anything 1ton in the 70's is heavier than 5500. Ideally what i'd do is get an early 80's ford 3/4ton and find and 8bolt dana 44, then ad a few extra crossmembers/box fram under neath the cab to about a foot or 2 behind the cab, then you'll still have around 500lbs (my 80 as it sits around 52-5300lbs but i've added a good bit of weight with the 60f/10.25rear and lift brackets) to play with, the pre 80's truck will be pushing that number as they sit.

 

You never pulled before. Do you have any truck pullers around you that you can look at there truck an talk to them. Just to talk to those guys you can learn so much about what needs to be done with a truck to get it ready for pulling.

 

There is an aftermarket small block from Motown, I think, that displaces 477 cubes. It has one helluva stroke, siamesed bores, and a very tall deck height. I wonder if they would say anything if you brought one of those.

 

Cleveland baby, Cleveland



Oh, and a set of 4.88's

 

I was always told that the Ford 400 was a BB, and the Chevy 400 was a SB. I would go with a Power-Lock limited slip for the front, they are stronger than a Trac-Lock, provide better traction, and they aren't much more expensive.

 

why even use the money on a locker? just weld them up, spend the money on better tire/gears instead.

 

has never heard the 400 considered a small block for fords, now i know chevy had a 400 that was considered a small block

 

yes the 400 is a small block, only reason why people say its a bb is cause of the bellhousing pattern is a bb bolt pattern, but you look in any of the ford literature and they say its a small block, as its just a taller deck 351cleveland, as the entire valve train (minus pushrods) interchange and you can use the 351c pistons in a 400 if you bush the 400 rods, they share all common front accesories and water pump and ignition systems, so really other than bellhousing the only difference bettween the 351c and 400 is the taller deck for the longer stroke (the 351m is just a destroked 400).

 

But don't forget the the bellhousing isn't the only thing they share with the 429/460, they also share the same dist too. (don't get me wrong I agree it's a small block but the 351M400 share more in common with the 429/460 than they do with the Windsor family)