I posted this earlier in the competition forum but it only has 2 views. so i'll just copy and paste it since it looks to be that this one gets way more traffic.



Ok guys. I think i am going to take the jump into pulling 1 pull this fall to get the feel of it for the begining of next year. I just want some tips. And also i have a question. The question is Do most of the pulls provide the plug for the reciever hitch or do you have to bring your own??? and if so where to purchase one???

Ok as for the tips. I am runing the factory size 235/85/16's with stock 3.73 gears. I know to pull in low range but i'm not sure on what gear to start out in. should i start in manual 1 or 2? and shoud i let it shift? This will be my first hook with any truck (or anything for that matter) and just want to have an idea of what gear i should go with. I was watching pulls last weekend and i noticed that the ones that were pulling a higher gear faired much better than going with the low grunt gear. I do understand that you have to make power to pull the higher gears. but i think 2nd would be enough. So any help i would be grateful for I would like to go and have fun i'm not expecting to win as i'm not runing a DP tuner or anything just a 10k mod. But i want to go there trying to win so i will not be tip toeing down the track when hooked.
Also any pointers on what tire pressure to run and how to estimate how much depending on track conditions? I also have heard of some people making clamps out of steel to clamp the helper spring to the main pack to help keep the springs from twisting under the axle torque?

Also i would like to add to the original post that i was at the local tractor supply company tonight. I noticed that they have a Recovery tow hoop, It is a solid 1 piece with a hole drilled through it for the pin that goes in the reciever side and about a softball sized hoop for tow hooks ect on the other end. Is this what most guys use at the sled pulls? It was 30.00

 

You will need your own hitch. Borrow one from someone if you can. This will give you an idea.



Leave the rear tires at max rated pressure. Lower the front to 25-35 psi. The looser or softer the track the lower the pressure.
You will not have the power to go to drive. Some start in second, some start in low and shift to second. Starting in low then shifting is easier on the trans.



You should be able to find u-bolts at NAPA. The plates you will have to make.

 

Awesome post that is just what i was looking for. I was hoping that you would reply. Question about your hitch. I noticed most have limits to how high it can be and it appears that yours is adjustable. Is this so that one truck doesnt have a higher hitch height gaining an advantage from the sled pulling down on the truck planting it harder to the track?
And the spring clamp pic is just what i was guessing it would be.
thanks again
and good luck in your up coming hooks.

 

Shoot me an email and I will send you some pic's of my hitch... joram@csiconstruction.com

 

The org. putting on the pull will have a hitch height limit. Yes this is to keep things within reason. I can say some trucks pull better with a max height hitch, some dont.

 

I'll be hooking up to a sled for the first time with this truck on Friday night(8/7). I have a couple of pulls with a gasser, but none with a diesel. I also believe the hitch height for this particular pull is 26". I'm still looking for the correct gear to pull in, second/4lo seems kind of slow. Would leaving it in D with the OD off work, or would it kill the power when it shifts into third? The TC will be locked also.

 

The jump in ratio between 2nd and drive is big. Even the high powered trucks have a hard time with it.

The best suggestion I can give to anyone is to go out on a back road and try different gears and see what mph you have with each. You need to know your truck! You need to be around 24mph wheel speed at an rpm that you can hold down the track. This is not gospel for every truck. It depends on how much power you make and mow many rpm's your engine is capable of.

 

Kevin, I just got back in from some back road testing. These numbers are all unloaded and with nothing in tow, 3.73 gears, auto trans and 265/75/16 tires.

3000rpm
4LO 1st:10mph
2nd:18mph
3rd:27mph

2500rpm
4LO 1st:6mph
2nd:15mph
3rd:24mph

Now, will I have the power to hold either of these rpm's with a sled attached? I don't know, because I don't know what I'm putting to the ground. It will be a learning experience, that's for sure. I appreciate all the help you've given so far.

 

I actually did some testing like that before the post.
Low 1st is about 11-12
Low 2nd 20 felt a little slow.
And 3rd i think was close 30

All of these were taken all out wide open letting the limiter hold the truck back.
I feel 2nd is a little to low, but i'm pretty sure i won't have the power to pull it in 3rd without it boggin down and hunting a gear so i think i'll give 2nd a shot and hammer down.

 

hey mustang sry i didnt reply so fast we started farming this week and its been ***** to the wall. Also i had no idea how to reply the message you sent me sry. But about truck pulls when i pulled we had a 13 mph speed limit and i ran in 4l 1st gear on the shifter and spun out to quick. My egt were around 1100-1200 didnt look that close cuz was watchin my speed. Without a tuner you should be fine on egt. I left the air pressure the same and still didnt get on wheel hoop. if you have any more questions please ask will be glad to try and help
p.s sry if i dont return them fast we are farming everyday

 

Guys I'm doin' the best I can I'm a 6spd guy. Correct me if I'm wrong. The autos are 4spd? Once you get to drive (3rd) there's no way to keep it from going to 4th.
I'm working on gear selection tables.

 

These are low range. If it will stay in third it may work. Like I said I pull a stick so I don't know.
second gear 1.54, T-case 2.72, 33in tire, 3k rpm=19mph
second gear 1.54, T-case 2.72, 31in tire, 3.2k rpm=19mph

third gear 1.00 T-case 2.72 33in tire 2.9 rpm=28mph
third gear 1.00 T-case 2.72 31in tire 2.8 rpm=25mph

These are high range.
first gear 2.71 T-case 1.00 33in tire 2.55 rpm=25mph
first gear 2.71 T-case 1.00 31in tire 2.75 rpm=25mph

 

Well. I think if you turn OD off it will limit it to 3rd gear even if it is in low range. But it won't keep it from downshifting into 2nd. And from what ive seen i don't think leting it downshift would be a good thing.

 

You still have converter lockup in drive without OD?
IDK everyone I've talked to said drive doesn't work.

 

Yes, it will stay in 3rd with the OD off. Why would letting it downshift be a bad thing?