Hey Pullers!!!

[LBZ]

I am thinking about making a puller out of my truck seeing as I will never beat Simon's RC/LB. (Ya Simon-you read that last sentence correctly). I have never been to a truck pull, I've seen video, and that's it. There are not many pulls around my area, maybe a half-a-dozen a year tops, so it would be cool to be able to compete at joint drag/puller events as usually that's what they are.
What I am looking for is pics of your set-ups like your hitches, bumpers, counterweights, and other pulling related mods that y'all do to be able to compete.

I blame the success of B&B, Wayne, and the rest of you guys that kick ass at the track every event in my fascination with this sport. Kurt's enthusiasm alone has got me excited about doing this.

Thanks in advance for any and all input/pics and tips that you guys have to contribute!:hug:

 

[Bluemax]

http://www.mcratracing.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=580&d=1184594470

http://www.mcratracing.com/forum/showpost.php?p=14324&postcount=1

here's some pics of my bars, a couple show the weight bar. It just slides into the frame where the tow hooks are and uses the bolt holes that are already there.

My hitch is pretty simple, went to the local farm store bought a clevis with a 3in diameter, and a solid steel two in. ball mount. I cut off the end that the ball shank goes through so I had a solid piece of square steel and cut off the hole that the pin went through on the clevis and welded it to the outside of the square tube. with my lift kit welding it parallel with the top of the tube set me perfect at 26in hitch height. I'll take a picture of it in the morning if I remember.

 

[duramaxin14]

I will have to get pics for the set up but u can see my hitch

 

[mvnvltn]

I may have to fab up a set of those

 

[Bluemax]

Couple pics of my extremely complex pulling hitch...
If you want to make one like it you should leave it to the professionals like myself...:rofl:

Seriously though it gets the job done pretty well and it's cheap to make. With the t bars down and weight on the front it sits perfect at 25.75in. It tucks up pretty tight to the back of the truck so it doesn't pull up on the front end as much and I don't have to worry about it ever bending, and the loop is the rearmost point of the vehicle so it complies with the rules everywhere I have ever pulled. I would suggest a good quality pin in it whatever you use. The ones that come with most receivers work but after about 5 hooks I had a lot of trouble getting mine out because they were bent so I started using a real hitch pin.

 

[02freighttrain]

It's not that hard to build a dual purpose truck.

I have ran 11.74 at the track in the morning. Put on the pulling hitch, weight bar, rear blocks, changed tires and won the sled pull's that night.

It's not a lot of work if you set your truck up right.

Having a dual purpose truck is a lot of fun and gives you options.

If I can share any info with you, PM me a Phone number and I will be glad to help if I can.

Drag racing is a controllable addiction.

Sled pulling will entail Rehab at some point.

 

[LBZ]

So.......
I'm looking at-traction bars, a hitch,counter-weights (why??), apparently a stack or turn-down/up tip.

I saw some sort of a big-ass bumper thing on the back of a couple trucks-what's that about?

Also I have heard the hitch height of 26" tossed around. What is the signifigance of the height? Is it related to weight class or something?? Also I have seen 2.6 and 2.8 classes mentioned. What do those numbers refer to?

Just tryin to learn here. Thanks for all your input so far guys-I mean "DUDE'S"

 

[SmokeShow]

So.......
I'm looking at-traction bars, a hitch,counter-weights (why?? - so the front tires can get better traction), apparently a stack or turn-down/up tip - you may not need this, just depends on the rules around you.

I saw some sort of a big-ass bumper thing on the back of a couple trucks-what's that about? w/o seeing pics to know exactly what you are talking about, I'd venture to guess they are bumpers that stick out beyond the bed of the truck and are L-shaped or T-shaped. If so, these are so the sled hits those instead of your truck in the event you stop pulling for one reason or another. Typically only see these on trucks running roll pans though they would be benefitial even if you leave your OE bumper on.

Also I have heard the hitch height of 26" tossed around - 26" is probably the most common for 4x4 trucks but varies from place to place. What is the signifigance of the height? higher the hitch eight, more downward force exerted on the rear of the truck thereby planting the rear tires hopefully gaining you tractionIs it related to weight class or something?? Also I have seen 2.6 and 2.8 classes mentioned. What do those numbers refer to? those are max. limitations on the inducer bore of the charger

Just tryin to learn here. Thanks for all your input so far guys-I mean "DUDE'S"

Hope that helps.

 

[LBZ]

Every little bit helps-thanks!!

Pics would be cool too!!

 

[SmokeShow]

I'll see what I can muster....

In the mean time, Micahel Tomac's webiste, www.duramaxracing.com, is as helpful as any for pics of mods to do. Should get you some ideas anyways.

 

[LBZ]

Thanks Mitch.
What is the stock size of the inducer on an LBZ?
Yes those bumper thingies is what I was talking about. I didn't know what they were for.
What about safety stuff. I'm sure there is probably a ton of stuff like scatter shields, fire extinguishers and so on I need as well. Any info on what I might need in that area???

 

[LBZ]

Ok checked out Tomacs site and damn he has a lot of pulling under his belt! I learned alot, thanks for the link.
Where does a guy get those trac bars? Or do you guys make them?? Driveshaft loops etc.- It looks like alot of junk I need to take off to go in for warranty!!

 

[LBZ]

Has anyone ever bent, broken, pulled off their stock hitch when pulling?
Do I need to build some ginormous hitch like the one on the train??

I can't hang weight in the ATPA here so I guess I don't need to worry about that-at least not until I start competing with/against B&B!!

 

[bullfrogjohnson]

If you cant hang weight Dale then i would invest in an E-Locker if you want to be real competative

 

[SmokeShow]

Has anyone ever bent, broken, pulled off their stock hitch when pulling?
Do I need to build some ginormous hitch like the one on the train??

I can't hang weight in the ATPA here so I guess I don't need to worry about that-at least not until I start competing with/against B&B!!

when you say "hitch" I'm assuming you are talking about the piece that bolts to the frame... that being the case, you will want to either a) buy a Class V hitch of some sort, reinforce it (yes, they do still bend on pulling trucks) or b) really reinforce the stocker.

Either way, yes, a beefy "hitch" (what I usually call a receiver) will be needed or whatever you have WILL end up bending.



C-ya

 

[LBZ]

Ya I am talking about the stock GM Reciever.

 

[Bluemax]

I used my stock one three or four times and when I got under the truck the welds were starting to crack pretty bad and I didn't want to chance it anymore. I have seen a few of them break in the middle of the track though and even though it's kinda funny to see, it looks and sounds pretty hard on a lot of stuff. Not to mention if you have to run a kill switch or air cut off and it kills your truck.
The sleds still coming and your sitting still....think about seeing that in the rear view knowing you can't do anything about it.

I've got a Reese class V Tow Beast on mine. Not reinforced yet but has a date with the press and welder pretty soon because it's getting hard to get the hitch slid in and out any more.

 

[LBZ]

Hmmnnn. I really dont want to put some big ugly hitch under my truck. I wonder if I can just make some sort of slide in deal that is bolted to the frame that is just for pulling and I can remove it when I'm not attending the 5 pulls a year we have up here!!

 

[Kat]

Hmmnnn. I really dont want to put some big ugly hitch under my truck. I wonder if I can just make some sort of slide in deal that is bolted to the frame that is just for pulling and I can remove it when I'm not attending the 5 pulls a year we have up here!!

:hijacked:

:rofl::rofl:

 

[MaxFarmer]

Hmmnnn. I really dont want to put some big ugly hitch under my truck. I wonder if I can just make some sort of slide in deal that is bolted to the frame that is just for pulling and I can remove it when I'm not attending the 5 pulls a year we have up here!!

:yup: