Rookie needs help....

[DIRTY DIRTY]

Alright guys, I've never pulled before, so this may be dumb to some of ya'll. But how do you guys pull? 4 Low or 4 Hi? Do you hold it in 1st or just leave it in drive? Put it to the wood as soon as they let you go or ease into it? My hometown is having a tractor pull this saturday, July 3rd. So if you guys could help me out so I don't get out there and look like a fool I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[MACKIN]

If you don't have tie-rod sleeves I'd get that done first. If not sit on the bleachers and talk shit

 

[SmokeShow]

x2 :thumb:


If you do have tie rod sleeves, run 4LO and put it in 3rd, NOT drive. I'd try to build a little boost at the line before launching but you could just roll into the throttle. You certainly want it matted by the time you've gone 50 ft.

If at all possible, I'd try to make yourself a set of spring clamps for the rear if you don't have traction bars. And if they'll let you, I'd put some blocks between the leaf springs and frame. Heck 4x4 blocks strapped in will suffice for one hook. Doing this will drastically help you not break a u-joint from too much bind when the suspension gets heavily compressed from the load and tries to wrap up the rear end.


Again, please don't even bother hooking if you don't have tie rod sleeves. It's just not pretty 99% of the time.

 

[bonescarolfi]

Lower your torsion bars all the way down too. And whatever weight they allow you want to be at it with most of it up front somehow. Put sandbags or something similar in the cab. Suspension stops make a huge difference but at least do the spring clamps or like said above something might break and you may not make it very far. Also use tow haul and have a decent amount of pressure in your rear tires and less up front. I run 50 to 60 in the rear depending on the track and 25 up front. Other than that get the sled moving and hammer down. And like said above use 4lo that's one of the main things.
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[UPS DRVR]

You can pull with out sleeves but make sure you strap the drag link down so it can't rotate up and pull your wheels in toward each other. Do a search to find a write up on how to do that. I know it can be done, we have a guy around here that does it. I would recomend that you do get sleeves if your going to keep pulling though. Have fun.

 

[MrUPS]

I am the above mentioned guy that doesn't have sleeves.....yet!.......cough john....cough :hug: . Like mentioned, turn the T-bars all the way down. Count the turns so you can return to stock after the pull. U MUST STRAP THE FRONT END DOWN!!! with out sleeves you have to strap. I would let some air out of the front tires (around 25 or so is where you want to be). The spring clamps are a great idea. I run them. And also get some blocks to limit the travel of the rear suspension. I am running some high dollar 4x4 blocks with even higher dollar duct tape to hold them in place. :thumb: Don't laugh! I put them on last year and there still there! :rofl: :rofl: I know its kinna hillbilly but its a start and it works just fine for what you want to do. I would pull in low range 3rd gear tow haul. When you get to the end of your pull and the truck has stopped try and bump into neutral because the converter is locked and you will stall if you don't. If you can't, don't worry about it. After the stall go back to park and restart. I hope this helps some. I'm not an expert but any means but I'm doing what you want to do so I kinna know where you're coming from. Just have fun man. Oh....and enjoy you're last day of having money. after you pull will have a list of power goodies that you "just gotta have! " :happy2:

 

[DIRTY DIRTY]

Well guys, they canceled the pull.... But I do thank ya'll very much for the advice. I think I'll get a few more toys before I do pull though. Thanks again.