Wheelbase and its effect on pulling

edgerat

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I finally have the motivation and money to turn my reg cab into a pulling truck. Big single, big pump, big RPM. Someone brought up the idea that because of the shorter wheelbase on my reg cab I may not be able to put as much power to the ground before overcoming the wheelbase of the truck from a mathematical, lever-ratio point of view than if I had a ext cab longbed truck. Just wondering what your thoughts are on this...
Isaac
 
I think it depends more on how the truck is set up. I think it is easier to set up a longer wheelbase truck vice a shorter wheelbase, however you will be able to hang much more weight over the nose of the truck. As it has been said before, Brad Ingram's truck has the same wheelbase as yours and is continuously a winner. I would steer clear of short traction bars.

-Tom
 
damnit Tom for the last time I am not buying "One Bad Habit" ;) I was thinking about some traction bars like Garrett has on his truck that start around the middle of the cab of the truck and go back from there. Should I still consider moving the hitch forward or should I leave it where it is?
 
Tcolesanti said:
I think it depends more on how the truck is set up. I think it is easier to set up a longer wheelbase truck vice a shorter wheelbase, however you will be able to hang much more weight over the nose of the truck. As it has been said before, Brad Ingram's truck has the same wheelbase as yours and is continuously a winner. I would steer clear of short traction bars.

-Tom

purely FYI, but a quad/short truck is longer than a single cab/long bed
 
Here is the hitch I built for my truck. This is the side that faces forward.

-Tom
 

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Forrest Nearing said:
purely FYI, but a quad/short truck is longer than a single cab/long bed
they take the same fuel tank....would that be indicative of the same wheelbase or am I grasping at straws?
P.S. your DV's shipped today :rockwoot:
 
I am happy with the extra-long traction bars on my truck.
Body flex also seems to be a lot less than some of the other Dodge trucks with shorter traction bars.
 
I would say there is a big advantage with the longer wheel base trucks. Mine is a 174" long...I think a Quad Cab Dually Dodge is 156" if I am correct. If you look at the whole Tetter-Totter theory you will see the advantage in a longer wheel base truck. Move the hitch forward and it just amplifies the whole theory!!!

RyanB
 
DO the math on it and figure out if the weight difference between the two will give you that much more mechanical advantage when you hang that much more weight on the front
 
I run a single cab longbed W/just shy of 7Ft bars. I did not have the convenience of using where the frame is boxed so I used a aluminium block to squeeze between my frame. I used DOM 2"OD 1/2 Wall Then I tapped both ends 1 1/4" for my joints and my joints except a 1" Bolt I think the set-up real nice IMO.
Brandon
Rear Ladder Bar Mount.JPG

Rear Ladder Bar Mount Side.JPG

Inside Ladder Bar.JPG
 
Tcolesanti said:
Here is the hitch I built for my truck. This is the side that faces forward.

-Tom


Nice looking piece, and nice work... my question is.. is that DHRA legal???
 
ABOBB said:
Nice looking piece, and nice work... my question is.. is that DHRA legal???

Looks like dhra legal to me. It appears to be a reese-style hitch :)
Though built way better, nice work Tom!
 
I know the diesel guys (myself including) like longer bars but in theory a shorter bar will hook the rear tires harder some wont more bit in rear mayb dont , longer WB is better to a point were weight can b moved
 
Bobcat698 said:
Looks like dhra legal to me. It appears to be a reese-style hitch :)
Though built way better, nice work Tom!


Thanks, thats it right there a "reese style" hitch. Mine accepts a 2" square hitch stock and uses a 3/4" pin.

-Tom
 
Rods, how do you figure a shorter bar hooks the rear harder, I never heard that one but very would like to know your reasoning please ?
 
shorter bar wont let the rear end squat as much as a longer one will. makes the rear rear end act more like a solid suspension.
 
I understand that but rules state you can run blocks with 1" travel so why would that matter
 
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