Local truck pull has a diesel exhibition class and a lot of my buddies all pull. I am going to give it a shot. Truck is all stock reg. cab 2500 with a ZF 6 speed. Truck has 245 75R 16 Wild Country RV's (?). Looking for basic advice and set-up. Anybody know what gear I should give it a shot in. Friend guessed I'd want wheel speed in the 20's at least. Not sure what gear in 4-lo I could launch in and get that kind of speed in. 4-lo 4th gear at 2500 rpms is only 17mph. Not even sure I could launch in this gear. Any help is appreciated. Also wondering on tire pressure and any other basic set-ups. Adding weight is allowed and I do have access to some tractor weights for the passenger side of the cab or box. I plan on driving the truck there, doing basic adjustments, pulling, and driving back. I have a little time this week for some prep but not a ton. Thanks a lot guys!

crank down your front torsion bars. clamp your rear springs (do a search for this), leave the rear tires aired up and about 35 lbs or so in the front, add as much weight as you are allowed and never give up hitch height. gear wise I don't know for sure since I have the Ally. maybe 4low 3rd gear???? get the sled rolling before you hammer down on it. watch out for wheel hoop if you don't clamp your rear springs.

have fun, you should order a predator :ro)

3rd gear 4lo is what I'd try, and take the rpm right to the red line for wheel speed. I dought you'll get 4th with a stock clutch unless your in the market for a new one shortly after. The small tires might help though because when I did my truck I had 285's but I had an edge as well. Good luck and have fun.

Thanks for the tips guys. Looks like the rear spring clamp topic has been beat to death but here's a quick one. Is it better to clamp the front and rear for sled pulling or just the front of the leafs? Thanks in advance. I'm eager to see how it does. Still have to round up about 1000lb. of weight somehow/somewhere. I am guessing my stock weight is 6700-6900 lbs? Max weight in the class is 8000lb., do I want to be right on the edge of 8000?

Cheesehead,

Clamp both front and rear. Add an additional overload if you have time(see Tomac's website). Your truck probably weighs less than you think, somewhere around 6400. My truck with the Allison and hitches weighs under 6800 set up for pulling. I hang over 1200lbs to run in an 8000lbs class. You want to be as close as possible to the weight limit. Keep the weight as far forward as possible for leverage.
I believe 6speeds have a power limiter in low. Not 100% sure on this, but do a search or ask around. Most guys I know that pull with ZFs use high. You may have a problem starting the sled with a stock clutch as you will need to slip it pretty hard off the line to keep from hopping. Once you get it going good and smooth lay her to the wood and have fun. Good luck.

John

My trcuk scales in w/ a full tank of diesel @ 7880 lbs. One thing I have noticed at our local pulls is that the fellas with stix that try and shift once it gets movin don't do well. I would try starting off in 4lo and 3rd. If it don't feel right then let out of it, most tracks have a 100ft marker and as long as you don't pass that you can try again. You could then try 4lo 2nd. Once you get it moving and get some momentum get on it and stay there. I learned that one the hard way on my first pull. I didn't get enough throttle and never got enough wheel speed to make a good showing. And just remember there is always next time.

Thanks a ton guys, unfortunately I'm not going to be able to go this weekend. Buying a new house and it's the only day the inspector can be there. I appreciate all the help and intend on giving it a shot in the future as soon as there's another local pull.

where do you live cheesehead?

Currently Neenah,but the house I just bought is in Oshkosh. I have been pretty much all over WI in the past 10 years. Grew up in Wild Rose and spent the last 2 years in Crivitz,WI. Nice to see another cheesehead with a 6spd, I don't think there's too many of us here.

Oh there is one more one here he'll say hi. Anyways there is a truck pull in Dorchester WI 8000lbs diesel class on the 24 of sept so if you not doing anything you could pull there if you want.

I'd love to but I am the race announcer for the Great Lakes Quad Racing Series, www.greatlakesquadseries.com , and that keeps me busy on most weekends. If you know of anything late fall (after the 1st weekend of Oct.) let me know and I'll try to be there. Most of the diesel pullers I know from central WI will travel up to a few hours to pull so let me know of any pulls you may attend.

I think dorchester is pretty much it for this year but i will let you know if there is any more

You shouldn't have any problem taking off in 3rd in 4-low. I do it all the time. If its a stock truck I dunno if you'll have enough power. :ro)

I always pull in 3rd low. Even stock 3rd low worked great. Hold it to 2700 or so and just let the clutch out fast and hold on! Still use 3rd low wih the small stack i run and it works great.

I always pull in 3rd low. Even stock 3rd low worked great. Hold it to 2700 or so and just let the clutch out fast and hold on! Still use 3rd low wih the small stack i run and it works great.

2700, wow that seams like alot. I guess not. I only go up to 2000 on mine but I've smoked the clutch by accident before cause 6.0L's have absoulutly no low end like a 7.3L . Do you just slide your foot of the pedal as soon as you feel it engage? I found this works best with a stock clutch. How does the low end torque of a LB7 or LLY with a ZF6 compare to a 6.0L?:ro)

I dont see how you could do any good in 4lo because of the defuel. Unless only mine does it but I have no power in 4lo the computer really cuts it.

Nope, ford dont' do that, must be a LB7 or LLY thing