I had my first pull of the year on saturday, and i was happy with the results (268 ft)given the fact that the track was crappy and my budget isn't as big as my competion. My only real disappointment was my wheel speed. 4 lo 3rd gear and it wasn't taching that high, maybe 3600rpm. I feel as though I probably should've downshifted into 2nd. Eventually I want to upgrade to the +2 et eliminator. Would this be a good move for pulling? Getting off topic I Hate Cheaters and my association has too many of them. Nos,propane, and water are cool but you should'nt have to rip your truck up to hide them.:rant:

I had my first pull of the year on saturday, and i was happy with the results (268 ft)given the fact that the track was crappy and my budget isn't as big as my competion. My only real disappointment was my wheel speed. 4 lo 3rd gear and it wasn't taching that high, maybe 3600rpm. I feel as though I probably should've downshifted into 2nd. Eventually I want to upgrade to the +2 et eliminator. Would this be a good move for pulling? Getting off topic I Hate Cheaters and my association has too many of them. Nos,propane, and water are cool but you should'nt have to rip your truck up to hide them.:rant:Well maybe a midwest pro will chime in but,I would think you would want to get rid of some traction??Maybe more air pressure or less aggressive tires?(or more power via, nos,propane,water:lol: )
I know you have more expierience pulling than I do but,that would be the first thing I would try???Good luck!

3600 RPM isn't too low. remember the dmax motor in stock form doesn't make all of its power at 3600.

No, downshifting to 2nd would be a real bad move IMO. The difference in those gears is 22% (1.41 in 3rd, to 1.81 in 2nd). At 3500 rpm that would represent a drop from about 23 mph to 18 mph. That's too slow if you have the power to run 23 mph. Dodges will kill you with wheel speed in this range.

3600 rpm is above the sweet spot, but your goal should be to spin it hard when the sled is still rolling along so that you have momentum when the box stops and they drop the pan on you. The rpms will then drop through the sweet spot.

I would actually suggest going to a larger tire. The thing you're looking for is to pick up as much ground speed as you can after you're rolling along in 2nd gear.

The only place where too much power can kill you is right at the line. I learned the hard way that the steep 1st gear ratio (3.10) can let the engine come on real hard and blow the tires loose. If you do, just have the plan ready in your head to wave off and start over before you hit 75 or 100 feet (whichever your rules state).

The last two pulls I did zero brake stand and just smoothly rolled it to the floor in about a second and held it there. I follow the "Tomac Method" of sticking it in 2 at the line and then manually upshifting to 3rd at >3800 rpm.

If you're thinking your ground speed was too slow, are you convinced it actually shifted into 3rd? That would be one possible exlanation.

It totally shifted to 3rd cuz first to second was real quick then it nailed third. Not a lot of spinning I hooked up good. 50 lbs of air in the rear and 25 up front. The real ball kicker is that they lowered our hitch height from 24 down to 20 and I didn't have my azz end jacked up as high. For the next pull I'm gonna have the rear way up there and flip my hitch upside down. But do you guys think it will be worth my while to upgrade my ppe??