How do you guys keep traction?
 

I'm just wondering how everyone here weighs down their bed or rear end. I'm curious as to a way that does not look completely like trailer trash, like tires and a bunch of heavy junk in the bed. I would really like to see what type of power my truck has but I can't get any traction what-so-ever! The tires are pretty bald and i have 3.07 rear end. Stomped it the other day from a stop and burned rubber for 150ft. I have a posi and 3.73 waiting to be installed (ran out of funds). I would just like to get some weight back there to see what she has from the start! So, how do you make it "bite"?

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Hauling stuff in your bed makes you trailer trash?Try a pair of tires that aren`t bald.The 3.08s will hookup better than 3.73s.Definitely run a posi.

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Seriously? Guess my little six-banger just isn't up to the task then...although I haven't tried it after overhauling the carb......:devil:

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Sorry, no offense man. That's not how I meant it, I'm talking people with trash piled high in their beds, not people who haul stuff. I don't want to run around town permanently with a set of rims and tires, concrete blocks and wood stacked in my bed to keep the tires on the pavement is all... that's all I have to put in their until I can figure out another way.

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

My bed is very light, I was thinking that when I install the posi and gears and new tires, it still won't bite due to there not being much weight back there. I heard of some shocks that transfer weight to the rear end when stomped but I'm thinking those will be big money.

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

well just to add to this thread, I have 3.07's and no posi... and it is like a stoners dream if i get on it.... so i would say start with the posi & go from thier!!!

But with a posi 3.73 I think you are not going to get to much better... maybe with the right tires... truly if you are smoking a bald single tire on 3.08's, you need to go with posi 3.73 with fat stickies to make the traction you are looking for.

but with a strong motor, you will have trouble getting traction in these trucks no matter what you do, unless you wait down the back..... My Dad, back in the day had 6-5 Gallon buckets filled with water/sand in his shortbed to aid with traction.... but it was TRULY REDNECK, but again it worked like a charm & his burn-out went from 180ft - to 80ft and some get up and go was the result!


good luck in your search for traction...... with a stout motor... its hard to come by in these trucks.... it all plays out to be throttle control...

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Actually, sand bags might not be such a bad idea. But I would have to have a bunch of them. Hurricane season is coming so the bags will be plentiful next hurricane or tropical storm. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

http://www.shurtrax.com/ Just found this, kinda tacky but gives me something to go on...

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

My gas tank is back there and when full that's like 170 extra pounds on the rear Axel

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

My tank is still behind the seat, maybe in the future I will relocate it. I think I'm going to try the sand, or dirt right above the axle. Thanks fellas and take it easy, it's bed time for this guy.

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Suspension and tires. Summit Racing used to sell a pad you put in the bed and fill with water. Never tried it out but I'm sure it would help. Your best bet would be a decent set of tires and posi.

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Check out djracer's vid. stock suspension with 10.5 in tires! Nice!

http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.flv

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

I too have the fuel tank under the bed, so I'm sure that helps.

I have good BFG tires on my truck. I've found that if I feather the throttle for the first second or so, just so the truck starts to move, THEN nail the pedal to the floor, she'll really take off, and I'll even get a little bit of a 2nd gear scratch :D

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Get a K20 Suburban! ;)

4.57 gears, SM465 trans, T-221 Transfer case, and 33x12.50 BFG's.

If you could hook a chain to the Titanic, I think I could pull that rust bucket up from the bottom of the ocean with out losing traction. :lol:

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Mine's scary on wet roads, that's when I drive like an 85 year old woman on her way to church.:lol: I was considering having metal blocks welded along both sides of both frame rails to add the weight, but what puts me off doing anything permanent is the extra fuel consumtion due to the added weight....Catch 22!

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Taller gears resist tire spin more than lower.Also,try taller tires.

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

I think the only way to maybe have some kind of traction you need a good pair of street slicks with a posi unti. My truck is all over the road at any speed under 45 mph.

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

This...

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Another problem I have is my truck sits on bags. So when I raise and lower, of course the rear end moves. I have a new panhard bar coming in and I'm going to adjust for ride height. What I fear is that with wide tires, when I slam it they will hit the fender or bed. Wish I had money for a watts....

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

TRAILING ARM SUSPENSION + GOOD SET OF MEATY TIRES WILL DO THE TRICK. IT'S BASICALLY THE SAME SUSPENSION THAT NASCAR USES TODAY. AS FAR AS A SLAMMED TRUCK.... I REALLY DON'T KNOW. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOUR ADDING TO THE EQUASION?? :lol: JOHN

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Tires are good. Gears are good. On my truck they both needed a little help so I put four recessed padeyes in the bed so I could clip this to them. 400 pounds of water right over the rear axle! Or 200, or 100. all depends on how much you put in the bag. www.shurtrax.com

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

I have the same problem with traction. I am running 3.08 and a posi unit. I might go to a 3.73 set up but was going to look at some softer than stock springs. I have been looking at a compression rate of around 100lbs or slightly less. I think this will help load the axle upon launching from a stop. I am then going to look at weight placement and distribution.

Re: How do you guys keep traction?
 

Throw a couple engine blocks back there, works with our plow truck.

Actually though I've seen guys pull the box off and actually a weld 1/2" steel plate to the top of the frame rails then reinstall the box, adds like 400Lbs above the rear axle.