Street Truck "HOOK UP" Tricks?

[one mile]

O.K. I know this is hard to belive but I can't get this truck to hook up at all!
Seriously, I do need input on this. I have plenty of tire on this truck,gastank in the rear, batt. at the rear bumper,(under the bed) pinion angle set as best as I could from Info I got on this Forum, 3.08 gear and a Posi-unit and last, new shocks (50/50). Driving around the shop It will blow away the tires at the least effort! I honestly am at a loss as what to do.......

[72BLUZ]

by hook up do you mean smoke the tires?

[heavy71chevy]

well a set of traction bars would help or if your looking for the best solution id install front and rear sway bars like the ECE super track bar..that prolly help alot weith getting it to hook

[72LSXC10]

I would say it has alot to do with a few things tire brand and tire size being the main. What brand and size are you running?

[eightbanger]

I'm not getting "Hook Up" either

[jrdv]

Not getting "hooked up" means he can't get traction--the tires just spin.

Traction bars and drag slicks.

Or you could just trade me motors and you won't have a problem!

[eightbanger]

Now I get it...sounds like a power to weight ratio thing which is what im sure is happening to mine. I have to drive like a saint in wet conditions as the rear end just lets go if I give it any Gas at all, it happened once and I ended up sideways across two lanes...never again.

Edit...it's better in the dry but still lets go far to easy, don't get me wrong im not complaning just doesn't feel that safe.

[one mile]

Yes, I understand Eightbanger! Now another "Old Term" or "Saying" comes to my mind that I use to say......"STAB IT AND STEER IT"! or aggressivley apply the gas and counter steer accordingly.(HA HA)

[one mile]

Sorry Folks, It is an antique term that my friends and I used in the "Old Days" of when your car "Launched Hard off the Line" you were "Hooked up" which also ment to us that your tires were not spinning much and were "Hooking to the Track".......Does that help? I really am lost on this one because I have re-enforsed the Trailing Arms with a CPP Kit and added poly Bushings along with a Cpp Adj.Track Bar and 6 cyl rear coil springs to help with weight transfer. As for tires I have soft compound Nitto's (don't remember the exact size) around 30 inches rolling height Almost forgot...jrdv you know there is never too much power.

[piecesparts]

You say you have plenty of tire, (What size and what tread design? How tall are the tires and how wide is the tread? What compound is in the tires? To hard of a tire compound will allow a lot of tire spin) You stated a 3.08 geared rear end and a Posi-unit. Are you truly getting both tires to spin or is the posi doing you wrong? Is this a long bed truck? The longer the truck the less the weight transfer to the rear due to just plain ergonomics of the length. Have you considered any other weight added to the rear---sand for instance.

Just what are you using for an engine and tranny? Big block horsepower is hard to hold down.

So to "Hook-Up", I suggest Laying down some scratch and making sure that the machine has all of the right components to be successful. I little chirp on shifting is great, but true smokin is useless when you want to lay out some good 1/4 times.

[Old Yeller 1970]

Check out this thread. Super73 knows what he's talking about.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=326863

[Camper Power]

can i just ask you what engine your running and what was put into it

[one mile]

Well PIECESPARTS I have been laying scratch so much it looks like I'm getting ready to bleed! I thought I had all the right parts in all the right places but was wrong. This is my first truck and I found out the hard way the same rules don't work with trucks as with cars. BUT THERE IS HOPE! It seems that my new found friend OLD YELLER 1970 has "HOOKED ME UP" with a thread by SUPER 73. He seems to have done his homework! I do think there is hope for me and my project yet! Now where did I put those scales........yes ,the type you weigh out your car with. (if I need to I will explain later) T

[jablack]

I don't think nitto's are good for vehicles with power. I had a set on my camaro and it would never hook. went to another brand and problem solved.

[Longhorn Man]

There's only so much you can do on street tires... I say try to learn how to launch without spinning. If you are just stabbing the throttle to the floor like you would in a commuter car will never work on anything with a lotta power.

[72LSXC10]

Also what converter are you running, what rpm range is it and what rpm are you launching at? plus tire pressure and are you heating up your tires or just trying to launch on cold tires?

[one mile]

CAMPER POWER what I have in it is ......454 cu.in. - .060 overbore - 850 dual line holley w/ vac.sec. - RPM AIRGAP intake - D.U.I. Distributor and wires - ovalport heads w/ multi angle valve job and "Bowl Work" - Comp Cams "Dual Energy" cam and kit ( it is after all a street Truck )- 10:1 (approx.) - Total Seal rings - good rods and bolts - balanced - good oil pump and windage tray - headers - 2.5 exhaust - X pipe - big flowmasters - 3 inch chrome tips - 1800rpm stall - 400 turbo w/street/strip kit - 3:08 posi . I still think I will look at SUPER 73,s paperwork before my next move. By the way the truck sounds Fantastic!

[Prostreet 72]

It's just the drag radial tire. I have a 64 Plymouth Fury with BF Goodrich Drag Radials, and it has the same issues. Spins the tires the whole way. Actually melts them.

My truck is probably not comparable for you, but I am running 31 x 18.5 ET Street tires. It'll hook up in a mud puddle! I have 10 to 12 feet of tire rotation, then it's hooked up. The truck is set up with the following parts:

468ci making 690hp
Dana 60 rear with 35 spline strange axles
4.88 gear with a strange spool
Pro-series Ladderbars
Coil over adjustable shocks

If I can make this thing hook up with these tires, maybe you might want to give them a try. They are DOT approved for the street. I have never had a problem. Lots of looks by the police, but no problems.

Chris

[68Stepbed]

Here's another saying that came around with newer vehicles getting electronic Traction Control options.
Traction control is all in your right foot.

Traction devices are great, and help alot, but learning to feather the throttle on take off instead of just flooring the pedal goes a long way.

[Elephanthead]

As noted transfer as much weight to the rear you can, and bigger sticker tires until your happy.

[one mile]

Thanks PROSTREET 72 I'll put those tires on my list to try.

[Prostreet 72]

Originally Posted by one mile

Thanks PROSTREET 72 I'll put those tires on my list to try.

The nice thing about them is, if I want more tire spin, say to get the engine into a particular RPM band, I just raise the air presure. A word of caution though, they will find any weak links in your drivetrain. When you start loading that chassis, it has to be ready for it. Big u-joints, strong axles and a nice drive shaft. Make sure you put a safety loop on the driveshaft incase it decides to vacate the premissis.

I don't mean to scare you, but this is what happens. So when you go out, run them a bit harder the first time and see how the truck acts. If you want more hook, let some air out and hang on. Have fun!

Chris

[one mile]

Note well taken...Rather Safe than Sorry!

[DavidB]

I'm in Taylors SC too and also have traction issues. I have had good luck with Mickey Thompson street tires on other cars.