I'm fairly new to the truck scene. Lightning is my first truck. I'm looking at a cheap way to get more traction. Wondering if anyone has taken off their spare tire and relocated it in the bed above the driveshaft/axles, or have kept on the spare and added weight around that area? Would relocating weight above the axles provide much more traction off the line? Got a little scared today. Had an off the line race with a suped up Integra. Forgot to disengage the O/D which was my first mistake. But I was spinning like mad, and he was leaving me behind. Only for like a second or two. But still. He's probably bragging it up pretty good that he had me for like 2 seconds. Any thoughts would be MUCH appreciated. Thanx all.

 

You need to learn how to launch one of these trucks if you do it right you will win most of the time and there is very little spinning of the tires. You just cant punch the gas and go on these trucks!! You can also buy you a set of nitto 555r drag radials that helps also composite leaf springs help, traction bars you name it a lot will help. Well there is my .02 cents worth good luck with your traction problems!!

 

2" drop shackles seem to help a little.

 

Hey Zeus Lightning, if your interested in transfering the torque
to the wheels instead of to the springs and frame. call Mike
Troyer at 540-862-9515 and discuss the use, and purchase of one of the
pinion snubbers he is currently selling. Part numer
SN-7950-01. It is reasonably priced help for traction.

Marc

 

There is no reason to disengage your O/D before street racing. The only reason people do it at the strip is so the truck does not slam into O/D at the top end.

--Joe

 

Marc,

Do you have, or know anyone that does, a picture of the snubber?

I'm thinking this is a better option for an occasional street racer than the full on traction bars.
What might be the price range, is it easy to install? Sorry, so many questions, I know I should call Mike, it is just hat I am not ready to purchase yet and don't want to bother him.

 

Diddo. And thanx to all for their input thus far guys. I'll have to look into all of those products that you all mentioned. Don't have a fi****ll of cash on me right now. But again, in the meantime, will it help me any to take the spare off and temporarily hold in the bed above the axles, or even some other additional weight? Thx.

 

Just practice practice practice.........

Sometimes I just go down a backroad and keep trying to launch as hard as the F1's can handle it.

How does that old saying go.........."Practice makes perfect"

--Joe

 

Composite springs would ruin any load-capactity of your truck...if you carry or tow, you don't want composite leafs.

I also hear that 2" shackles actually do not help the weight transfer, but make it a little harder to launch as well.

Best bets are traction bars, good set of tires and practicing how to launch...

Daniel

 

I don't think relocating the spare or adding weight is practicle. In fact, I removed the spare, hitch, and jack just to get the truck lighter--and mine is a daily driver. At the track, I remove the tail gate too.

Everyone is telling you to "practise" and that is key. You can't just stomp on it because you will blow the F1s up in smoke . Yes, we know you want 'weight' over the wheels/axle to help you hook up but wouldn't it be better(and 'free') to learn how your truck reacts to launching and then perfect it. You can disconnect or remove the front anti-sway bar to help with weight transfer but then you have to be extra careful in the turns. The 2" shackles that were mentioned only cost about $70, but you will still need to practise.

Dan

 

How much more fishy did the rear get after the first rip that you did with all of that taken off the truck?

I AM in the process of practising my launches. I just suck at it right now. I thought maybe some weight distribution might help a little. Guess not.

Doesn't taking off the O/D add more traction/torque, for a better take off? I always thought it did. It sure helped in my other vehicles. I notice more spin with it on actually.

 

Zeus Lightning, and Fire guy. I can not speak price on this
sight, as I have an agreement with Mike. I did design and
furnish to him the pinion snubber he sells. I did a very long
and abusive test on them before offering them to him to sell,
and anyone that knows Mike knows that he deals in only
premium quality products.
I will say that they are a lot less expensive than the traction
bars that are available,but in no way am I speaking against
traction bars or their use. I have recently installed a set of
Upper drag links on my track that I will use in conjunction
with the snubber that has been on my truck since early
last year.
I guess it is personal preferance on what traction devices we
use, but I personally believe that the pinion snubber alone
will give you better traction results, and stop the axle wrap
up these truck experience, at at lesser out of pocket cost.
I also believe used in conjunction with a set of traction bars
that it will give even better results and reliability.

Marc
Marc

 

You might try a set of Truck-Traks. They are like a 32" long pinion snubber. The leverage that is provided buy the additional length, will provide lift to the front of the truck. This will transfer weight onto the rear tires.

There is no traction device that will hook up the brutal troque that these trucks produce100%.

Click on the website below.

 

Marc Carpenter,

Thanks for the reply, just the info I was looking for. That should help with the occasional wheel hop.

Jay Lincoln,

No offense meant, I will not put truck tracs on my L. I only get on it occasionally on the street, no real racing. I won't put anything on that hangs down and can be seen, just my personal preference.
If I were serious about racing, truck-tracs, JDM bars or upper links would be something I would consider, because when you want faster, looks aren't as important.