blueblazes44
1/2 ton status
Looks like the truck ran good and nothing broke. Kinda hard to stay in the ruts as rough as the pit turned....looks alot like our usual pit. Was that a constistency class? And thanks for the vids!!
vids from sunday.
i hit 3rd gear and skimmed.

Interesting idea on using a brake on just one side in the rear. I guess as long as you can get enough stopping force in it that would be fine, but you are cutting the clamping force in half.
Regarding wheels, it would be worth it to weigh your current steel wheels and compare them to some aluminum. Losing 10 lbs. of rotating mass would probably be the same as losing 100 lbs. in body weight.
I'd really be curious to know if the reduced weight of going to a front 10-bolt would make up for losing the front locker?? Heck, I would even see what the weight difference between the front 8-lug hub and rotors were vs. 6-lug versions.
For the gearing, it depends on how well you can pull 2nd and even 3rd with the current 4.56 gears. Going to 3.42's obviously gives you more wheel speed in 1st, but less than 2nd. Basically meaning if you regularly use 2nd gear than with the different gears you wouldn't have as much as wheelspeed by just staying in 1st and possibly couldn't pull 2nd (which would now be about the same as using 3rd gear).
How high will the motor turn? Where do you typically shift?
No disrespect intended but while the videos sound good it doesn't sound like you're using all the motor. I could be wrong and I'm just armchair quarterbacking.
Do you have a stall converter? How big?
*If it's race only*, put that bitch on a diet! I would seriously consider cutting out all the extra weight and punching holes in whats left. If the interior has any more than a few gauges, a seat and harness get rid of it! If rules require it remain full body consider using a hole saw to trim weight off of it (inside walls of the door shells and bed). Maybe lower the lift - the resulting fender trim is also weight lost without drawing a lot of attention. I love 1 tons like the next guy but 1/2 tons and aluminum rims are savers too.
the rev limiter is set at 6700 rpm. i have the shift light set about 6400rpm. i have been trying to shift sooner as it seems it pulls harder then letting it get reallly close to the limiter then shifting.
no disrepect taken, when my ass dyno feels it quits gaining speed or it hits the limiter i shift. it varies though, because of the mud and traction.
i have a stall convertor, i think it's around 4500, but in low range it gets about cut in half. when starting i also haven't been holding it against the convertor like last year. i'm not sure it i notice a difference that way, letting it build rpm's then letting off the brake.
this truck is 'race only' . no more street time. the lift is perfect for the places we race, it keeps the body and frame out of the mud early on in the day. i just got a 5 point harness and need to install my race seat( i still have a full bench). the cab is all gutted, no dash, all redone with minimal wiring.
after i gut the bed, i need to remove some more rear leaves and try to get some weight transfer and weight off the front axle.
with the 1-tons, i run it as hard as the engine allows, with no fear of smacking a wall and breaking an axle. a couple places have really rough bottomed pits, and i'd rather finish 100% of the time. gotta finish to win.
It's always hard to get good perspective from video for speed and sound (kind of like hill climbs never look as steep as they really are) but they are fun to watch. Have you considered swapping the t-case? The 208 is alot lighter and has taller gearing. Alum radiator, lexan, and change that seat!
Dammit man, you've got all the bases covered so I'm going to quit backseat driving.It's always hard to get good perspective from video for speed and sound (kind of like hill climbs never look as steep as they really are) but they are fun to watch.
Good luck on the diet. Like said, maybe swapping in a lighter 208 (although the th400 tailshaft will be different) along with other mods will help trim some weight.
That's true, a 203 is a boat anchor, definitely the standout in your otherwise bitchin drivetrain. The 208 gearing is actually lower though (higher numerically) in low range, they are the same in high range.
A 205 would be lighter than the 203 with the same gearing and the most strength, but not as light as the 208 obviously, I am sure you know that.