DodgeFather

Hello ! I have an 86 D150 2wd. 360 automatic. I plan on warming up the 360 a bit & the trans has a fresh TCI manual shift kit that shift crazy hard(maybe to hard ?).
I pulled the rear cover off the rear end to change oil & inspect the gears. I noticed the oil was dark purple/blue ? & checked for ratio stamping & found a "391", i do believe the gears have been changed possibly the same time the trans was done ? Previous owner has changed cell # so can't verify for sure but i don't think 391 was offered in this truck but i could be very wrong. I'm having horrible traction problems even when im on a slow roll & nail it. I don't want to go all pro suspension just for what I'm going to be building so i was wondering if there is a old "slapper" style traction bar for Dodge trucks ? I see them for cheby & Ford. Any tips would be very much appreciated:

Iowan

Back in the 80s I had a 77 short box with a 360 and 410 gears. Traction was a problem but what worked the best was moving the spring hangers up on the frame and leveling out the truck.

A good set of tires and 100lbs of weight in the box helped too, I also clamped the front half of the leaf springs and cut the straps off the rear.

Good luck, that's all I've got.

DodgeFather

Thanks, every tip helps. Didn't think traction would be a issue because of the basic weight of the truck but it sure does.

RacerHog

Bolt in 2 parking stops in the far rear of the bed....

DodgeFather

RacerHog, what are parking stops ?

TVLynn

I'm assuming he is referring to the cement parking stops that you find in parking lots

DodgeFather

Yeah, i feel like a dumbazz Lol. Thought about those cement air dam killers after i asked the question.

RacerHog

Yep... Those are the ones.....
Don't laugh... It works....


Also a good Wide Street Drag Radial might give it some better bite. But I'm not sure how much tire fits under those trucks?

DodgeFather

I bet it does work, that's a lot of weight ! Just means i have to add a few more pony's to pull it. Im really liking what i see with the 408. Any pro's or con's ?

DodgeFather

I have 255/60/16 rears

RacerHog

408's make some good Pony's... I like them.. Would go great with that trans you have at the moment, I think....

RacerHog

Food For thought....
http://www.summitracing.com/search/P...ize/255-50-16/

DodgeFather

That's what i was hoping you would say are the 391 gears a keeper ?

Iowan

Yes, ....and tire smoke big time!

Get a limited slip now! ......Or smoke em! And be happy.

DodgeFather

She lights up both tires pretty good now so i can only guess what a 408 will provide.

RacerHog

Oh ya... 3.91 will be a good gear...But I'm with Iowan... Going to need a Sure Grip for sure..
Oh and a couple Parking Stops bolted in the bed....