Where to locate weight? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Pyrotechnic · 02-13-2012, 08:45 PM

As far as drag racing goes, where is the best place to move heavy things? Just before the rear axle or just behind it?

What about counteracting the torque that plants the drivers side tire and lifts the passenger? Do you move weight towards the driver or passenger side?

The truck is a 77 GMC long bed. The suspension will be leaf springs with cal trac bars.

My orginal plan - on the left of the pic

Gas tank - I had planned to weld a sump to the rear of the saddle tank on the drivers side (having a passenger tank is a bit annoying at a busy gas station). The truck would also have the passenger side tank in the event of a long trip.A small pump would move the fuel from it to the drivers side.

Spare tire - stays in the stock location

Battery and jack - It's a long bed, so there's extra room in the rear part of the bed where I can get the battery tucked up just in front of the spare tire. There's also room for a small hydraulic jack under the bed floor as well. I'm tired of having it flying around behind the seat.

My new idea - on the right

Gas tank - Both saddle tanks are ditched in favor of a 16 gallon fuel cell in place of the spare tire. The truck doesn't get driven as much as it used to so this capacity is fine. I could even bolt a saddle tank back in for extended range on a long trip if needed.

Spare tire - it would get mounted just above the fuel cell in the bed on hinging mount, so it could be flipped up to allow access to the fuel filler. The mount would also allow the tire to be quickly removed and secured in the upright position in the front left corner of the bed for when I need to haul stuff. Best of all, it will much easier to get at than the stock under bed mount.

Battery and Jack - same place as before

On the street, this arrangement should help get more weight over the rear for rainy weather. At the track, this allows the spare to be easily removed for weight savings and moves the weight of the gas tank back as well.

What do you guys think? Am I on the right track here moving stuff behind the axle? What about placing the battery and jack on the passenger side?

02-13-2012, 08:45 PM	#1
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Where to locate weight? As far as drag racing goes, where is the best place to move heavy things? Just before the rear axle or just behind it? What about counteracting the torque that plants the drivers side tire and lifts the passenger? Do you move weight towards the driver or passenger side? The truck is a 77 GMC long bed. The suspension will be leaf springs with cal trac bars. My orginal plan - on the left of the pic Gas tank - I had planned to weld a sump to the rear of the saddle tank on the drivers side (having a passenger tank is a bit annoying at a busy gas station). The truck would also have the passenger side tank in the event of a long trip.A small pump would move the fuel from it to the drivers side. Spare tire - stays in the stock location Battery and jack - It's a long bed, so there's extra room in the rear part of the bed where I can get the battery tucked up just in front of the spare tire. There's also room for a small hydraulic jack under the bed floor as well. I'm tired of having it flying around behind the seat. My new idea - on the right Gas tank - Both saddle tanks are ditched in favor of a 16 gallon fuel cell in place of the spare tire. The truck doesn't get driven as much as it used to so this capacity is fine. I could even bolt a saddle tank back in for extended range on a long trip if needed. Spare tire - it would get mounted just above the fuel cell in the bed on hinging mount, so it could be flipped up to allow access to the fuel filler. The mount would also allow the tire to be quickly removed and secured in the upright position in the front left corner of the bed for when I need to haul stuff. Best of all, it will much easier to get at than the stock under bed mount. Battery and Jack - same place as before On the street, this arrangement should help get more weight over the rear for rainy weather. At the track, this allows the spare to be easily removed for weight savings and moves the weight of the gas tank back as well. What do you guys think? Am I on the right track here moving stuff behind the axle? What about placing the battery and jack on the passenger side? Attached Images __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.