Advice for new guy getting started

[e vassar]

My advice is simple... Build or buy the fastest possible car or truck you can afford..or not afford.
Years ago I bracket raced almost every weekend with a friend that also raced a 65 Impala in stock. I wanted to jump into stock eliminator bad...but didn't have much 🤑 money. I told him I found a 80 something charger 2.2 turbo 4 cyl. It would go way under came with tons of spare parts and was CHEAP...he said don't do it... have you ever seen one of those really slow cars win the eliminator?...well no. A gust of wind at the 1000ft will kill it! Of course you can tow it all over the country to races that have class eliminations and win a bunch of little Wally's.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by e vassar

.he said don't do it... have you ever seen one of those really slow cars win the eliminator?....

Hmmmm....

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by doglover44

Never seen a Jeep in Stock before

Who was the Fel Pro guy that raced one? Really nice guy, I forgot his name.

[5.9magnumjeep]

So looked at the dime rocket thread… funny enough someone did mention the 98 Jeep with the 5.9. I got under it earlier today to take a look at the bushings in the rear suspension (not for too long though, pouring down rain). Probably going to order a poly bushing kit from energy suspension to tighten things up a bit. However, the rear suspension looks like it’s got some great potential. I need to plot everything out and see if it’s got squat or anti squat.

I’m leaning towards the Jeep for now. It would be a good truck to get my feet wet in racing. Motor runs strong, transmission on a fresh rebuild. Main concern is getting an SFI rated damper, roll bar, 5 point harness, and whether or not the diffs need c clip eliminators (I keep reading mixed info on the Dana 44 aluminum retainer type some say no c clip and others say the aluminum housing has c clips). I also need to take a look at the clutch packs for the limited slip. Oh yeah and a driveline hoop.

The ranger will take a lot of work. Motor and trans need a rebuild, they are both tired. Rear end is tiny and prone to breaking on anymore than stock torque. New leaf springs, track bars, shocks, etc.

The jeep is more of a get in and go as opposed to the ranger.

[Mike Jones]

Good luck with your project. You didn`t mention trailer, tow vehicle etc. If you are going to race NHRA Divsionals, you should plan to be there Friday morning. Stockers are called out for qualifying first, (in D1 anyway) 8:30-9:00a am. If you have to take time off from work on Friday, the cost of a hotel for two nights, fuel to travel, fuel to race and the generous NHRA entry fee, you will be looking at $600-800 or so. You can show up EARLY on Saturday and sleep in the truck, but missing two time shots could make dialing tricky. Of course, either way, you will have to deal with the sharks who have been racing their combos for decades. Losing first round gets old quick. Making laps at a local track`s bracket program will get you seat time and help you make informed decisions.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by 5.9magnumjeep

So looked at the dime rocket thread… funny enough someone did mention the 98 Jeep with the 5.9.

The jeep is more of a get in and go as opposed to the ranger.

IF you think for one minute that your Jeep "is more of a get in and go" deal, let me save you the time and trouble, don't even start.

IF you want to do this deal then make your Jeep a Limited (NHRA doesn't care about the interior, only the badges and outside trim) and run N. No rollbar, harness, damper, jacket.

IF you want to listen to Mr. e vassar, don't do the Jeep.
There's still a few of us out here who have done OK with underpowered non-aerodynamic combos but you DO have to pay attention to the weather and wind.

IF you really want something that you can "get your feet wet" in and save about $2,500 of your $4,000 budget for your next victim, look at my thread in the ClassRacer Builds section "Not Fer Nuthin' But Close". It's inexpensive (I didn't say cheap!), cars, parts and support are readily available and it's not a bad little car to drive (in spite of what Mr. e vassar might think). And OBTW, I Bracket Race the car at my local track, it doesn't care if you call it an NHRA Stocker or a Bracket car.

[Rsmith38]

Originally Posted by Bobby DiDomenico

Who was the Fel Pro guy that raced one? Really nice guy, I forgot his name.

His name is Greg West. I understand that truck is somewhere in Wisconson running brackets seen on Youtube.

[1347]

Not sure about the " get in and go" statement. most stock vehicles aren't capable of running the index. That's why Billy has a gift or searching thru the guide looking for HP factors that allow some cars to do that. What is the index for the class that Jeep will run?

[Greg Hill]

Originally Posted by 5.9magnumjeep

Right now about 4K, but can add more as paychecks come in.

I got a lot of replying to do, but my goal for this weekend is to create a list of what needs to be done on each to be ready to even get on the track. I’m sure this will factor into decision making for me.

4K is not going to get you very far. Might get you started, but it will take more time and more money than you can even imagine. If you’re patient you can get it done over 2 or 3nyears.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Greg Hill

4K is not going to get you very far. Might get you started, but it will take more time and more money than you can even imagine. If you’re patient you can get it done over 2 or 3nyears.

Now, THERE'S a pep talk for ya!

This is why Stocker projects don't get finished!