Ute's as Drag cars

[highfaultcurrent]

Just reading thru all these interesting posts and have a question.

can a ute make a decent drag car?
They are heavyer usually than sedans,
no weight over the rear, traction issues,
aerodynamically shit, although I have seen some interesting things regarding tailgates and aerodynamics

yet you do see some tough, xw - xf utes running at the drags.
opinions on this?

[fpvgtking]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rtytwDCOko

[AaronEF8]

how can a ute be heavier than a sedan yet have no weight over the back wheels?

[SnipeZ]

My guess would be reinforcing for weight load. But I dunno

[Dansedgli]

Magic.

I reckon the no weight over the back wheels is a misconception.

Ute leafs are made with load carrying in mind so if it's empty it doesnt grip because there isn't enough weight over the back wheels, not no weight at all.

Softer springs will fix.

[EFFalcon]

I think from AU onwards, or maybe BA onwards the utes were heavier then the sedans
I'd imagine AU since the rear end hasnt exactly changed between the 2.

but as dan said, with the right springs/shock combo, the weight transfer still applies.

[justa6]

Think Dan hit it on the head. Ute's hook up fine when they have 1 tonne in the back, without that weight you need suspension and tires to suit.

With slick's, I could leave the line full noise with zero wheel spin.

Ute's generally are heavier them sedan's.

[AaronEF8]

What they said.
AU utes are heavier too, plus all the extra weight is in the rear, due to the proper half chassis they have.
A BA turbo ute with the tray taken off would make a decent drag car I reckon. The limiting factor in rear tyre width would be the chassis rails, which you could change, and install a 4 link.

[highfaultcurrent]

so really the whole weight transfer applies even more so with utes for racing in mind, to get them to hook up.
I never have been able to figure out why they are heavier but generally they age.
Are xw - pre au utes generally used in drags due to the avaibility and say the old school knowlede, more so than newer models.

[fpvgtking]

will have to depend on how much power ur running aswell. things like a ute wont have torsional strength compared to the sedan so too much power will get more twisting in the body

[justa6]

Sedan's always seem to transfer weight and squat in the rear better, can't see why you can't get a ute to do that though.

As for old vs new, I don't think it matters, they'll are leaf sprung jigger's, would just depend on what engine combo you want I guess. Or if you want something old and fucked or half decent

[highfaultcurrent]

Im not planning on building a drag ute, but I just have always wondered and thought It would be good to hear peoples opinion

[SLOSIX]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD17hixX ... r_embedded
My Neighbors Ute. Please Note : Naturally Aspirated.

[justa6]

interesting. see how little weight transfer there is. boggod in the rear but didn't lift the front at all. then you watch higgins just under it. heaps smaller tyre under it but a fair bit quicker, and has heaps more weight transfer, actually lifts a front.

[bentls]

low_xr works down the road to c&a knows all about that ute haha they used to burn up n down the road in it

[highfaultcurrent]

4 link into say a xd - xg ute, would be the way to go, alot of utes seem to be xf based.

[SLOSIX]

low_xr works down the road to c&a knows all about that ute haha they used to burn up n down the road in it

Haha not surprising. They are a mad bunch. His brother owns a ten second cv8

[misk]

i know its not the best choice, but how do panelvans fair going down the strip?
ive searched and looked and can't find any quick falcon vans.
would be interesting to know what the van is.

[bentls]

aerodynamics of a bongo van, more weight than a ute, id immagine pretty shit.
unless its over 200rwkw i wouldnt even bother taking it to the drags as it would be be about as exciting as sneezing

[misk]

Well I was hoping a gt42 strapped to a built engine and powerglide would handle more than 200rwkw lol
I'm hoping for over 400rwkw

[misk]

Well I was hoping a gt42 strapped to a built engine and powerglide would handle more than 200rwkw lol
I'm hoping for over 400rwkw

[misk]

Well I was hoping a gt42 strapped to a built engine and powerglide would handle more than 200rwkw lol
I'm hoping for over 400rwkw

[bentls]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmgxKAHzVIw

[misk]

Haha that things off its tits.
There's a few quick holdens but I haven't seen any quick falcons around

[Ef_frmnt]