Advice for new guy getting started

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by 5.9magnumjeep

I want to get started in drag racing, with the aim to run stock. I got the NHRA rule book on its way and have taken the time to read through the book online already. I have built motors for rebuilds (nothing fancy just warmed up a bit from stock). I have been spending some time here reading through some interesting threads.

I currently have a stock 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 limited and a 1992 ford ranger standard cab 4 cylinder manual trans. The Jeep I rebuilt the transmission recently and did a transgo shift correction kit. Other than that, both cars are completely stock.

The advice I need is, which of my two vehicles would you choose to start racing with and why?

I can see that with the Jeep (nhra puts this in the m/s class) it has an advantage of having a 360, trailing arms that act like four bar suspension, coil springs on the rear and it’s a limited slip rear axle. Disadvantage is it’s all wheel drive. That is a lot of friction to overcome to put the power to the ground.

With the ranger, running a slow class would be cheaper and allow more room to learn to drive the track. I know that first thing would be having to swap the rear end as the current axle won’t hold up to anything more that the severely tired 2.3 Lima that’s in it right now.

Thanks in advance.

I should add that I have grown up with family members that are hot rodders, so have been around and researched building up decent v8’s. I just haven’t built a nice motor for myself yet.

Ya know, I have to say this just to get it out of the way, an awful lot of Stocker projects that are started with all good intentions never get finished.

My advice?
Do a project that you know you can get done AND afford to get done.
Don't start a project just because you have the car.
If you want to go fast, don't build a lower class car.
If you want to build cheap, don't build a higher class car.
The Jeep is an interesting combo (and a good one) but it won't be cheap OR easy.
The Ranger could be a good combo but it could get expensive in a hurry if you're not a good DIYer.
There are a good many "starter" combos out there that you should be able to get and finish without getting disgusted and/or broke.

[doglover44]

Never seen a Jeep in Stock before

[Tom Goldman]

Originally Posted by doglover44

Never seen a Jeep in Stock before

We have a one here in D1 for many years .
A very competitive Jeep Commanche 2 WD pick up with a 4.0 L six

[oldskool]

I'm not an expert like many of the guys who post here. But here are my opinions, which many here will disagree with.

(1) IF you are not an experienced bracket racer, I HIGHLY recommend that you begin bracket racing ASAP. Unless you run against a vehicle in the same class as you, most every round of Stock Elim is a bracket race.

SO, if you aren't a good bracket racer, you won't be a good Stock Elim racer, especially if your vehicle won't run very far under it's index.

(2) Run an auto trans. It's SO much easier to learn to race & cut good lights, with an auto trans. Also much cheaper to build & maintain than with a manual trans vehicle.

Note: There are still some die hard stick racers out there. I respect that. I started with a stick, in Stock Elim, before there was any bracket racing in my area. Won quite a few local races with it. But when bracket racing took over in my area, we switched over to auto trans, & won lots of bracket races. So, I've raced both, and would not even attempt to run a competitive bracket car or Stocker, with a stick trans. Opinions differ.

Don't know your racing budget. BUT, if it is within your budget, you might consider buying a cheap race-ready bracket car.

OR, IF you can find a slow Stocker, for a reasonable price, you could use it for both Stock & bracket racing. Might check with these guys who have built these "dime rockets" they talk about & see if any of 'em will give you a good deal on one that's ready to race.

Good luck !

[Sean Marconette]

This may give you something to think about. Ellis gives out a lot of good information regarding his 91 Ranger.



Sean

[Greg Hill]

The biggest thing is,” what’s your budget”?

[5.9magnumjeep]

Originally Posted by Greg Hill

The biggest thing is,” what’s your budget”?

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.

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Tom Goldman

We have a one here in D1 for many years .
A very competitive Jeep Commanche 2 WD pick up with a 4.0 L six

Sure enough, nice looking truck and actually a reasonable price for being able to go far under the index plus all the spares. Note: Class racing is not for the faint of heart or thin of wallet, with some notable exceptions like Billy, Mark and a few others. Also, vehicles with a large frontal area can be challenging to dial.

https://www.racingjunk.com/stock-sup...=2&from=search

[Frank Castros]

If you know someone in your location that races in Stock Eliminator ask if you can help them with the car and also go to as many races as possible and listen and learn before you spend the time and money on your own project.

[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.