RE: RE: bed weights

From: Andy Callahan (quasideedle@uky.campus.mci.net)
Date: Sun Dec 07 1997 - 23:09:55 EST


At 09:32 PM 12/7/97 -0500, you wrote:
>I understand your point of view. When I said "even" ratio, I meant
>weighing the truck evenly according to factory ratio. Sorry if I confused
>anyone. In the winter, steering and braking ability are more important
>than going. Now in the case of rear ABS, that causes a big imbalance in
>performance. Instead of fish-tailing during braking on slippery surfaces,
>you now plow straight. Adding weight behind the axle will increase
>traction and braking in the rear end but will help the front brakes to lock
>up sooner and loose steering faster. Guess all the carmakers should have
>put ABS on all four corners as standard. Except of course the T-Rex. It
>should get ABS on all six. ;-)
>
>Smitty
>

Well, it finally got warm enough today for me to get my bed cover open
without ripping out the seal. So, I moved my weights up so that that are
just in front of the rear axle. I also added one more concrete block (total
of 4 now). I can already see a difference in the steering. You guys were
right. Before, the truck would tend to drift to the side when accelerating
from a stop in a straight line, I assume as a result of the combination of
lift from weight and the accleration which removed considerable weight from
the front. Now the truck stays straight and I don't think the rear traction
has been compromised at all. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Andy
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
  Andy Callahan University of Kentucky quasideedle@uky.campus.mci.net
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
  '97, black/mist gray, 4x2, Sport, club cab, 3.55 SG, 5-speed, Tire &
         Handling Package, all the little goodies
  Mods: Firestone Firehawk SS10 275/60/15's, GT Classic steel tonneau
         cover by Gemtop, FABM, CC bed mat, CC front end cover
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=



This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:08:01 EDT