Maritime Drag Racing has us all talking

[Rick W]

Wonder if there would be any benefit to putting limit straps on the rear to keep it from climbing so much on the launch

And see, I suggested a few ribbons from the fabric store, and then inspired you to think of straps around the back axle

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

And see, I suggested a few ribbons from the fabric store, and then inspired you to think of straps around the back axle

Eh, not exactly. I was watching some of the off-road recovery stuff and some of those guys use limit straps to really limit rear axle movement to help keep the back stable while they’re towing a rig out

 

[97RangerXLT]

For aerodynamics I would think something going from the top of the cab to the top of the tailgate and enclose the sides from the cab back

congrats, you just recreated the Cybertruck



AJ

 

[superj]

there used to be an awesome online wind tunnel that had tons of cars you could choose to use and make mods to and see the changes in flow with colors. i cannot find it anymore but motor trend did one on an f150 showing the high and low pressure areas and what a wedge camper shell did to improve the airflow over the truck

How Aerodynamic Is Our Ford F-150 Lightning XLT's Fastback Roof?

drag racing doesn't seem like it would benefit much from being more aero but when you watch the funny car guys, their plastic bodies are super smooth and aerodynamic, so it must help or the guys racing for huge money wouldn't invest in having those aero bodies for their cars.

"These "fake" body shells are not just cosmetic; they serve an important aerodynamic purpose.[7] Modern funny cars can rival or surpass Top Fuel dragsters. "
taken from: Funny Car - Wikipedia


here is a good paper with models showing the effects of fins, spoilers, and diffusers used independently and together to try and achieve the most efficient movement of air over a vehicle.

Drag reduction by application of aerodynamic devices in a race car | Advances in Aerodynamics | Full Text

i think though, the obs ranger needs more work on making the air move smoother in front than getting it back together smoothly so we need to come up with a design for the front. maybe a splitter and some type of plexiglass wind screen that connects up just behind the hood leading edge and at the top of the windshield. kind of get a similar look to the horribly ugly cybertruck that tesla sells

 

[sgtsandman]

As mentioned before, he also has to follow the rules for the class he is in. Too many modifications, or at least the wrong ones, could disqualify him. Besides money, there maybe reasons why the truck is what it is.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

drag racing doesn't seem like it would benefit much from being more aero but when you watch the funny car guys, their plastic bodies are super smooth and aerodynamic, so it must help or the guys racing for huge money wouldn't invest in having those aero bodies for their cars.

"These "fake" body shells are not just cosmetic; they serve an important aerodynamic purpose.[7] Modern funny cars can rival or surpass Top Fuel dragsters. "
taken from: Funny Car - Wikipedia

Funny cars also go over 300mph over the course of a quarter mile...

i think though, the obs ranger needs more work on making the air move smoother in front than getting it back together smoothly so we need to come up with a design for the front.

Steve Saleen agrees

 

[Bgunner]

Steve Saleen agrees

Now I'm curious how well this actually did. I'd love to see this in a wind test vs. stock square nose.

If some one could get there hands on one it could be put into CAD and be printed as a tester or a blank/mold to be made of carbon fiber/fiber glass.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Now I'm curious how well this actually did. I'd love to see this in a wind test vs. stock square nose.

If some one could get there hands on one it could be put into CAD and be printed as a tester or a blank/mold to be made of carbon fiber/fiber glass.

Good luck...

Saleen Ford Ranger - The Ranger Station

Many Ford enthusiasts have heard of the Saleen Mustangs, but did you know they did a Ranger? In 1987, Saleen entered a General Tire backed, Ford Ranger-based, Saleen Sportruck in the SCCA Coors Race Truck Challenge and captured two wins. … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[JoshT]

Now I'm curious how well this actually did. I'd love to see this in a wind test vs. stock square nose.

If some one could get there hands on one it could be put into CAD and be printed as a tester or a blank/mold to be made of carbon fiber/fiber glass.

I would say that it probably didn't. As far as I know the ones that looked like that were just street trucks with a kit for appearance. The actual Saleen racers were more stock appearing in grill and body with a large air dam.

My question from the link that 85 posted is... Are those Recaros, or Mustang Sport seats in that white truck?

The backs look more like sport seats, the base looks more like Recaro, and either one could be found with the halo fishnet headrests. I'm considering something like them for my 85. Actually considering that I have the blue interior, what's in that picture would have been perfect.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would say that it probably didn't. As far as I know the ones that looked like that were just street trucks with a kit for appearance. The actual Saleen racers were more stock appearing in grill and body with a large air dam.

My question from the link that 85 posted is... Are those Recaros, or Mustang Sport seats in that white truck?

The backs look more like sport seats, the base looks more like Recaro, and either one could be found with the halo fishnet headrests. I'm considering something like them for my 85. Actually considering that I have the blue interior, what's in that picture would have been perfect.

Those nose cones had to do wonders for engine cooling when the engine was being pushed hard...

 

[superj]

I would say that it probably didn't. As far as I know the ones that looked like that were just street trucks with a kit for appearance. The actual Saleen racers were more stock appearing in grill and body with a large air dam.

My question from the link that 85 posted is... Are those Recaros, or Mustang Sport seats in that white truck?

The backs look more like sport seats, the base looks more like Recaro, and either one could be found with the halo fishnet headrests. I'm considering something like them for my 85. Actually considering that I have the blue interior, what's in that picture would have been perfect.

you could get this one and build it, or use it for donor parts

(1) Marketplace - 1988 Ford Ranger | Facebook

 

[JoshT]

Those nose cones had to do wonders for engine cooling when the engine was being pushed hard...

I've seriously got to ask, is that sarcasm?

I'd expect that grill to restrict flow through the radiator compared to stock. Pictures of the actual Saleen racers show them running the stock grill.

you could get this one and build it, or use it for donor parts

(1) Marketplace - 1988 Ford Ranger | Facebook

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That's a GT, not a Saleen, and why? I don't need or want the GT body kit. They are interesting, but I prefer the styling without the kit and riding low. Those are also appear to be stock Ranger/BII seats. Nothing really special there I less you have a thing for GTs or want a V8 first Gen with most of the work done.

Oh and I think I've pinned down the Saleen seats in the last several minutes. They appear to be the Flo-Fit seats that Saleen also used in the Mustangs at that time. Actually harder to find than the Fox body Recaros (Recaro LS), so I don't think I'll be trying to find a set. Maybe some of the Fox Recaros or a the Corbeaus GTS is pretty similar.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I've seriously got to ask, is that sarcasm?

I'd expect that grill to restrict flow through the radiator compared to stock. Pictures of the actual Saleen racers show them running the stock grill.


That's a GT, not a Saleen, and why? I don't need or want the GT body kit. They are interesting, but I prefer the styling without the kit and riding low. Those are also appear to be stock Ranger/BII seats. Nothing really special there I less you have a thing for GTs or want a V8 first Gen with most of the work done.

Oh and I think I've pinned down the Saleen seats in the last several minutes. They appear to be the Flo-Fit seats that Saleen also used in the Mustangs at that time. Actually harder to find than the Fox body Recaros (Recaro LS), so I don't think I'll be trying to find a set. Maybe some of the Fox Recaros or a the Corbeaus GTS is pretty similar.

Me? Be sarcastic?

 

[Bgunner]

I'd expect that grill to restrict flow through the radiator compared to stock. Pictures of the actual Saleen racers show them running the stock grill.

I too noticed that the racers had the square nose on them, I also noticed that the Saleen street grill made the air flow to the radiator much more restricted. It was one of the first things I noticed about it. Being a 2.9 in it my money says the engines ran much hotter than stock. A restricted air flow through the radiator isn't as much of an issue in drag racing as it is on the streets or road courses.

 

[superj]

I was just posting a kind of cool truck that maybe you might be able to use for something. I have no idea if those are stock seats so i believe you