1. Make the best looking 4x4 puller from scratch
   
2. Use as many spare parts as possible
   
3. Spend as little money as possible
   
4. Don’t buy it; make it from parts or stock

Basic Layout, Shafts, and Drive Gears

I started out looking around the internet for 4x4 pulling trucks. My first choice (but not always the best) was eBay. I was an eBay junky at one time. I did a search for 4x4 pullers and that’s when it all started.

I found several made out of the old-style clod buster, one or two other kits, and one that was made out of square aluminum tube. I chose the aluminum tube as my starting point. So off I went in search of square aluminum tube. I went to Mc Master Cars... I choose 3" the first time around, cut it out to the shape I found while doing research, and guess what: it was too big! I thought 3" would be great... Turns out not... So after kicking myself, I went back to the internet to see what others were using. The normal was about 2" at the most, so I chose 1¾ the second time. I cut it out to the same style as before. I used the NR/CTPA rulebook as a standard for the dimensions of the truck. It helps to have the body you’re planning to use so that you can leave room in the rear for the hitch, as you don’t want the frame to go all the way to the rear bumper. With the chassis all cut out, I need to decide what size and type of gear to use (this is very "hush hush" in the pulling world, so ask around and use all the answers to come up with a good starting point). Next I needed to decide what size shafts I will have. Some say ¼ works fine others only use 3/8. I chose ¼, just because the bearings I used were 11/16 diameter with a flange. ("What’s a flanged bearing?" you may ask. It's a bearing that has a ridge that has a larger diameter than the main part.) I then started the layout of the axels. I started with the rear and then moved on to the front. The axel must be no more than 11¾ length. The truck can not be any wider than 11½ and no longer than 24 and 20 from the center of the rear to the farthest point forward. You can get all this from the NR/CTPA rulebook. Thus concludes part one.

I will cover how to drive the front axel and tires in part 2.

Till then, FULL PULL!

Part two of four.