Throughout the buildup Mike also familiarized himself with how to get optimum traction at the track. To avoid any problems with axlewrap, he added a set of ladder bars from First Engineering. To solve his front end hopping issues when launching, he wrapped two ratchet straps around the frame and leaf springs to lower the front end. With plenty of adjustments and fine-tuning, he's now found the perfect balance where there's just enough traction to not spin the 305/60R18 Toyo Proxes S/Ts while leaving the starting line.
Mike told us there was definitely a learning curve when he began setting the truck up for drag racing. Weight is one of the most important aspects in drag racing, and Super Dutys are not exactly lightweights. So, Mike stripped weight anywhere he could. Simple things like the tailgate, spare tire, hitch, rear bench, and passenger seat were all ditched, and he replaced the rear bumper with a fiberglass roll pan. The truck's current weight is 6,900 pounds with Mike in the driver's seat, and he's recently run a best of 13.0 seconds at 101 mph in the quarter-mile.
It's been a long road to get the Mule where it is today, but Mike says it's also been a lot of fun. He's particularly pleased with how well the stock long-block has held up so far. And, with a never-say-die attitude, Mike's always looking to strip more weight, add more power, and get more traction to further lower his track times. By the time you read this, he'll have added front and rear lockers, an electric fan, and be in the high 12s in the quarter-mile. And, as Mike rarely misses a local or national event in his area, you can bet the Mule will be blasting down the dragstrip all summer long.
 To end any axlewrap issues...  To end any axlewrap issues while launching, Mike had First Engineering build him a custom set of ladder bars. |  To lighten up the truck, Mike...  To lighten up the truck, Mike took out the rear bench seat as well as the passenger seat. Always a work in progress, the next item up for termination is the air conditioning. |  After the truck was fine-tuned,...  After the truck was fine-tuned, it made 489 hp and more than 1,000 lb-ft on the dyno. |
 In order to solve some hopping...  In order to solve some hopping issues the truck was having at the track, Mike ran two 2-inch Mac's ratchet straps over the frame and under the front leaf springs. He told us that with the straps tightened down where he wants them, the front end sits 2 inches lower. |  Mike's F-250 rides on light...  Mike's F-250 rides on light 18x9-inch Centerline wheels and relies on 305/60R18 Toyo Proxes S/Ts at every corner to get him off the line during four-wheel-drive launches. He told us he typically runs 35 psi in the front tires and 24 psi in the rear. |  Dropping weight was a must...  Dropping weight was a must on Mike's Super Duty. His most recent weight reduction came from tossing the factory rear bumper in favor of a fiberglass roll pan. Judging by the scratches in the bed and the fifth-wheel hitch plate cover, we'd say the truck has worked before. In fact, Mike told us he can still tow heavy without the Power Stroke's EGTs getting out of control. |