73 chevy
 

so my dad has a 73 chevy that he hardly drives anymore. its setting on 39.5 by 18.5 or 19 boggers. its a 6 lug 373 gears. i wanna restore it and make it a decent possible daily driver with at least double digits gas mileage without losing the lift or tires or buying heavier running gear? so maybe a switch of gears? what does the board think would be the best gear ratio to get? also thinking maybe later on down the road switching out the 383 stoker for a 6.0. so lend me your knowledge. also best place to get doors fenders and hood and cab parts online?

Re: 73 chevy
 

auto or stick? do you drive on the highway?

mmm 3.73's seem kinda small for 40" tires...

Re: 73 chevy
 

bigger picture

Re: 73 chevy
 

its a 4 speed with a granny gear. i will drive it on the highway once its done

Re: 73 chevy
 

That's a LOT OF TRUCK!!! Seems you are kinda at the minimum for what it is. I don't believe a 6.0 will get you any better mpg than that 383. Less fuel flow (smaller CFM carb) MIGHT increase the economy - but you really can't expect a RHINO to run on a Happy Meal.
Online is littered with '73 parts, new & used.....all depends on what your budget is. Being in GA, there has GOTTA be a bunch of part available locally.

Re: 73 chevy
 

Losing the Boggers for a set of MT type radials would probably make a bigger difference than anything else.

Re: 73 chevy
 

yeah im gonna keep the 383 for a while. i was thinking maybe about swapping the boggers out for some toyos or something of that nature and maybe 20 inch rims. im mainly looking for better fuel mileage though because 3 to 4 miles a gallon just isnt going to cut it ya know!

Re: 73 chevy
 

Quadrajet and keep your foot out of it (small primaries) if you put your foot in it, gas mileage is a loss... Tune it tune it tune it... 3mpg seems BAD... I know of big blocks with lower gearing and bigger tires that get 6ish... I second losing the boggers for a toyo MT or Mickey Thompson MTZ or CLAW tire... Also smaller wheels=better mileage.. biug wheels on these year 4x4 trucks almost always looks ugly... and gas mileage will suffer... but with 40's don expect better than 8 or 9 mpg... a 5.3 swap MIGHT get you into the double digits... I cant imagine a 6.0 getting double digits though. how bout 12 valve cummins.. a bit more expensive and you lose the Bowtie BUT 20mpg i common and you could roll coal:)

Re: 73 chevy
 

yeah. i didnt expect much with 40's thats why i was pondering the 37s. whats the average cost of swapping in a 12 valve? along with the transmission, trans case and such to make it all match

Re: 73 chevy
 

You need bigger axles brother. 35" max tire for 1/2t axles(which you have). You have 40" tires, get some one tons axles. Dana 60 up front and a 14 bolt full float in the rear.

Re: 73 chevy
 

you could probably do it for about 2500 maybe more maybe less.. I would look for a cheap donor truck....


he already said he didnt want that... its not my problem if he likes broken axle shafts:lol: then again he wants to street drive it.. which makes me think oh no itty bitty brakes:(

Re: 73 chevy
 

i forget till today my pops has a set of 8 lug axles. how do you tell what the gears are? or what type it is like a dana 60? Im down for all ideas. :metal:

Re: 73 chevy
 

Q-jet and less aggressive 36"-37" tires.

Re: 73 chevy
 

alright no less than 37's though.

Re: 73 chevy
 

new set of wheel bearings will blow you freaknn mind

Re: 73 chevy
 

:haha: I haven't laughed like that in a long time. Thank you lol.

Re: 73 chevy
 

yes,
yes,
yes,
yes :lol: listen to the man.

i agree /w/ everything you said...

in addition, change your gearing, maybe upgrade to a ford 9 while your at it??
(yes a ford 9 will rob 20+ hp just to turn it, but it will take anything dished at it)
also maybe your local junk yard has a decent 480le /w/ t case? (get that overdrive)
Im sure there is a timing problem/valve seal problem /w/ your motor. 3mpg is crazy.
I get 10mpg driving /w/ old people, 9mpg getth there quick, 5 on and off the 2ndaries.

so it dose matter how you drive.... staying off the 2ndaries??!!!:chevy:

also, a nice 12v1998 cummins would do the trick like said before!!!

Re: 73 chevy
 

Nice truck but yea I would defiantly look at changing you gears and putting less aggressive tires on there will make a huge difference. 3.73s are way small for those tires my friend. Tune that motor as well that should help keep your foot out of it as well!

Re: 73 chevy
 

Lower gears will definately help, not only with mileage but in "general drivability" too.....but, it is "false economy" to spend the money to put the right gears into those 6-lug axles. S
Step up to the strength and better braking of 8 lug axles and you might even get better gearing in the mix....or at least have something worth investing the gear money into.

Re: 73 chevy
 

alright. ill take those thoughts into comsideration. what you guys think about maybe getting those ss twenties off the new trucks and putting 37s on em? if i keep the 6 lug and get less agressive tires. also whats a good place online for new fenders and such?