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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: atlanta ga
Posts: 89
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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?
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: slurrey, bc.
Posts: 1,134
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Re: 73 chevy
auto or stick? do you drive on the highway?
mmm 3.73's seem kinda small for 40" tires...
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-'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never. -'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways. -'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: atlanta ga
Posts: 89
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Re: 73 chevy
bigger picture
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: atlanta ga
Posts: 89
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Re: 73 chevy
its a 4 speed with a granny gear. i will drive it on the highway once its done
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Warren, ME.
Posts: 233
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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.
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1994 C1500 rclb 1988 C1500 rclb 1969 ES5500 B E A S T 1983 C10 'farm truck' 1976 K20 Suburban 1984 K10 Suburban 1981 Jeep CJ5/350 Vortec 1941 Dodge WC18 Ambulance 2000 GMC Bus (parts warehouse) |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: West Jefferson, OH
Posts: 999
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Re: 73 chevy
Losing the Boggers for a set of MT type radials would probably make a bigger difference than anything else.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: atlanta ga
Posts: 89
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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!
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington
Posts: 663
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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
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: atlanta ga
Posts: 89
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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
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#10 |
Resident of Here
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA
Posts: 7,716
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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.
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~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list ![]() Miss having a truck ![]() |
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#11 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington
Posts: 663
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Re: 73 chevy
Quote:
Quote:
he already said he didnt want that... its not my problem if he likes broken axle shafts ![]() ![]() |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: atlanta ga
Posts: 89
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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.
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#13 |
1962 C-10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico
Posts: 4,978
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Re: 73 chevy
Q-jet and less aggressive 36"-37" tires.
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Joseph Chavez ![]() "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4 |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: atlanta ga
Posts: 89
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Re: 73 chevy
alright no less than 37's though.
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#15 |
haha, ford guys...
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 576
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Re: 73 chevy
new set of wheel bearings will blow you freaknn mind
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Jacksonville Florida
Posts: 234
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Re: 73 chevy
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Jesse. ![]() |
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#17 | |
haha, ford guys...
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 576
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Re: 73 chevy
Quote:
yes, yes, yes ![]() 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??!!! ![]() also, a nice 12v1998 cummins would do the trick like said before!!! Last edited by spinem; 03-26-2010 at 02:44 PM. |
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#18 |
Chevys Kick A$$
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Zootown, MT
Posts: 12,699
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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!
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*HOODS is what I answer too* -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold ![]() -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit ![]() ![]() -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER ![]() I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!
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#19 | |
just can't cover up my redneck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Columbus OH
Posts: 11,414
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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.
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: atlanta ga
Posts: 89
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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?
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