73 chevy

[Daniellane]

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?

[mongoose]

auto or stick? do you drive on the highway?

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

[Daniellane]

bigger picture

[Daniellane]

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

[3QTRTONS]

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.

[USSkoval]

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

[Daniellane]

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!

[bikes&bowties]

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

[Daniellane]

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

[thirdstreettito]

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.

[bikes&bowties]

Originally Posted by Daniellane

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

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

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

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.

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

[Daniellane]

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.

[jchav62]

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

[Daniellane]

alright no less than 37's though.

[spinem]

new set of wheel bearings will blow you freaknn mind

[Chevy623]

Originally Posted by 3QTRTONS

but you really can't expect a RHINO to run on a Happy Meal.

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

[spinem]

Originally Posted by bikes&bowties

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

yes,
yes,
yes,
yes 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??!!!

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

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

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!

[LONGHAIR]

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.

[Daniellane]

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?