Which tranny should i run?

[Driver4r]

Glad to find another my age. 16 FTW!!!!

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Notta clue. Just going by what the parts catalog and Hollander say.

 

[1973 Chevy]

I think what ill end up doing is finding a th350 and 205. With that setup would you guys recomend going with taller rear gears?

It's my understanding all 73's came with NP205 transfer cases. buckets says NO. So what Tcase do you have now? Find that out first. With 3.08's and tall tires you won't need OD, but as said, it'll be a slug taking off for sure. Th350 is sounding like the best option to me unless you're doing a gear change. Yes, you can get 3.73 and 4.10 gears for 10 bolts. Your truck should be a 12 bolt rear end and a Dana 44 front axle if it's original equipment.

Im sorry I should have mentioned from the start that this is 1986 equipment with the 208/700R4/10 bolts

 

[1973 Chevy]

Glad to find another my age. 16 FTW!!!!

Haha yep I can tell these square bodies are very addicting.

 

[1973 Chevy]

Any input on my rear end gears?

 

[HotRodPC]

Could be 2.73,3.08, 3.42, 3.73 or 4.10. Have you looked for an axle code on your rear end axle tube? We have the Squarebody Reference Library for those type things.

 

[bucket]

Any input on my rear end gears?

With your plans and a non-OD trans, 3.73 would be a good choice.

 

[1973 Chevy]

Could be 2.73,3.08, 3.42, 3.73 or 4.10. Have you looked for an axle code on your rear end axle tube? We have the Squarebody Reference Library for those type things.

I looked once, found it on the list but I forgot it now and will have to look again.

With your plans and a non-OD trans, 3.73 would be a good choice.

Is there gear "kits" or should I steal them from another rear end.

 

[HotRodPC]

Sure there's gear kits. You might even find a complete drum to drum axle ready to bolt in for $100 or so, then you'd need to find one for the front too. Usually see 10 bolts sets for about $300 around here, and I"ve talked one guy down to $225 and end up not coming up with the funds that I thought I had coming. So he emailed me back about a month later and said if I wanted them $200, and I responded, thanks bud, no cash at the moment, and he then responded, get me $150 and their yours. By that time, I knew I was getting axles for free with Detroit Lockers and Air Lockers.

 

[Driver4r]

im running 3:73 on 32's right now, i get about 6ish usually(10 if im lucky on the highway) if you are gonna run bigger tires, then mabey it will bring your rpm down enough to gain. I'm honestly getting tired of refilling every other day it seems.

I know not all of these are gm ratios, but this might help.
http://www.omix-ada.com/images/gear-ratio-chart.gif

 

[1973 Chevy]

Sure there's gear kits. You might even find a complete drum to drum axle ready to bolt in for $100 or so, then you'd need to find one for the front too. Usually see 10 bolts sets for about $300 around here, and I"ve talked one guy down to $225 and end up not coming up with the funds that I thought I had coming. So he emailed me back about a month later and said if I wanted them $200, and I responded, thanks bud, no cash at the moment, and he then responded, get me $150 and their yours. By that time, I knew I was getting axles for free with Detroit Lockers and Air Lockers.

I am only looking at just getting a new ring gear and pinion?, I see a bunch of kits online with only that, or do I have to swap out the shafts, little gears and such?

 

[HotRodPC]

If all your wanting to do is a gear ratio change then all you'd need is the Ring and Pinion so long as you have the right series carrier already. And if you don't want to freshen it up with new bearings, seals and gaskets. If you're thinking of limited slip posi, or a locker, it's a good idea while you're doing your gear change to do the carrier swap to you LSD or Locker at the same time.

 

[1973 Chevy]

That's another story. Thanks guys this whole thread has been a huge help!

 

[Driver4r]

Ive been told that if you have the carier out, then its best to change the bearing/seals while your at it. Also you will need a dial indicator(i think thats it?) to check the gears for the shims.

 

[HotRodPC]

Ive been told that if you have the carier out, then its best to change the bearing/seals while your at it. Also you will need a dial indicator(i think thats it?) to check the gears for the shims.

Yep, I just bought a magnetic base and dial indicator for about $20 bucks at HF. If it's good enough that Drivetrain.com sells the exact same **** for $50 + shipping, it must be OK.