original balzer
1/2 ton status
As far as I know a 285x75x16 will rub a tiny bit, but that truck doesnt have the original bumper and air dam so they might clear. However it also has a winch and a heavier bumper so it might be squatted a little.
CK5
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trying to decide what to buy.
- Thread starter Mikey von
- Start date
Mikey von
1/2 ton status
So i passed on the '93. It was in pretty rough shape and had some no-gos for me. The headlights were held in with wire and bounced around. Radiator fluid was real low and it smoked some, smelling sweet. The winch also did not work.
The guy with the '73 is firm with his $1500 with the good running carb.
The search continues....
I do like those 4x4 Astro vans.
The guy with the '73 is firm with his $1500 with the good running carb.
The search continues....
I do like those 4x4 Astro vans.
original balzer
1/2 ton status
Not that Im trying to push astros or anything but they are cheap dependable and suprisingly capable. you can lift them pretty cheap upgrade things such as swapping in a 2 speed transfer case to make it a real 4wd. I would look for an AWD though, you can further modify both versions. V8 swaps EVEN as big as a 502.
And although mine is currently dead, they are actually kinda fun to drive. Almost no hood and high seat make you feel in comand.
And although mine is currently dead, they are actually kinda fun to drive. Almost no hood and high seat make you feel in comand.
Give '73 guy a grand with the Carter and then put a Truck Avenger or QJet on it and call it a day.
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
thats exactly what i was thinkin.buy it without the demon carb.i dont like the way those run.ive heard they run alright but they suck on fuel milage.standard 600 cfm carb will run good on it.only cost ya 200 bucks.
balzer that astro van is awesome.i wouldnt have any trouble drivin that thing around.i bet its pretty capable.bumper angles arent too bad.could trim a lil and make it better.lol.but i also like the short front end.you can alsways see over the hood.
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Buy the '73 for $1K, find a Q-jet from a similar truck in a junkyard, rebuild the Q-jet (less than $30) and you'll be set.
Don't bother with a new or reman'd carb unless you feel like spending extra money and tuning a bunch. Or just deal with 8 mpg and lower power like most people who take this route.
Surprisingly enough, a Q-jet that was tuned to work on the stock 350 from the junkyard will work awfully well on the 73's stock 350
Don't bother with a new or reman'd carb unless you feel like spending extra money and tuning a bunch. Or just deal with 8 mpg and lower power like most people who take this route.
Surprisingly enough, a Q-jet that was tuned to work on the stock 350 from the junkyard will work awfully well on the 73's stock 350
Mikey von
1/2 ton status
Buy the '73 for $1K, find a Q-jet from a similar truck in a junkyard, rebuild the Q-jet (less than $30) and you'll be set.
Don't bother with a new or reman'd carb unless you feel like spending extra money and tuning a bunch. Or just deal with 8 mpg and lower power like most people who take this route.
Surprisingly enough, a Q-jet that was tuned to work on the stock 350 from the junkyard will work awfully well on the 73's stock 350
i think this the route i will try. do the q-jets work well with the sb 396?
GM put Q-jets on everything from 250 CID to 500 CID, their vacuum secondaries and small primaries insure that they only provide the fuel and air necessary. Q-jets are much more versatile than most carbs
So yeah, a Q-jet will work just fine on a 396.
original balzer
1/2 ton status
woah how do you build a SB 396???
More stroke. There are aftermarket blocks that can support SBC's over 450 CID.
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/brandpages/chevy/131_0407_450_ci_small_block/index.html
I'm pretty sure I saw one closer to 500 CID but I couldn't find it in a quick search.
Mikey von
1/2 ton status
the guy selling the '73 says it has a sb 396, which i assume is the same as a sb 400????
Nope...
Unless it's a built up engine and he's dramatically underplaying what is in it...
Either it's a big block 396 or a small block 400 and he's got his nomenclature screwy either way.
Unless it's a built up engine and he's dramatically underplaying what is in it...
Either it's a big block 396 or a small block 400 and he's got his nomenclature screwy either way.
Mikey von
1/2 ton status
are they both desirable? Which one is more desirable? Big block = torque correct?
400 has a history of cooling problems. 396 would be torquey but hello 8mpg.
If its the green one in the first couple of posts its a BB the 396 is a big block motor the 400 is a small block motor. The 402 is a bored out 396, and the small block 400 did have some overheating issues 
and its going to get in the high singles to low low teens for mileage
I third the Astro Van choice, mine gets 20-22 all the time and it will haul what ever I want and its a short version. My old one would tow as well as a shortbed pickup, new one doesn't have a hitch. A 4x8 sheet of plywood fits in them easily with the longer version. They are basically a 1/2 pickup in cogneato, that can carry people.
and its going to get in the high singles to low low teens for mileage
I third the Astro Van choice, mine gets 20-22 all the time and it will haul what ever I want and its a short version. My old one would tow as well as a shortbed pickup, new one doesn't have a hitch. A 4x8 sheet of plywood fits in them easily with the longer version. They are basically a 1/2 pickup in cogneato, that can carry people.
lectric80
3/4 ton status
I will agree, but I am biased, I have two sitting in my driveway now, one short and one long. Both are very nice, and they perform very well in the winter.
Mikey von
1/2 ton status
I do like the astro's, but i need something cheap until my burb gets going. I have not seen an astro for sale under 5K. That is one reason i like a beater truck, it serves as a complement to my burb. I only drive the burb 3000+ miles a year, the truck would be less (especially once the burb gets going). I can live with crappy milage if I can get some seat of the pants fun.
Guy with '73 said it was sb, guess he is confused. He has not responded to my updated offer.
Guy with '73 said it was sb, guess he is confused. He has not responded to my updated offer.
lectric80
3/4 ton status
Astro's are all over for way less than 5k, I just picked up a junker with nice interior and a bad engine for 200. Gonna swap my good engine from my other one into it. I picked up my 92 for 700, and can get much newer than that for around 1k.
I paid $800 for mine I know where two are that need some work not sure how much work that you could get for $300 each, but you need to be a dealer to buy them.
