[WoodButcher]

All that said, an aggressive tread all terrain tire and a limited slip rear end would be things you should be looking into.
Have you looked at your RPO sticker? is "G80" on it?
also because you have 2WD you need not worry about buying 4 tires all at once. They don't need to be exactly the same size. Both my '93 and '69 vans both run bigs in back, littles in front w/o issues so buying tires in pairs can save you lots. You can find used pairs of tires all over. Facebook, craigslist, local newspapers, here in my area I know of two stores that sell used tires. I have always kept the tires similar in load ratings.

 

[Gabor Latte]

Hey. Never heard of RPO 'till now and Google told me to look in so-called glove compartment and found attached sticker there, but no G80 printed anywhere.

If I'm an expert at anything it's buying things on the cheap. Current tires bought half-used and mismatched brands and for nearly nothing. But that was 18,000 miles ago. I definitely have my radar on used tires, tho' pickings slim in remote region presently abiding. But thanks for the tips - interesting that you use bigger in the back. I thought they all had to be uniform What was/is your inspiration for doing so?

 

[WoodButcher]

Bigs in the back is an old vanners thing. Uniformity is for AWD and 4WD. Mixed diameter tires need to roll at different speeds to complete 1 revolution, The gears in the transfer case cannot function when in operation.

I've had vans forever but in later years I've run the heavier tires for load carrying ability, my '97 I had a franken-pack of leaves in the rear with dedicated 31x10.5 truck tires so I could carry much too much weight. The astro doesn't have the power for it, to go or to stop.
Here is a picture of my '69, this is just for looks, not carrying.

now with all new rubber-

20210627 112517

• WoodButcher
• Sep 10, 2021
• 1

when I first got her-

00n0n 9oU7kMxq0GC 1200x900

• WoodButcher
• Jan 26, 2020

 

[Gabor Latte]

That’s a very beautiful and good-looking old gal!

Pray tell, what’s the wisdom or reason to go bigger on back? I’m actually going to check out set of used tires tomorrow, would be good to be armed with that info. Also, didn’t see/get the sticker I last attached? Any discernible/helpful info on it regards RPO?

 

[Rod's Trucks]

The GU6 on the RPO sticker means you should would originally have the 3:42 gear ratio...but you probably already knew that. From the other codes, it must hve been a custom chassis sold for an RV upgrade ( ie; VXT incomplete vehicle, and VXT temporary driver seat for shipping, etc.)

Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[Gabor Latte]

Thanks for that translation, Rod! In fact I’ve always been puzzled/mystified by the talk of gear ratios. Now I know what I got! And yes, custom chassis/RV upgrade probably ‘cuz this here’s a high-top conversion.
Is 3:42 pretty standard?

Again, appreciate you deciphering the ancient text 🙏.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

Yes, the 3:42 is very standard, particularly for the 2WD chassis. Many of the 4WD chassis came with 3.73 ratio. The 3.73 is a bit better suited to the 'truck' applications that desired the 4WD..and a few even came woth the G-80 'Gov'Loc' reag diff, which was a variation on the 'limited-slip' concept. It functioned as an 'open' diff until a specific set of conditions ( differential wheel speed) were met, then it became a locked diff.
There are many many comments on the aspects of those units. If treated with respect, they seem to last well, but parts are apparently becoming difficult to find and expensive if you do find them.
Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[Gabor Latte]

Good to know my ratio is in the standard, nothing too exotic. Some of that info goes over my mechanically ignoramus’d mind, but in time perhaps will fully compute.

 

[WoodButcher]

Lol, no wisdom at all for the bigs out back on a van, just looks Drag cars found a wider tire would give more traction at launch, taller gave you more wheel speed for the top end and it was a look we all loved back then. Still do.

This kind of loading for short trips was pretty common in my '97, tools, lumber ladders, equipment and even firewood. When I still used a woodstove I always kept a chainsaw in the truck.

DSCF2779

• WoodButcher
• Oct 11, 2014

DSCF2355

• WoodButcher
• Apr 14, 2014

This was my spring pack, a 5+1 when I replaced the rear end with a G80. I did the "big brake upgrade" and a few other things but it still had a 4.3.

DSCF2188-1080

• WoodButcher
• Jul 11, 2011

All fixed

.

 

[Gabor Latte]

Holy mother of all loads! Now I get why you’re concerned with the weight on the wheels, etc.

Alrightee, will stick to same size all around…