LUVTruck.com

Hey guys:

I’m interested in purchasing a luv truck and have a few questions that I haven’t been able to get conclusive answers to by looking around the internet (and even this site). So if anyone has the answers to the questions below I’d love to have the answers.

My requirements for my luv truck:
1) I love the look of the 4 headlight models. I’ve been trying to find the last year that 4 headlight trucks were made. I see examples of 4 headlight trucks in 1977 but also examples of two headlight trucks. Is this because of a model difference or a mid-year change?
4 headlight 1977
http://www.luvtruck.com/Gallery/RayChri ... index.html
2 headlight 1977
http://www.luvtruck.com/Gallery/JohnHil ... 20032.html

2) I love the look of the luv trucks with the tail lights underneath the tailgate vs. on the corners of the bed. I see examples of both styles in 1974. Is this a model difference or a mid-year change or just the wrong bed?
1974 with taillights under the tailgate
http://www.luvtruck.com/Gallery/BillSti ... 20012.html
1974 with taillights in the corner of the bed
http://www.luvtruck.com/Gallery/JohnLam ... t%204.html

3) I love the look of the round taillights. So far I’ve only been able to find this on the 1972 model. Is that correct?
1972 with round taillights
http://www.luvtruck.com/Gallery/Erics72 ... 01795.html

4) So if all the things I love listed above are accurate, #3 restricts me to finding a 1972 model. So first I would like confirmation of that and if so, would the section under the tailgate with the lights from a 1972 fit into the same hole (with minor modifications) that exists on the 1973 and (at least some) 1974 models?

5) Lastly, Is there anything that I should know about the 1972-1974 models that make them significantly worse than the later models (I don’t care about 4x4) that would be enough to persuade my purchasing decision?

6) My end goal with the truck is to put one of the later model diesels in it so that is a consideration too. But if the gas mileage with the stock motor was good enough I would probably stick with that for a while.

Thanks in advance,
Eric Q.

4 headlights were made up to 1977, but it is relatively easy to swap the parts between the two and many LUVs at this point are pieced together out of several years.

Round tail lights are 72 only, with a few in 1973 (likely using up remaining stock of the older beds)

The 72-74 (72-75 actually) used a different style of motor that is not as robust as the earlier models. The 76 and newer motor is a much better design, and there are a lot more parts available for it. 76 was also the first year for front disc brakes which is a big help.
Here is what I would go for, if it were me. Get a 76 or newer truck, even up to 1980. Swap in 4 headlights if you don't get them right off. Find a bed for a 72-73 with round lights or one for a 74 and swap it on. It should bolt right up with very little mods. This all means a lot of work, so you may want to just find a truck of the year you want, but for a driver I think I'd go for the most mechanically upgraded truck I could.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

Sounds like good advice. I've been watching a few '76's locally so your advice regarding the mechanical improvements sounds good.

Were front disc brakes an option or was it standard on all luv trucks from '76 on?

Thanks again for the reply,
Eric Q.

they were standard from '76 on

Great.

Thanks again for the replies.

Eric Q.

Good researching. Man some of youse have nice rides.

_________________
IGNORE ME

800 is right on. Also something to think about is smog. I live in So. Cal so smoging cars is a issue. I went with a pre smog LUV(1974),bought a 78 truck and did some swapping so I retained the 74 title and was able to upgrade everything else and added a small block. Most everything is interchangeable(I did notice that early frames will not accept late bumper brackets)so I would say that the year is not too important.

_________________
Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Smog is one thing I always forget about, being in a non-testing area. If that is a consideration, you will want to factor that in.

Just another litle FYI, the go to the main http://www.luvtruck.com site and look in the information section for a disc brake swap article. The disc brakes from 76 and up can be swapped to older trucks with very little hassle, should you end up with an older truck.

Personally, I like the 78-80s for mechanical issues (cable clutch), and the styling of the 75-77 (four headlights, vertical tail lights, wing windows). My 79 4x4 is set up pretty much exactly like that.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

Here's an update to my quest. I found a very straight and rust free '75 without an engine and an '82 diesel with a munched cab.

Originally I was thinking about moving the running gear from the '82 into the '75 but now I'm thinking about moving the body from the '75 to the '82.

The wheelbase is 1.8" longer on the '82 but hopefully I can hide this spread between the two fender openings.

What do you guys think of my plan?

Eric Q.