LUVTruck.com

Hello All,
Just picked up my 1978 Chevy luv Mikado stepside. Runs n drives got it for a steal of a deal. Just needs a carb rebuild or tune up, idles rough and stalls also sputtering at low rpm. Then misfire going about 55-60 mph unless I'm coasting haha. Still working on naming this luv.

It has about 82,xxx miles (I dont know if it lapped over to 100k) but barely any rust mostly just surface rust. Deciding on which route to go with this project, I know I am not sticking with this 1.8L, need more power Missing a few odds and ends but most is complete.
Well this is all for now.

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-1978 "TuFF" Luv Stepside (stock for now with a weber)

Welcome, Looks like a great truck to start with.

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Three Amigos

Good lookin truck, the stepsides are getting more and more rare, always someone lookin for one
What part of the pnw are you in?
Many of us went with the more power route and got rid of the 1.8s. Couple options for mainstream swaps.
Isuzu 4 cyls 1.9 and 2.3
Buick 3.8 (older rwd ones not the fwd)
Smallblock chevy
Chevy 4.3 v6 the 3/4 350
Or pretty much whatever rearwheel drive 4 banger you feel like fabricating your own mounts for

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1980 Mikado (roller for sale $350)

1999 Isuzu Rodeo 4x4, 31" kumho mt's, the wife's DD
1993 Lexus SC400 my DD
2005 Honda CRF450R my second love in life

I am up north in Lake Stevens area. I maybe going to a 4 banger route as that is where I come from with my Eagle Talon AWD that I take to the track from time to time.
But for the mean time until I gather all the engine parts for the swap, I want this to run a little better to cruise around town etc.
Anyone local can help me out on rebuilding this carb or if any one has a carb that is good running condition? I have a spare carb that came with it. I am not a carb guy, more of a Fuel inj guy haha.
Can't wait to mod this beast of a truck!

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-1978 "TuFF" Luv Stepside (stock for now with a weber)

Welcome !!
The factory carbs are garbage.
Swap it to a Weber 32/36.

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"You can't please everyone,so you've got to please yourself"

Agreed the stock hitachi carbs blow. When i had the 4 banger i had a weber 32/36 and a p'up 1.9l electronic distributor and it was great for a g180.

Someone i cant remember who put a Sr20det in his luv and it was a ripper... I think the ka24e or de would be awesome for a pretty easy swap.

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1980 Mikado (roller for sale $350)

1999 Isuzu Rodeo 4x4, 31" kumho mt's, the wife's DD
1993 Lexus SC400 my DD
2005 Honda CRF450R my second love in life

Someone has swapped with a Mitsubishi 4cyl turbo (Eclipse) engine in the LUV before.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Would this Weber work for my Luv? I am still new to this Carb stuff.
http://skagit.craigslist.org/pts/5660027398.html

or what is a cheaper option? And anyone local willing to help out.

I will be looking into doing a 4G63T swap from a talon/eclipse (DSM). They do make adapter plates to mate to various transmissions like W58 or R154 or even the TH350 if I want to go auto, but looking to stick with manual.

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-1978 "TuFF" Luv Stepside (stock for now with a weber)

Carb yes, adapter not likely
Redline weber sells adapters and carbs
They come up on here from time totime

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1980 Mikado (roller for sale $350)

1999 Isuzu Rodeo 4x4, 31" kumho mt's, the wife's DD
1993 Lexus SC400 my DD
2005 Honda CRF450R my second love in life

Update:
Weber 32/36 installed, New coil, plugs, condenser, fuel filter, fuel pump, battery, valve cover gasket, etc. Added a semi-new bench seat, removed the ugly bucket seats. Cleaned out added new fuses to fuse box, connections were not too badly corroded. Resealed the sunroof, minor leaks.

Just need to add some gas and ready to roll for the past fuel months of being down.
Need to find a fan heater blower motor to fix my seized one before winter hits.

Pictures to come soon.

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-1978 "TuFF" Luv Stepside (stock for now with a weber)

Any idea what that sunroof was originally from?
Waitin on pics

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1980 Mikado (roller for sale $350)

1999 Isuzu Rodeo 4x4, 31" kumho mt's, the wife's DD
1993 Lexus SC400 my DD
2005 Honda CRF450R my second love in life

Seems to me the sunroof look to be from the factory. As it fits in perfectly with the headliner.

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-1978 "TuFF" Luv Stepside (stock for now with a weber)

more pics

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-1978 "TuFF" Luv Stepside (stock for now with a weber)

Looking good. The sunroof is aftermarket, but could have been put on by the dealer. They made good kits back then.

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Three Amigos

Ok sweet good to know!

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-1978 "TuFF" Luv Stepside (stock for now with a weber)

3 rebuilds on mine. Still useless.
Does the carb kit come in a kit, or just bolt on? Never had any trouble with points. Is it worth $300 to go electronic?

Don't need $300 to go electronic get the ignitor kit from pertronix. Around $90.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx- ... /model/luv

For a weber carb need an adapter to go on your stock intake. Comes in a kit.

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1980 Longbox Luv, rebuilt 1.8l, smog delete, weber carb, electronic ignition.

Nice truck mattp

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1980 Longbox Luv, rebuilt 1.8l, smog delete, weber carb, electronic ignition.

Update:
So I made a semi custom tonneau cover for my Tuff Luv stepside. What you guys think?

Came from a tonneau 3 piece cover from an avalanche or escalade. Bought it for cheap and decided to see if it will fit. It was 4 inches to short so I covered the rest with vinyl and magnets

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-1978 "TuFF" Luv Stepside (stock for now with a weber)

Just wanted to share where my build is at so far with the LUV called Project CHEVISH.

See link below:
http://www.hotrodcoffeeshop.com/forum/v ... f=6&t=1703

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-1978 "TuFF" Luv Stepside (stock for now with a weber)