LUVTruck.com

Hello everyone,

I just picked up this little gem. It's a 1980 Luv 4x4, 4 speed, air, and a radio, not much else. It's an absalutely rust free bone dry central California valley car (dust bowl) rust free except forthe dog pee enhanced wheel rust LOL!

Basically a few scratches and door dings away from a perfect body, the only real issue is that the last owner drove it when it got hot and parked it when it finally quit, he believes (as do I) that it blew a head gasket and blew up. On the outside the engine looks clean, original, and intact. I'll do the normal checks to be sure, but for now I'm assuming it's dead. Are there any good resources for engines for these? I found a few offered by the big offshore engine companies online (rebuilt long blocks) for around $1,500.00, are there any other good sources? The truck came with a 1.8 liter Isuzu engine, do you guys reccomend something different/better as an upgrade?

Thanks!

Scott

Looks Straight!

Welcome

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Thanks! ...And yes, it's very straight, all original paint, no body work or rust. Question.....Are those trailer towing mirrors factory? They look like aftermarket bolt ons but not being familiar with LUV's I don't have a clue. Either way they are coming off! I have it home now and plan on a complete detail and paint buff tomarrow, I'll post pics when I'm finished. It should turn out reasonably nice, nice enough to drive around a while "As Is" although I'm sure it will need paint eventually.

posting your location in your profile helps a lot. If another member lives near you they will let you know what the wrecking yards might have or what parts they and their friends have.

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76 mikado project,mean green

Welcome. Many of the LUVs I've seen have that style mirror. Yours might be a little bigger than the ones I've seen, though.
If you plan to keep the 4X4, about the only other eng. you can go with is a G-200. Same block, just a bit bigger bore/stroke. The t case and trans. are all one piece on these trucks, so your limited, unless you wanna get crazy with a welder and all.
I pulled my eng. and took it to a local rebuilder, and spent about $1000.00, then dropped it back in.
E bay often has internal eng. parts also. Check with your local mom and pop auto parts store. They should be able to still get eng. parts. Good luck, nice find!

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

Welcome,,,Congrats looks like you found a good one!

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1980 4x4 - Hunt'n truck 9yrs only seen pavement to the gas station. Gets a little spooked when it sees another vehicle.

Truck looks good, but that lawn is real nice.

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The light at the end of the tunnel, may just be a train coming!

i dont know if it help much but i got my luv with a blown head gasket, replaced the radiator and water pump, then took the ehad off resurfaced and a new head gasket and it ran like new, plus its got ofer 300k miles on it, barely any cylinder wear ... dont believe me? i got it from a family member that baught it new, blew the original motor and rear end out shortly after getting it (just bad luck i guess) and its been running on the original trans for nearly 5000k miles and its still strong it even survived me beign downright mean too it, and smoking the tires every other day.. lol

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My LUV - R.I.P. 1979-2009, you will not be forgotten...

I had (www.psengines.com) reman my engine. 3yr/100,000 mile warranty. Included shipping both ways and they test run the engine and give a full report on its performance. The cost seemed a little high until I check what it would cost for me to do it myself, and that was getting all the partsand machine work for mechanics cost. VERY little difference in money and that did not include my labor.

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1980 4X4 LUV