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has anybody thought of putting leaf springs on the front of a LUV for the extra lift? If so what all have you done and what would be the best springs to use? I've thought about doing this but thought i would see if anybody has done this yet. I know if i do this i will have lengthen front drive shaft and steering column and a few other mods but somebody please tell me if you have done this or ever thought about doing this. And also are the U joints the same on a LUV as on a K5 Blazer i know LUVs are not Chevy but just asking...

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When in doubt floor it. If you can't floor it then you've doubted yourself.

No, U-joints aren't even close. You'd have to get one of them nifty adapter u-joints, or just get a bigger u-joint holder thingy for the shaft.


You are talking about doing a SAS, right?

Actually i have a 4x4 system from a '75 K5 and i want to put the axels from the K5 on the LUV but keep the original engine and tranny. I already know how to mount the axels the the frame even though the K5's is 3 inches wider (i'm a good welder and a decent fabricator) I was just wondering what i wouls need to bolt the drive shafts from the LUV to the K5's axels. Where could i find one of those adapters? Thx for the info and once i start I'll post pics. It'll be fun moving the steering system lower to stay even with the axels but I'll get it done. If you have any better ideas plz let me know. Thx again.

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When in doubt floor it. If you can't floor it then you've doubted yourself.

sorry i meant '72 K5

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When in doubt floor it. If you can't floor it then you've doubted yourself.

Crossover steering would let you not have to lower the steering box, but is also just a better system. Are you planning on doing the outboard leafs as well, or are you planning on running v like springs? I'd like to not have to run outboard, but its the only solution I've come up with....


I know a lot of off-road suspension/driveline specialty shops sell the adapter u-joints, but the full size to luv is a big jump, I'm not sure if they'll have that dramatic of an adapter.

Yea I plan on doing outboard unless I can find another solution. And that will suck if I can't find an adapter because I really like the four banger and four speed plus I'm currently rebuilding the engine. If I can't find an adapter for the K5 what would be the next best set of axles?

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When in doubt floor it. If you can't floor it then you've doubted yourself.

The best axles and springs to use would be the early Toyota 4X4 set up as they are the same width as the LUV and a whole lot lighter then the full size Chevy axles.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

Yet the strength is lacking. Likewise, a wider track is much more stable whilst off-roading.


Even if you can't find an adapter, I wouldn't change axles, I'd change driveshafts. Custom driveshafts aren't too expensive, and would be a lot stronger than stock anyway.

A driveline shop can make you driveshafts to connect the K5 axel to the LUV transfercase.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Lacking strength if you using a bad V8 yes but with the stock 75-80 horse motor not a chance of tearing the Toyota axles up.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

40 inch tires don't need a lot of horsepower to tear up little axles.

Ditto "luvrv8" Just have shafts made by a driveline shop.
In the early years the LUV 4WD were conversions. They mainly used jeep axles, springs, and cross steer.

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