800xl wrote:
81-82 LUVs (and Isuzu PUPs up to 87) shared the same axles as the 79-80 luv with some minor differences. The a-arms were changed a bit, and somewhere in that time period brake parts were changed slightly front and rear.
Common points of failure are CV joints in the front, and pinion seals in the rear. Also the idler arm shaft bushing (bolted to the frame, right side straight down from the battery) tends to wear out causing loose steering. The 4 spd trans and integrated transfer case are nearly bulletproof at least with the power a stock 4 cyl can put through them.
Most common mod? Crank the torsion bars in the front and lift the rear with an add-a-leaf or shackle lift.
http://www.planetisuzoo.com has a pretty good torsion bar lift how to written up, though I suppose we should have one here too.
http://www.independent4x.com is a great source of lift parts, bushings, and so forth. Most of these trucks will get almost an inch of lift in the rear just by replacing the worn through shackle bushings in the rear with new poly ones.
I had headache with putting in a near bearing in the idler arm. Also I never did find the oil seal that fits the bottoms of the housing.
800x, IS there any rear end out there that uses a similar rear as the luv does with the same gearing. I know the trooper is close, in size, but not the same gearing. just asking, cuz I thought it be cool to get another rend like the stock, but be able to buy a Posi kit for it.
This is a cool addition to the site.