LUVTruck.com

I picked up another bed and tailgate and decided slice the end off and add it to the trailer since there is so much frame sticking out in the front. Planning on notching into the existing bed from the rail 4" and make the bodyline the same down the sides. I figure this will give me lots of practice welding. The camper shell will have to go, I plan on making a bed cover or have a tonneau cover made to match my 72.

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Three Amigos

If there are any LUV parts for sale in California I think you sniff them out first.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Well, I do spend a lot of time on Craigslist. The bed was on there for months and when it dropped to $75 I decided to go for it. The tailgate however was listed for about 2 hours when I jumped on it. It was stored away since '73 in a hanger. The reflectors were like brand new so they went on the 72. My luv is my main hobby and now that the kids are grown I get to play a lot.

I would love to have that topper for the truck shows!

Looks almost like it would line up better if you took a few more inches of the top from the bed lip down just under the body line. Kind of an extra notch to replace the part at the front of the bed where the body line curves up at the front corners of the stock bed.

I like the look of that though. That pre-75 tailgate makes a nice front to the bed with no lights in the corners. I may have to steal this idea for mine.

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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

800xl, that is the plan. The pic doesn't show it too well but there is about 3" extra at the top from the rail down to the body line and I will have to trim another 1" below the body line of the add on to get rid of the part that turns up toward the cab. I left some room for error since the sawzall went through the bed like butter. I just got lucky finding the 73 bed and really scored on the tailgate. I want to make a roll pan where the tailights were eventually too.

Oh yeah duh, I see the gap below the extra part on the 73 bed now. Very slick. I have not seen a topper that matched up exactly to a LUV in years, but if this ended up the same length as a longbed that might be possible. It looks like you are pretty close to that now. A nice sleeked back front and color matched glass topper would make this even more amazing than I think it will be with just the bed alone.

I'll be looking forward to more pics.

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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

I haven't done a thing to the trailer for a while but could not resist another tailgate I came across. This one is nicer than the other louvered one and I dig the license plate box.

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Three Amigos

Accidentally DM'd you, sorry!

The tailgate is awesome.

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it be like that sometimes

Thanks, I am sorry I missed the chrome latches that used to be on it. The local chrome shop quoted me $200 to chrome the ones I have.

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Three Amigos

Hey where can I get a cover for my bed like yours? I looks really cool.

They don't sell them off the shelf anymore. Best bet is to try an automotive upholstery shop and have them make one for you.

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Three Amigos

Shoot, that sounds like it'll be kind of expensive.

Shouldn't be too bad on the price. Check with a couple shops around your town.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

I have been working on this for the last couple weeks. I decided to go with the factory body seam on the bed instead of trying to butt weld it on. I gave up most of the extension but I think my welding skills are better suited to this. Plus I have plenty of leftover sheet metal to patch everything. I ran out of cut off wheels but made some progress today. A long way to go still.

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Three Amigos

Started welding it up and its going together pretty good. The front of the bed is wider than the rear section by 1/4" on each side so some persuasion was needed.

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Three Amigos

Had some progress this weekend. Made my patch panels and started welding them in. I got one side welded to the bottom and there is about 1.5 inches to trim off the bottom edge of the bed. I have come to the realization that body filler will be my friend...



I think I found a spot for the other half of my Datsun grill

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Three Amigos

The wife has had enough of the hammering and grinding so I am stopping here for now. It is useable at this point but a bit rough still.

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Three Amigos

As someone who was in the trailer business the worst thing on a trailer that has no tongue weight. Especially if you pull it empty. My little 5 buy 10 has the axle farther back than most trailers. I always have people ask me why the axle back so far. Pulls like it is not even there. I drew the plans and my son built is a vocational ag class he took in high school. It won a award at a ag show.

I do not remember a percentage on that. Use a bulldog tongue hitch. No guessing if it is latched. No forgetting if it is latched.

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75 Luv, 350 V8, TH350, Camaro rearend. New 1975 Luv Step side. Stock for now.
Grandmaster of the "Shade Tree" way.. I can't see the yard for all the cars. Come on down and we will sit on the porch and watch the grass grow.

Really, let me have her number so I can set her straight.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.