LUVTruck.com

hi all I'm John. I'm thinking of buying a luv and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what to look for (the good and the bad). What kinds of engine problems have Luvs had that I should keep an eye out for? Stuff like that.

one more thing:

what should I expect to pay for a truck with a good body and good engine?

I'm looking for a 2wd

As far as what to look for, rust is an obvious problem. Since they are single wall construction any rust will be apparent on the outside. I would just look for general things, get under it and shake the drive line to see if the U-joints have been kept up to snuff. Check fluids for level and exsesive dirt and such. Only real bad problem that you should look at is head gaskets. So i might pull a spark plug from #2 or #3 (thats where the gasket always goes). If all that checks out then id say you have a winner. As far as price goes it all depends, i have seen ones as low as free and as high as $2,000. I would say a reasonable price would be about $800-$1,200 for one whith a good body.

_________________
1980 LUV 4x4, going under re-construction...

MEPR pretty much covered everything!

as for the rust also look at the floorpans and look at the frame if it is in a salty environment like up north.

_________________
03Cobra

thanks, guys, I'll keep all that in mind.

John

What they said... If you can find one with an original un-cracked dash (good luck) it has probably been well taken care of.
I waited for a couple of years before I found a truck that I bought. trying to find one with minimal rust, no holes cut out, big dents etc.
If you find one in decent shape that already has a weber, maybe a header too, it'll save you money later if you want these upgrades.

I've paid for my luvs -
1980 w/v8 $2000 this one was in 1989
1976 stock $1400 in 2003 60000 mi nice truck
1980 stock non running nice body in 2004 $200
1975 W/v8 VERY nice truck $2850 later today.

_________________
Resident lurker

Look underneath too. The same applies to the frames. Most Iv'e seen are good, but some have lots fo rust on the frame.

_________________
I want to be different like everybody else.

This is all true for some reason ppl luv to cut holes in these pickup....in my 81 diesel 4x4 when i first got it couldn;t figure out where draft was coming from and they had cut a hole in the dash floor on the driver side cause the windshield leaked

You could always get:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2468129758

And not have to worry about much.

_________________
More LUV than one man could ever need - Spread the LUV!
- 1976 Chevy Longbed - Daily Driver
- 1981 Chevy Shortbed 4X4 - Needs Help!
- 1981 Chevy Luv 4X4 - Newly put together

DDDDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was like so so....interior looked so so.....then I got down to the supercharger part.....*drool*

with a different wheel/tire setup and maybe a different bedcover the outside would look better....and cut those pipes off coming out the back also....
im sure the price scares people away though.

_________________
03Cobra

All that interior work and they leave that ugly stock base model steering wheel. At least pick up a Mikado three spoke wheel from a junker someplace.

I like the concept of the dash cover in that truck, but white looks a little girlie and would make for some killer glare.

This reminds me of another buying a new luv point though. There is a standard model and then there is a model with a bit more carpet and interior trim called the "Mikado". The base model has the ugly two spoke steering wheel, vinyl floor covering, vinyl seat, and pretty spartan door panels. The Mikado has a three spoke steering wheel (looks a lot like a grant or aftermarket), carpet on the floor, something softer on the seat, and door panels with more detail usually a chunk of the seat fabric attached. There are other differences (door switches for the dome light, etc) but I think this covers the most obvious.

I guess which one you go for is a matter of personal preference. The hose it out vinyl floor is nice for a trail rig, but the carpet would look better. Usually though, the carpet is rotten and nasty looking and the cheaper vinyl floors are still in fairly good shape. Personally I'll buy rotten carpet for the better steering wheel.

I thought about editing my post earlier to say something about the steering wheel. when I first got my truck that is one of the first things I changed was the steering wheel.

_________________
03Cobra

I want to know what part of this truck is a 72?? It surely don't look like mine. i.e.( tail light, tail gate, hazzard switch) but still a nice looking truck.

This has a great start. Paint looks really good, and 575hp yeh, I like it. However how is he going to get the horsepower to the ground? I don't know what kind of rear end that is, but battery in the front, no fuel cell, no roll bar, not tubbed out, no place to put big tires. Did he order that matching upholstery and tonneau cover from J.C. Whitney and put it in himself? I don't know about this supposed race truck. Just call me Simon.

_________________
I want to be different like everybody else.

Would be a little interesting to see how he will get it to the ground without breaking stuff......