LUVTruck.com

hi i own a stock 79 chevy luv 4x4 and i was woundering what kind of axle it has on it. it is the stock axle. i would like to know as much about it as possible. i aslo want to order a locker but i dont know were to find one. i would like one for the front and rear if anyone knows any sites for them please let me know thanks alot!!!

can't get a locker for the luv front, nobody makes them. however lockright makes one for the rear

The lockright locker for the LUV rear has been discontinued. There might be a few of them out there still, but I wouldn't bet on it. Precision Gear made a Powerbrute LSD option, but I dunno about availability on it. There is only one locker for the LUV front, and you make it yourself with a welder. I wouldn't recommend it though as you'll be getting out to unlock a hub every few feet on the trail each time you want to turn a corner.


The LUV rear axle is sometimes known as the 'Isuzu 10 bolt' and it was also used as the rear in Isuzu Troopers up to mid 87, Isuzu Pickups (4wd up to 86ish, 2WDs somewhat later), and also in the rear of Isuzu Impulses. There was a Limited slip for the factory Turbo Impulse that can be put into a LUV rear, but good luck finding one as Impulses are rather uncommon and turbo ones more so. After 87, the Isuzu front axle was redesigned to use the same 10 bolt differential that had been used in the rear. While some of the parts are interchangable (mostly internal, like the diff itself) the front 10 bolt and rear are not identical. The pinion is moved higher I believe.

When the 10 bolt moved to the front, the rear was replaced with the 'Isuzu 12 bolt' rear axle, which had disc brakes and was stronger. I've heard them compared to a Dana 44 in terms of overall strength and the ring gear is thicker than the average D44. I've never measured a 12 bolt rear end against a LUV, but I have heard of at least one 10 bolt to 12 bolt swap being done on an 86 Trooper. The 12 bolt has Locker options still from ARB and can be geared to match the front diff in a LUV (aka the isuzu 8 bolt).

Another option would be to get a Toyota rear axle with the right gearing and get a locker for it. Isuzu support in the aftermarket is tough to come by.

i've figured something out. i believe that an '86-up 1 ton toyota axle from a 2wd truck(sprung under) with an 8", 30 spline rear end is the same width as an '86-up 4wd toyota axle. this would mean that you could swap in the 6 lug 4x4 shafts and basically just bolt up the axle!

Just wondering can you still get a limited slip for a Luv rear end?
Did any of the troopers come with limited slip?

could this be that hard to find limited slip for a luv/impulse?
http://www.reiderracing.com/pgpowerbrute.htm

it says "SELECT FRONT AND REAR" for isuzu...17 spline -- that's what the luv has, right?

Yep, that is the Precision Gear Powerbrute LSD. I know a lot of places list them, but I just didn't want to say absolutly that you can still get them. A lot of places still list Lockright lockers too, but unless they have one on a shelf they'll have a hard time getting one to you. I haven't heard anything about the PG limited slip being discontinued though. I have just learned never to count on anything until you actually call and check availability on this stuff.

I think Auburn made the original LSD used in Impulses, but I'm not sure. End result is the same if tou find an Impulse or get a PG, though new vs used I usually want new. (and end up settling for cheap and used )

kyle_22r wrote the web site for the limited slip rear but it doesnt say it will fit a luv? how do i figure out how to order one for a luv?

i want to put a straight axle up front but i dont have much money to spend on the luv because it breaks all the time. but i was woundering how much it would cost me to do the front axle swap and if i would have to switch out the rear axle to. and if anyone has the parts to do it and would sell them to me how much would you sell um for? one last thing what would be the best axle that isnt going to cost a ton?

find the axles from a '79-85 4x4 toyota. 6 lug, sprung over leaf springs front and rear. all you'd have to figure out is steering and front spring and shackle hangers