LUVTruck.com

Im asking those of you who have done it, how hard is a 350 swap into a luv? and another thing about how much cash will i be looking at to do one? I would read the article here but for some reason it wont download . Thanks in advance

Are you on a dial-up connection?

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If at first you don't succeed, try it like your wife told you to do it.

It depends on your technical capabilities. If you are mechanically inclined and have tools, I would say this swap is fairly easy. Its almost as if the V-8 belonged in there right out of the factory. Its definitely easier than other swaps I've done in the past. There will be some fabrication and good ol american enginuitiy involved but I'm, sure you'll work it out.

as far as cash goes.. that also has to do with your abilities. How much of the work will you do and how much will you have to pay somebody else to do. I did my own swap with swap meet parts and a motor that was given to me for about $1200 that includes motor and trans mount from Hooker, a 71 vette radiator, mandrel bent 3" exhaust, block hugger headers, a TH350 trans and a bunch of miscellaneous stuff.

Yeah i am on a dial up (56K).
And as far as being mechanicly enclined goes, im going to school to be a mechanic and my dad is one, so skill isnt a big deal. My dad told me that his 57chev needs more power so i will be able to get his old 327 as a "graduation present" so all i need is the tranny axles and a t-case (i still whant it 4wheel drive).
My big question is how much frame reinforcment if anny is needed

frame reinforcement? none. unless you're rolling a nasty motor or start getting into a custom rear clip 2x3 mild steel. etc. then it wouldnt hurt to have a cage tie it all together. I have run a 600hp smal block between 100% stock frame rails no problem.

from what ive been reading, keeping the 4X4 with a 350 swap is dang near impossible. you need a adapter plate for the tranny and even then the izuzu trans cant handel all that american muscle

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I like my steak like I like my women, young, tender and bloody.

All I need is my weed, women, and wine. -Edge City Outlaws

hummm... all i realy need to know is how much frame reinforcment is needed! IE do i need to box it or just run plate on one side...
And i wasnt even thinking about tryin to use anny stock drive train after the v-8

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

Which part of the frame are you asking about? Most of the frame is already boxed. That's one of the nice things about the LUVs.

I added another section to the information page that has all the info in "zip" format so you modem guys can download them easier and watch the progress.

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If at first you don't succeed, try it like your wife told you to do it.

Mepr - not sure I follow you.. box what? I ran a 600 hp motor in my LUV and didnt do anything to the frame besides weld the hooker mounts to them. My tubbed luv did have a customg 2x3 Art Morrison clip so I had to cage it to tie it all together but stock frame? Leave it stock.

As far as a 350 swap into a 4x4. I have never done it but i have done 4x4 Datsun V-8 conversions using a jeep straight axle front end and a jeep transfer case with a TH 350 trans. Anything is possible!!! its all a matter of how hot your torch is and how good you weld. Good luck with your project

Alright cool, thanks Luvsadrag i didnt read your previouse post about using the stock frame. Yaeh to maintain the 4x4 i know im going to have to go strait axle (looking for a jeep dana 44) and the rest of the drive train shouldnt be too hard one of my friends has a bunch of spare trannies and t-cases. He parts out trucks for money. Thanks for the help guys!

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

Oh and thanks ben for putting up the zip format swap article.

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