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i have decided that i no longer want my stock 1.8 4cyl. it just doesnt have enough power so i can put bigger tires on it. it doesnt even get up to 60 unless i wanna yell over my voice because the motor is just so loud. so i am going to swap it for the 2.3 4cyl. that i found off of a 86 trooper 2. im also taking the trans. does anyone know if the 5 speed trans from a 4x4 trooper will bolt to my 80/79 luv? (79 frame with an 80's body) is there any major mods that i need to do for the engine mounts? or should the mounts just bolt right on?

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This is what I guess:
maybe radiator, fan shroud for sure, the 2.3 fan is offset to the driver's side, 1.8 is centered. you will need the 2.3 motor mounts, I suspect the 5sp 4x4 tranny is longer than the 4sp (2wd 4&5 spds are the same length), probably relocate the rear tranny crossmember. Don't know about the tranny mount. Clutch & cable is the same. The splined part of the driveshaft that slips into the tranny is a larger diameter than the LUV, so modified driveshafts front and rear. You'll likely have to modify the firewall to clear the 2.3 dizzy, may have clearance problems at the tranny tunnel & the shifters may be in a different location. Someone else on the forum has swapped a 5sp tranny into a 4xLUV, so maybe they can help there-try a search. You will need the oilpan from a 2.3 2wd pickup- the Trooper oil pan won't clear.
If you can get the whole Trooper and feel up to it you can swap the power steering, bigger rotors & calipers, and the 4.56 front and rear differentials (front swap is a major undertaking). New exhaust unless yours is bigger than stock. Motors weigh the same, tranny a bit more but the LUV is lighter than the Trooper. The 2.3 will be a boost, but it's still no powerhouse.

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'78 Chevy LUV,1.9,4sp,headers,31's,SAS Dana 30,Dana 20,SOA rear w/Aussie Locker, rough body, bought new 12/4/78.
'87 Trooper,2.3,5sp,headers,31's,ball joint flip & spacer,Aussie Locker rear,Superwinch hubs,brush guard w/5.5K winch,more to come.

You'll have to beat in the firewall alittle for the dist to clear on the passenger side, my 1.8 rad cools it ok.