LUVTruck.com

What is involved in removing the front clip?(radiator support, fenders) I would like to cut out the inner fenders, after I get the truck going, I will be running some 17's, so I need the extra room. Also, I'm sure it is easier to mount the motor with the front clip off. I can figure most of it out, I just can't see how the inner fenders connect to the firewall.
THanks

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No LUV anymore, but still in the GM truck family. Running a lifted 2002 Silverado Z-71!

Hate to tell you this but the front end of a LUV isn't like the newer trucks! The inner fenders and core support are all one piece welded together. Here is a pic of mine (crappy) with the fenders off and you can see the inner fenders which are welded to the firewall too. Taking the fenders and such off wont help with a motor install (Except for damage). If you do cut out the fenderwells you will need to figure out how to reinforce things. The front end will just crumble (worse than it normally would) if you get into an accident.

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Click on C.M. logo to go to my webpage


RIP R.J.B.

You can run 17's with the fenderwells but you'll need to buy 17by7s for them to fit, they might stick out of the fenders about a inch or so.Centerline rims sell the 6 lug on 6.5'' pattern and they sell 5 lug rims if your running a 9inch ford 10 or 12 bolt.

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1975 V8 Luv
1980 Bagged Luv

I did it to mine. I made a radiator support out of 1 x 1 boxed steel tube and it is removable.

I cut out the inner fenders all the way to the firewall. It is a lot of work but it can be done. If you cut them out complete, you will have to relocate the brake valve and the fuse box. For a street truck you may want to leave some of the structure at the top. It would be stronger and a lot easier to do.

I looks very clean and took off some weight, but there is no easy way to do it.

slick

the removable radiator support makes the engine installation a lot easier. The radiator comes out attached to the radiator support.

I would send pictures, but I am not great with computers
( I suck).

I removed mine all the way back to the firewall too. I left a little at the top where the fenders bolt down so there is some structural rigidity there. enough to get by. I need to gut it some more after i get some metal to fab up some supports tho.

Check out the drag LUV for sale on Ebay...

Here's one of the pictures...



-DK

i saw that. i wonder if the whole truck is tubed out also u guys that dont have the inner fenders do u guys drive ur truck when it rains?

thats a full tube chassis race car... i am willin to bet there isnt a single inch of the stock box frame on it. It should be light enough with no motor for you to easily pick that front end off the ground and move it around. any guesses on what that thing weighs in race trim? i bet about 1500 if that..

I have a daily driver (camaro Z28) to drive in inclement weather. i dont have a set of radials for the LUV so driving with slicks in the rain is not a good idea anyway.