LUVTruck.com

hi guys! i may be a noob to this site but i have been working with cars for awhile. i have searched this site many times and it seems everyone is doing different things with there trucks and i havent found the exact info im looking for, so hopefully someone will be able to give me some guidence. i have a 1977 2wd luv that i swaped a 2000 chevy vortec v6 with a 5 speed. it runs great but it is way to low geared for the interstate. i recently drove it on its maiden voyge 1000 miles round trip and everything was fine except it would hit the speed limiter at around 67mph. from what i have read on here the truck has a 4:56 gear (i think) and i would love to find a rear gear in the mid 3:xx (dosnt have to be lsd but that would be nice). any info on where i can buy a ring and pinion set or what i need to look for in a junk yard would be great! i and i want to stay 6 lug btw. thanks!

Research Isuzu Impulse 3rd member 3.90:1 LSD should bolt in (Here in Australia they do).

_________________
1980 4x4 KBD40 ISUZU/Chev Luv
Factory Fitted c190 Diesel Engine, ARB BullBar, Ramsey Winch, Custom Tilt Tray,

Fortunately these rear ends are interchangeable through many years, if you read the posts you will find a lot of information. I currently drive an 81 formerly diesel powered Luv, which is a rebadged Isuzu Pup by the way.
And it now has a sbc and 700R4 AOD with the stock 3:42 rear end gears, makes a great freeway flier because with the 700R4 it is turning about 2K at 70!!! In Luvs you have to find a 81-82 Diesel powered on to find these gears, but I understand that some Isuzu Pups also use these, check with Joe Isuzu on this, he knows the Pups inside and out....
Meanwhile just keep reading, I think the highest stock Luv rear ends are limited to 4:11 and what you already have. Good luck, Merry Christmas,
dusty

Your stock '77 gears are 4.10's, you had to go back before at least '76 to have 4.56 gears. There are 3rd members out there that will give you a better ratio & will swap right into your axle housing. The stock rear for a '78 LUV w/auto was 3.73, some 2wd 4sp diesel LUV/Pup's came with 3.42's, 2wd 5sp diesel pups had 3.73's. The only LSD sold in the US that will fit a LUV was the turbo Impulse with 3.90 gears, the LSD carrier can be swapped to a different ratio R & P. Look on car-part.com for LUV/Pup's through '87, turbo Impulse '88 & '89 to see what might be available in you area.

_________________
'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.

Ok I found a gu6 (342) option coad rear end from a 81 luv. Will this fit directly into my stock housing with my stock axles? Or do I need to use the 81 axles to?

The '81 3rd will fit into your axle housing, if you re-use your axles the axle bearing pre-load should remain the same, if you change axles the pre-load needs to be re-set.

_________________
'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.