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 Post subject: Straight swap axles
PostPosted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:02 pm 
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So I just picked up a 1978 4x4 luv and was wondering if there is any straight axle swaps to do. I'm new to the truck scene so I don't know exactly what I can do. I was hoping there was some axles that would be able to swap straight over and fit under without having to have them shortened. I don't mind if I have to make them work with a little modifications just curious what will work because I still want to daily it


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 Post subject: Re: Straight swap axles
PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 5:58 pm 
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Late 70s early 80s Jeep wagoneer front axles are popular for the LUV/Isuzu. The diff is on the correct side to hook to the stock trans, and the width is close enough to work. I don't recall the best years to use though, but I do recall if you pick the right year you can get same 6 lug bolt pattern as the LUV rear and gears to match. The other plus is that they used a Dana 44 which is plenty strong for just about any motor in a LUV that is a daily driver. I think if I had the time/money I'd got for this in the front and use an Isuzu 12 bolt out of a 88-91 Isuzu Trooper for the rear.

I've also seen older mail Jeep axles used in the front, there were a few companies back before the factory 4x4 LUV came out that put those in as an aftermarket swap.

I'm not sure on the diff positioning on Toyota axles in the front, but that would be another place to look.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Straight swap axles
PostPosted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:07 pm 
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Use a '79-'85 Toyota pickup/4runner front axle, move the springs atop your stock rear. The Toy axle is 55-1/2", your LUV rear is 54"- close enough- & the Toy axle is 6-bolt passenger drop & most were 4.10 ratio to match your LUV rear .
A narrow-track Wagoneer D44 is 61", an Isuzu 12-bolt is 58"- close enough as a pair but the Wagoneer front is too wide for a stock LUV rear axle. You will have to swap both axles if you go with anything other than a Toy front.
BTW 1979 is the first year for factory LUV 4x4 pickups.

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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.


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 Post subject: Re: Straight swap axles
PostPosted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:10 am 
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Sorry I forgot to mention that is was two wheel drive and had the 4 wheel swapped into it, I believe it still has a stock axle in the rear and a Dana 30 in the front. It's all ghetto rigged up. I'm gonna do some serious modifications in it to put a 327 in it with a Muncie 465 paired with a 205. I have those already thanks to my dad having extra parts lying around, I was hoping to put Dana 44s in it but I will go with damn near anything that can handle up to the 327. Just don't want to blow up any diffs haha


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 Post subject: Re: Straight swap axles
PostPosted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 5:56 pm 
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The Isuzu 12 bolt is at least as strong as a D44, if not a tad stronger. I believe the axle shafts are a bit thicker, but otherwise very similar to a D44. 4.77 gears and 5.38s are available for it as well as the most common 4.56 gears. It would hold up to a 327 pretty well.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Straight swap axles
PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:58 pm 
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I'm looking to keep the front axle but definitely want to swap out the rear. The front and rear are the stock chevy 6x5.5 (I believe). I don't think I would be able to find an Isuzu 12 bolt up here in Washington locally.... But I think I might look into a yota rear axle, I was digging around under the truck and found my front gears are 4.10 and I still can't find anything on the rear. Could someone possibly post a picture if a rear stock luv axle so I could compare it? Still taking any recommendations on a rear axle that's not too much bigger than the front axle in there currently (53" centerline)


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 Post subject: Re: Straight swap axles
PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:54 pm 
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Manual tranny '78 LUVs only came with 4.10 gears, they were Isuzu 10-bolts, 7.5" ring gear with a removable 3rd member mutch like a Toyota. If you do look for an Isuzu 12-bolt rear it must be from an '88-'95 2wd pickup & will have the 2.6L 4 cyl engine (4wds had 4.30 gears) and most will have disk brakes. 2wd trucks with the 2.3L 4cyl had Isuzu or GM 10-bolts.
Re-read my previous response for the widths of various axles, Toyota will most closely match your front, an Isuzu 12-bolt or Rodeo Dana 44 would be next closest. Rodeos came with 4.10 or 4.30 gears but should have a tag with the ratio on a cover bolt. GT5 is the industry wide standard designator for 4.10 gears (S7C=4.30), & may be found on the firewall option plate or the cover tag.

_________________
'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.


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