LUVTruck.com

Hey guys,

My Luv currently has a sbc 350 in it. I am about ready to take it out and put a 454 in it's place. While doing this I am going to rebuild the front end (ball joints, bushings, etc.). Do any of you have any suggestions for me on how to beef up the stock front end to accomodate the addtional 75+ pounds from the big block? Where is the best place to get front end rebuild kits for a 72 Chevy Luv? Or any other parts you guys may recommend in order to beef up the front to be able to handle the extra weight without replacing the entire front end? Thanks.

I was able to get upper and lower ball joints, tie rods, and inner tie rods at Auto Zone.
They had to order them... but they are available.

My son's truck is a '79... not sure if the suspension on a '72 is the same.

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1978 LUV Mikado - all stock with automatic/AC

Couple options,

You may run into clearance issues with the torsion bars, so if you were to remove them and go coilover (there's threads about that) then you might be better off (That's not replacing the whole front end...is it? ). Then you can do the removable cross member mod and not even worry about the torsion mounting points. If you keep the torsions, well they probably have enough capacity so just crank 'em till the ride height is correct again. That's why they are adjustible. Some things on '72 are different from all other years, but I do believe the front suspension is the same on all save the brakes. You should do the disc brake conversion, someone on here probably has a set of spindles to sell you or you can just covert the brakes over. Don't forget to get a newer master cylinder too. Most of the parts are available from NAPA Online for the later truck brake system, but the caliper mounting brackets and dust shields are not.