LUVTruck.com

Hi all,
I'm looking at a 1972 LUV in a couple days. They guy said it has an automatic transmission, but from all the web searching I've done it looks like an auto tranny was not an option for 1972? Is that correct? If so, what manual transmissions are compatible with the 1972 motor? I'd prefer a manual tranny eventually since they usually help on fuel economy. That leads to the next question: what is the fuel economy of a 1972 LUV with an auto tranny? I've seen claims of 50 mpg, 35 mpg, and 45 mpg highway (I think with the manual transmission). Also, what is the durability/reliability of the motors in the LUV's? Also, any other advice? He's asking $750 for it. I'm not expecting a gem since I've read that the LUV's are notorious for rust, but hopefully it's not a rotted out mess. Thanks!
Jeff

There's a wealth of information on this site which I will leave it to you to use the search function to find. You can probably find more than you ever want to know about LUVs. I will tell you that I have a '72 with a manual trans, and '72 is a 1 year only engine/trans combo. No, there's no such thing as a '72 with an auto, he would have had to swap in a later LUV drivetrain. '72s have 4.56 rear ends and 25.5" tall tires which makes for hi revs on the highway. Mine's pretty well in tune and driving fast on the highway I get about 23 mpg. Don't know what I'd get driving 55 because my speedometer is broken.

Happy searching and BTW welcome to LUVtruck.com

I'm not familar with the earlier Luvs. The 76-80 motor is compatible with an Isuszu pup 5 speed tranny. Perhaps someone else that's done a 5 speed swap on the early Luv motor will chime in. =)

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1980 Luv 4x4 with a 5 speed tranny.



"When all else fails, follow the directions".

Yikes! Now I'm having second thoughts... with it geared like that I'm not sure it would be a good idea. I'm looking for a pickup with good mileage and highway speeds that won't wind the motor too much. The newer small pickups don't get very good fuel economy, hardly better than V-8's: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
I'm wondering what else the guy did to the truck, maybe he changed the gear ratio as well, we'll find out later today, although it's not easy because I don't speak very good Spanish, so accurate information is often not conveyed. Anyway, thanks for the info, that helped me a lot already, and I'll continue searching this site for more info today. Time is of the essence here in Puerto Rico; small trucks here are in extremely high demand, so if I can't find specific information, I'll post the questions here on the forum.

Hey man, I'd recommend getting it...
They're pretty reliable little trucks, and freeways aren't much of a problem...
55 is easy, and 70 is still comfortable. Of course, these trucks don't have a tach, so I can't say where they redline, but even at about 60 they get decent economy...
Welcome aboard!
-ret

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1980 4X4 LUV daily driver, as stock as can be.