LUVTruck.com

My 79' is my everyday driver. Right now I'm averaging 130 miles a day. It runs fine, no problems. There are however a couple hills on the drive that just kill it. They aren't real big, but I lose tons of power and speed on them. I've got 205/75/15's on it now. When I got it, it had 195/70/14's, It handled the hills much better then. Is there anything I can do to help with hills aside from going back to 14's? I don't mind the 14's, I just don't want to have to find a set and buy tires. Thanks

Downshift to third, that should get you close to the effective final drive ratio you had with the 14" tires.

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The light at the end of the tunnel, may just be a train coming!

I'm downshifting to 3rd but it'll only pull through 50mph or so in 3rd, running about 4k

I know exactly what you're talking about. I am running 15" trooper wheels and I have a couple hills where I have to drive here (yes there are a couple hills in Kansas, it's not all flat ) and I have to look out for the police before I get it up to about 70mph and when I top the hill I might be going 55mph if the wind is right.

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"Fork: an instrument used chiefly for putting dead animals into the mouth." - Ambrose Bierce

best solution......... bigger engine and Overdrive. or you could always drop to the 4.56s in the rear if you have the 4.10s.

A.j.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykgDNjeTa0g

In my humble opinion, the most commonly overlooked way to reclaim power for your LUV is to put a thermostat controlled electric fan on it. It has done worlds of good for my LUV, and I think it ran me around $100, vs. who knows how much for a whole different engine, or a new carb/intake/headers. Plus, it doesn't do anything to the smoggability of the truck (a real big plus if you live in CA, 'cept you live in MO). Supposedly it makes a 5 hp difference (which is quite a bit for an 80hp truck...)

I put a 10" pusher fan between my radiator and the grill. Keeps more space in the engine compartment... I sometimes wish I had a bigger fan, maybe a 12.

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

Good suggestion on the fan, I'm gonna look into that. Prolly not gonna put a new engine since I've only got 12000 on the new S&S motor that's in it. It's got a webber and soon to be new exhaust, prolly not goin with a header but who knows. I'll more than likely just end up finding another set of stockers and swapping them back on.

nitrious oxide in a 20 shot would probably last a summer in the stock motor.

worth a shot if you can build engines.

A.j.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykgDNjeTa0g

Don't forget about an Offy intake if you are looking for a little extra performance. Still waiting for a few more people before I do another order.

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http://www.purerockradio.net/

How much is the intake? I put a new valve cover gasket on today, while I was in there I adjusted the valves, Holy Cow Wow! What a difference, just doing the valves gave me a ton more power. Runs and idles smoother, handles the hills much better

Before I adjusted the valves I'd been averaging about 18-18.5 MPG.at about 200 miles and it normally takes 11 gallons or so. I went to Tulsa this weekend in the LUV, 430 miles round trip, I filled up at 280 miles and it only took 11.4 gallons which is 24.5MPG!!! It's never done that good, best I've ever got out of it was about 21.

That's definitely an increase worth the price of a valve cover gasket
Hmm... sounds like I'm going to have to do that.

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

Remember, these trucks were underpowered when new. I can't see the hill from here, but you maybe should be thankful your nit topping the hill in second gear at 35 mph. They are torque-ey, but not big on horse power.

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

On a couple of the hills I was topping them at 35 in second. It's doing much better now, still struggles a bit with one but it pulls the whole way. It's running better now than it has in the 2 years I've had it.

Do you know the % grade and length of the hill that you're speaking of? Might help us visualize your situation a little better. 35 still doesn't sound right.

Oh, I just finished adjusting my valves and HOLY CRAP!!! Big difference... thanks for the insperation.

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

I don't know the grade. I know that the hills it struggled with the most were the long drawn out ones. Not super steep just long. Not sure if you're familar with the roads but the worst were the trips to St. Louis and the trips to Joplin from Springfield. Basicly I-44 east and west of Springfield, lots of long drawn out hills.

That would have never crossed my mind. Do they make 'em that small?

The bottle would probably last the summer too.

Have you checked to see what your points are doing lately? Being as 6% is the max allowed for interstates, and the average speed limit being 65, you might be experiencing a misfire caused by high rpm's and a worn out set of points.

Yeah... had this brainstorm when my truck started acting up today... 65mph, 6%grade, for about 2 miles. It felt like my coil was firing on every other lobe (test this by taking a light, wiring it to power, and grounding it through the (-) side of the coil. It should strobe evenly, but if your points are toast, it'll suddenly start strobing at a different pace.)
should have thought of this one for ya earlier...

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

I've got new points, the truck is running great eversince I adjusted the valves. I hauled 800lbs of short steel from work last Thurs and it ran great.

Perfect!

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