LUVTruck.com

how can i make a stock 1980 4x4 Luv into a trail ridin mud slinger for as cheap as possible and little experience?
like i want bigger tires, a lift (what size is recommended?) maybe a bigger engine or what parts to get some more HP?
just lookin for some good ideas and maybe places that can help me like websites or stores?
i live in northwestern Washington state.

Thanks

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1980 chevy luv 4x4

if you want to upgrade the truck itself, be prepared to throw a good amount of money at it.

a V6 is a good place to start, but im not sure where you can find a transfer case and transmission to mate to it. i would recommend a solid front axle as well. start with a 4 inch lift, and as far as tires, the only thing that limits you is what will fit. check teh 4by section too. someone there might be able to help you out some more

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To the Oquirr hills for awesome thrills! Go-go 4wd, Activate!

Cheapest HP Upgrade: Electric Fan. Get rid of that mechanical always engaged POS. It takes almost 10% of the engine's total power output to power that fan all the time. A complete electric fan setup can be had for about $100.

Oh, and you could crank the torsion bars up front and put longer shackles in the back for a lift... I'm not gonna advocate this though... LUV's are pretty dang stout trucks without jacking 'em up.

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

Starting with the tires, you could just cut the front fenders and put on some 31' Tires.
I didn't want to go quite the big, and also used a 2' body lift. As for the HP. You may want to go to the drivetrain section of the forum. Some people upgrade the stock 4 banger with exahust, offy intake, and webber carb. There are others that use a bigger isuzu motor out of a trooper or an isuzu pup. The v6 and v8s are more modifications, but a lot more power.

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1980 Luv 4x4 with a 5 speed tranny.



"When all else fails, follow the directions".

alright thank you guys.
and what brand of electric fan is recommended?
and also a 10 or 12 inch?

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1980 chevy luv 4x4

I've never had problems with Derale, and put the biggest fan on it that you can. Measure the radiator core from top to bottom, and buy that diameter. I'm running a 10 inch, and it does just fine right on up to 90 degrees at idle. I wish I had got a bigger one. I prefer the pusher fan to the puller fan b/c there's far more room in front of the radiator than on the back.

Just be sure to get a thermostatic fan control. Otherwise, the horsepower that was being pulled by the fan gets shifted to the alternator and nothing is gained.

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

I bought super swamper bias ply 14x28x8.5s from jc whitney. Had to cut out the spare metal behind the front wheels. Works for me but im easy on it. 95 dollars a tire you bye a spare for a celica its probably 60 or70! used tin snips to cut out the extra metal. Looks good, easy and my truck looks kick ass compared to the way it did and rocks in snow or mud. Its a little loud but I kind of like that 35 to 50 mile an hour growl. hell I like the 10 mile per hour growl!

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1980 4x4

Hate to burst your bubble, but narrow tires are better than wide ones in the snow. lol, that's why VW beetles do so well for being 2X4. Narrow tires cut through the snow/ice and have enough pressure to get a grip.

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