LUVTruck.com

Hi All, Haven't been here for a while and Last time i was here I sold a elect dizzy. Wish I didn't sell it now..Anyway I moved Back to Calif and kinda inherent the 4x4..So now since I haven't touched one for 10 yrs im relearning all about them and trying to figure out what direction I want to go with mods and such. I know I want to build it up so as I can get to some good fishing spots but nothing too crazy..I just got the engine out last night and now I have to rebuild the 1.8 as my brother fried the enging by not changing the oil and running it out. Crank was already turned 10/10..Dang engine didn't have but 20k miles on it...Uggggg...some people and im related to him..lol..So Im now coming here to you guys for some input and direction..I know one thing is I want to replace the trans for a 5spd and still have the 4x4 work..should I keep the 1.8 or go a differnt route? Here is some pics to start with and I will be posting as I progress along.

hell that crank looks like it would take a .020 or .030 cut, if your not racing why not?

I bet it would be just fine with a rebuild.

A.j.

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

Cut, magnaflux, polish.

Even race engines run cut cranks.

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1976 2x4 LUV: 4-speed, 32/36 Weber, desmogged, 3.42 gears

My '76 LUV and Impulse 5-speed for sale:
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=24576

I would cut the crank as well. I have never had a problem. I have two Luv's and my son has one as well, all with the 1.8 L in them and I can't say it will tow my roughneck boat very well but that's why i have a regular truck. The Luv does just fine getting itself around with normal hunting and fishing gear. I'm in Montana and don't really have any problems. Good luck.

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In life there is the "Way things should be" and then "There's the way they are".

2005 Silverado 3/4T Crew Cab
1981 Luv 2WD
1979 Luv 4x4 Currently going through Open Heart and Cosmetic surgery
1995 Roughneck JetBoat
1981 Luv parts trk

im going to pull the crank out tomorrow and take it down to the machine shop then...thanks guys..and info on the 4x4 trans that will work?

man i am in the same boat as you i dont know much about luvs at all, but i got my crank, cam polished and blanced, got the blocked bored .75mm got the head shaved 20 thousands, bought matching piston set. so i hear these trucks can go anywere, a guy i know has a stock 4 banger toyota like a 80 somthing and his truck will go any where he wants it to go so the luv should do the same.

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Chevy luv with a redneck grabber green paint job lol...
these are links to my luvs pics.
http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad68 ... v%20truck/

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=22598

'86 or '87 gasoline Trooper has the MSG-5 tranny you want. Will bolt right to the 1.8, use the same clutch. Get the trooper rear drive shaft, the 5sp rear output splined shaft is larger. You will need to fab a tranny mount, lengthen the front & shorten the rear driveshafts, relocate the shifter holes in the pan.

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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.

what is so special about the 5 speed vs the 4 speed for the 1.8?

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Chevy luv with a redneck grabber green paint job lol...
these are links to my luvs pics.
http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad68 ... v%20truck/

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=22598

O.D. Get the front drive shaft with the trans (direct bolt in ) the stock rear yoke fits but the shaft needs to be shortened. You will have to build a cross member (i used the one from the trooper ). Heck i will see if i can down load the pic's of my conversion for you. Oh and if you find a 86-87 Trooper that is complete also get the upper control arms and the power steering .

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

Here are some pic's of my 5spd. conversion. I also have some ov the power steering and upper control arms as well as rebuilding the rear prings using Trooper leafs for a small lift about 3 in.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

Wow TJ. That look awesome! Looks like a bit of work but will be worth it for that fifth gear..Power steering too?? Jezzz im going to get spoiled ...lol...here in Bakersfield we got a place that sells engine master kits best prices ive seen.. complete kit for $370 includes everything including the cam so I figured i might as well go for the full rebuild. now im on the hunt for a trooper

What is so special about a 5 speed vs the original 4 speed? better fuel? will it go faster? ugh.........lol

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Chevy luv with a redneck grabber green paint job lol...
these are links to my luvs pics.
http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad68 ... v%20truck/

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=22598

The 5th gear is an over drive giving better fuel mileage as well as taking the high rpm out of the engine while cruising at highway speed.Also low gear is slightly lower but hard to notice.There is a chart somebody put up showing the gear ratios but i don't know by who.

With the 5spd i can cruise at 70mph and the motor is in a comfortable rpm range and the motor don't sound like it's going to blow to bits. It was well worth it.

I put the truck on a hoist and two days later was driving it and that was cause of getting the rear drive shaft shortened.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

wow so i wont be able to go 70 mph and if i do my motor is gona be tapin high rpm and blow my new motor this is so stupid.....this thing better be good off road if not i will blow it up.......i am puting 2-3 inch body lift cranking t bars......puting tsl super swampers on the stock 14 inch rim they are like 28-29 inch tall and 9.50 wide......

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Chevy luv with a redneck grabber green paint job lol...
these are links to my luvs pics.
http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad68 ... v%20truck/

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=22598

I used to drive 55-60 miles back and forth to work in Idaho and drove 65 with the stock type tires and i would just cringe cause the motor was just screaming,it had more but that was all i was willing to push it.With taller tires you will get an overdrive effect.

On my truck i have the 15" wheels and the same as stock on a Trooper tire giving me more of and overdrive.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

These are pics of my truck with a T Bar lift and rebuilt rear springs using Trooper leafs,Power steering ,and Trooper upper control arms and spacer kit.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

Well i will be leaving 14 in rims and puting on LT225/85R14 super swamper tsl radials.....puting in a 1.8l motor bored 30 over and the head has been shaved 20 thousands.....

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Chevy luv with a redneck grabber green paint job lol...
these are links to my luvs pics.
http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad68 ... v%20truck/

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=22598

hey what do u mean rebuilt the leaf springs?

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Chevy luv with a redneck grabber green paint job lol...
these are links to my luvs pics.
http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad68 ... v%20truck/

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=22598

I the pic's of the rear springs the main leaf is the stock spring and the rest are Trooper leafs,the long one being the Trooper main leaf with the eye's cut off.

The Trooper springs have a lot more arch to them and the leafs are thicker.

I was going to use the Trooper springs as a set but the spring bolt is almost two in's forward and means moving the front mount forward about 2 in's and that means pulling the bed and fuel tank. NOT Or the axle would be rearward about two in's and if i remember right the spring pack was like 1 3/4 in's longer then the Luv spring.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s