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ok i have a toyota solid front axle know and i get the springs this weekend so in the next week or so i will begin the upgrade. ok the leaf sprins will be easy to install cause the frame rails on my truck r identicall spaced as the toyota spring mounts so that will be the easy part.but what will i have to do to get the tie rod for the steering to my steering? i don't think it will be to hard but i still want to know what i am going to have to do. will i have to take mine off and the one off theaxle and have a machine shop try to put the 2 togetheror will i have to fab a whole new one. the yoke wont be hard cause it uses the same uy joint as my front drive shaft so all i think i have to do is get a new u joint and the yoke for the toyota.so i think the hardest part will be hooking up the steering.so if n e one can help me i would greatly appreciat this cause i want to have everything preped so me and a couple of friends can do it in 1 day.we have a shop we are going to use can my friends dad owns a welding shop so we will have everything we will need to do the swap. the second hardest thing i think will be is taking out the old front end. what will i have to do to take that out if there is n e tricks u guys know about. i know the actual axle housing only has 4 bolts holding it in so i need to know if there is an easy way to take out the torsion bars. n e help will be appreciated. thanx in advance. matt.

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1980 4x4 header stock motor lifted 4 1/2 in. in the rear and 3 1/2 in the front

i think the best way to go might be to get the toyota tierods. is the luv steering push-pull, or is it crossover?

there a couple of ways to makethe steering work .i used to race blown mud racer it was 477ci with a 8/71 blower made about 1500hp and we ran the toyota front end,we used a pinto rack and pinion and shorted the inner tie rods to make it work ,or you can do as you said and use the drag link from the toyota and a pice of the center link and weld them togather just make sure the steering wheel is centered and the tires are striat be fore you weld it

ok the tie rod that conects the pitman arms does it have a sort of ball joint on it? or is it just a bolt going thru it? if it is a ball joint can i get another ball joint with a longer stud?if so i know how to hook up the steering. i will use a ti rod end with the joint on it and attache it to a peice of 1/2-3/4 in round stock. and weld the other end of it to the toyota tie rod.i know it will work if i can get a ball joint with a longer stud on it but i need to know if i can or not. and how much do u think 2 new rotors would cost cause these are worped pretty bad. thanx. matt.

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1980 4x4 header stock motor lifted 4 1/2 in. in the rear and 3 1/2 in the front

just have the rotors turned -i think those rotors are costly

The Luv 4wd steering box is set up just like a 2wd steering box, for cross steer. A stock Toy strait axle is set up push pull. I think the easiest thing to do would be to put a cross over conversion on the toy front end. As for the tie rod you can figure out how long your tie rod needs to be and have a machiene shop tap one side for the Luv end, and the other for the toy end. That is if they are different thread.
Also I think the front of the Luv frame is shoter then the Toyota. You may have to add to it. I suggest you park your Luv next to a strait axle Toy and get out the tape measure.
Sounds Like a fun project. Good Luck!

I hate to resurect this topic as it is so old, but did you ever complete this and if so, do you happen to have pics? I've been searching through trying to find someone that actually did this so hopefully you successfully completed it.

I'm new to the board, well, been lurking around for about the last month or so, but not new to The LUV. I've owned 4 over the years all 4x4's. I'll get some pics scanned and posted sometime here. I've never been able to shake the LUV bug, but after my last one, my wife swore she would never let me own another one. Well, I think I've finally worn her down enough to get another one, at least that's what she agreed to. Anyway, when I get my next one, it will be my project and hope to make it as nice as some that I have seen here. You all have very nice trucks and do great work, I just hope I can keep up. Just wanted to say hi.

Talk to you all soon,

Chad[/quote]

hey chaddmann, where in colorado are you located?

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1980 luv sport 4x4 Just a memory now
Frame rusted from the inside. Truck stripped and now looking for a new donor in southern ohio

BCG, I live in Broomfield, but work in Greeley.

Chad

Cool!! Another Colorado Luver!!! Isnt that a long drive to work??? Welcome!!

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Click on C.M. logo to go to my webpage


RIP R.J.B.

Thank you for the welcome Tilted. I'm glad I found this place. As for the drive, I would rather make that drive than have to drive downtown everyday. It's 45 miles one way from my house, and takes me about 45 mins, where as going half the distance to downtown takes me as long if not longer. Don't know if you saw my post in the general section, but have a link to all of my past LUVs in there.

Chad

very nice chaddmann
the red one looks like it was mint. if your lookin for a luv it shouldn't be to hard out here to find one what did the dashes look like when you got rid of the luvs ? you know, there very very rare and if you did find one you'd be paying over 400 for one. i watched one go on ebay for $850
hope you find a new luv man

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1980 luv sport 4x4 Just a memory now
Frame rusted from the inside. Truck stripped and now looking for a new donor in southern ohio