LUVTruck.com

Hello everyone! Thanx for providing such a cool and resourceful site. I dont yet have my LUV, but if all goes well in negotiations (i.e., if his wife and my girlfriend both approve the purchase), then I could have it by the weekend. I cant even tell you all what year it is...I just know its a 4x4 and has a smoked engine. I havent even seen it yet, but at $200, I just cant pass it up, and I work with the guy and have known him for 15 years, so I think I can probably trust him.
I've got big plans for the little LUV. I'm less into the street scene and more into the hardcore off-road stuff. I'd like to build it up with some Dana 44s and an 8 or 10 in lift riding on 35 or 38 inch Intercos. In addition, and since the motor is already toasted, a 4.3L Chevy and a TH350. If I can find an NP205 for my '79 K10, then I'll pull the NP203 out of it and throw it into the LUV.
I have been scouring the 'net the last couple weeks looking for similar buildups and just general info and specs on the LUV, but I simply cant find crap, really. I have purchased a Haynes manual from Ebay thats on it's way, so hopefully that'll help.
If anyone knows of a similar buildup to what I'm looking at doing, any info on how it was done and how it's working would be greatly appreciated. I'm a bit skeptical about the strength of the stock LUV frame, even though it's fully boxed. I'm sure additional crossmembers will be needed, and maybe even some cladding in some key areas to increase wall thickness and strength. I plan on jumping this little bugger every chance I get, and dragging it through the rocks, so it's gotta be tougher than hell.
Anyway, its good to be here...looks like a great group. Cant wait to become involved.

Welcome to the site, and I hope the negotiations go your way

Ditto on the welcome.

You may not know but the Luv already has 6 crossmembers. They are a pretty stout frame. I haven't ever jumped one or anything but don't be suprised if strengthening the frame isn't as much work as you think it will be.

post a pic when you get your truck!

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Resident lurker

When I read

I thought it read - ......
I had to go back and re-read that again....LOL

good luck with everything!

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03Cobra

I thought it read that way too.

thanx everyone for the warm welcome. We'll see about the stock LUV frame...I still have concerns, but if they are made of sufficiently thick metal, I might be okay. Frame flex is also a concern, but if there are 6 crossmembers as you say, and they are fairly strong, I might be okay. That is one major advantage to building a trail-rig out of a LUV...they are so dang light, you can get away with using the stock components in many cases. Over time I can see this little guy getting more and more radical though, and even tossing the stock frame down the road in favor of a custom-built one.
Sorry about the confusion about my negotiations comment. You guys know, if I had a wife AND a girlfriend to clear this purchase with, I'd have much bigger probs on my hands!! Seriously though, my girlfriend is in favor...she thinks the LUV is "cute", which bugs me a little, but as long as she doesnt ming that I buy it and waste gobs of money and time on it, thats okay with me.
One quick question: do the 4x4 LUVs have a solid front axle or IFS? It'll be no biggy to swap in a solid axle, but it would save alot of trouble if they already have a live axle. Also, does anybody know what transfer case the LUV originally came with?
Thanx again and I'll keep you all posted. Have a great day everyone!

luv stock is an ifs. don't know about the xfer case...

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Resident lurker

Thanx diarmadhim for the info. I'm thinking for the meantime I will rebuild the stock 1.8 engine instead of messing with the v-6 and tranny swap right now. what do you all think?

Unless you have access to machine tools that's gonna be spendy........ i know i can score a pick and pull drivetrain for less than $300.

I'm $1700 into my 4 cyl drivetrain now, that's with a bore and a few other mods and i'm still wanting more........

Welcome!!!!!

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Thanx wherestheluv.....maybe it would just be worth it then to take a harder look at the v-6 swap right out of the gate. I've got to take a look at the existing engine...the guy said his kid ran it out of water, but it didnt seize up...it'll still turn over. It sounds to me like it might just be a blown head gasket, so it might be a fairly cheap, quick fix. We'll see when I get to working on it. Right now I've got to find a home for a '50 Chevy dragster project that is languishing in my tiny garage to make room for the LUV. Anybody wanna buy a bunch of old Chevy parts sitting on an NHRA-approved chassis and rollcage? Didnt think so.....
thanx guys!

if it turns out to be a blown head gasket, do yourself a huge favor and get the head machined. g180's like to eat head gaskets. typical for the older bi-metal engines. i went through 2 heads before i figured this out......never was a quick learner though....

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yes VERY important to have a flat surface with an aluminum head!

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03Cobra

yes, I've gathered from other sources as well that blown head gaskets are a commonality of LUV's. I'm hopeful, since he said it would turn over. I'll check the compression to make sure the rings arent screwed, provided I can seal up the head problem, but he did say something about water blowing out near the front of the head, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm so jacked, and I still havent even seen this truck yet! I can see what you guys get excited about LUVs for. Actually, its nothing new to me either. A buddy of mine in high school had an old LUV, and we went everywhere in that little pickup. Great little rig.
As for axle swaps, I thinking more and more about Toyota solid axles. They should be close enough on the width, and they are well-reputed in 4-wheeling circles for light-weight rigs. That project is a long ways down the road, but by my nature I start thinking of this stuff years in advance.
Thanx again for all the great info guys...you've all been a big help and made me feel very welcome.

'Yota axles would be a good choice, you might want to check out http://www.independent4x.com, they sell a mounting kit for mounting a D44 out of a Grand Wagoneer under Isuzu Troopers and Rodeos, which are heavely based on the Luv. Side note, the Luv was built by Isuzu for Chevy. stock front is a Isuzu built 8 bolt IFS, rear is a Isuzu 10 bolt. gear ratios varied, but i believe that 4.10 was the most common for the 4x4's. a note on the frame strength, i don't think you'll need to do any serious modifying to the frame. I'v done some "small" jumps with mine and had no problems whatsoever, and i know others on this sit will tell you things similular. Welcome to the site and good luck with you project (asumming you get the truck)

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'80 Luv 4x4, 3" BL, 1.5" SL, 32/36, 2.25" exhaust...and fuzzy dice.
'95 Toyota 4Runner Limited 5-Speed.

Thanx a bunch rezkid! that helps me out alot. This project will definitely be done on the cheap, but if nothing else I can look at the mounting kits you spoke of and get ideas on how to go about constructing one. I have been thinking and looking hard on axle specs (namely track widths) to see what will be the easiest, cheapest, and best performing package for my LUV. I'm curious what out there came with a D44 that, stock, is comparable in width to what I'd need for a LUV.
I dont have the truck yet, but the deal is done, the LUV is mine. He told me to come pick it up whenever I want. Just a matter of time fellas...
rezkid, sounds like you're into the same end of the hobby as I am. any info whatsoever you have would be great. Thanx!

Well I stopped to look at it tonight, and I'm pretty happy. Still dont know when I'll bring it home, but I'm pretty sure it's a '79 model and appears to be in fairly good shape. Some rust in the front fenders and rockers, and the paint isnt perfect to be sure, but all in all it seems to be in decent condition. Might rent a dolly this weekend and haul her home! Yes!

WEll good!!!! yeah pretty much on the same end of things as you, haven't gotten to the point of switching axles...yet. So fare i have a 3" body lift, and soon to go on are stiffer torsen bars and taller rear shackels, to give it another inch or so. The price for that mounting kit is in the $610 range, so it's a bit of change, but it comes with every thing to mount the axle to the truck. Spring hangers, springs(2 1/2" lift Wagoneer springs) bolts, u bolts for mounting the axle to the springs, and a bunch of other stuff too. the only thing you need to supply is pretty much the axle and steering stuff to mount it to the gear box. and a new front drive shaft of course. The company also sells a rear srping over conversion kit that moves the axle underneath the spring pack, instead of on top of the spring pack. ALl of this stuff is built for Troopers and Rodeos, but i'm sure most of it can be adapted to the Luv frame. Well i hope that helps ya out a little bit more

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'80 Luv 4x4, 3" BL, 1.5" SL, 32/36, 2.25" exhaust...and fuzzy dice.
'95 Toyota 4Runner Limited 5-Speed.

Thanx again rezkid. I did look at that site...some cool stuff there man. That kit is nice, but yes, quite pricey. I have some good buddies with a shop, and I think we can probably fab most of that kit ourselves, including the rear-end kit. Really its just a matter of finding a set of axles for my LUV, but you've already helped me out alot there with the Wagoneer info. Once I get the little bugger home I can take some measurements too and see whats gonna work for me. I'm sure I can round up some full-size D44s pretty cheap, but anyone know what it costs to have axles narrowed?
Thanx again man...taker easy

Hello, and welcome to the site!!!

I hope this can be of some help,

http://www.geocities.com/alfalfa_831/

This guy has done some major work on his luv, including a 4.3 swap. He is open to e-mails, so he may be able to help you.

His truck his also in the gallery under mark montana.

Thanx Eziekiel! I'll check his site out. I really appreciate all the help everyone has been giving to me. It may be awhile till I'm able to really get to work on it, but when I do, it'll be nice to have these resources. I'm kind of an information hound too, so I'm constantly collecting data and such. Thanx again everyone! Have a great weekend!