LUVTruck.com

I scored a 350 smallblock from my dad this weekend for $50 (needs to be rebuilt first, but looks in good condition for the most part) I've read through the V8 engine swap article on the information pages, and have a couple questions regarding the transmission. I want to stick with a manual tranny, just for the control factor. However, the swap article states that an auto should be used. What manual transmission can I use for this to be a relatively bolt-on procedure? Also, how difficult is it to maintain the 4wd on the truck? I'd love to hear from you guys who have done similar setups. The swap article is great for covering the essentials, but doesn't say anything about 4wd. Thanks!

any of the chevy 4speeds BW Super T-10, saginaw, muncie. a BW T5 or T56 MIGHT work too

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1978 LUV Truck 2WD
450 "Small Block" Chevy
3.70 Ford 9
28x10 Goodyears

Maintaining 4WD after a V8 swap pretty much requires swapping a stronger solid axle into the front end. The stock LUV front end is very capable of being torn up by just the stock motor, and a V8 would easily twist parts into a pretzel. The rear is a bit stronger, but still not up to any kind of serious off highway use.

The V8 swap article here is entirely focused on 2WD trucks. Building a 4WD V8 LUV opens up a whole lot of other problems which would take an article twice as long to explain. I'd recommend looking over at http://www.4x4wire.com at some of the info they have regarding axle swaps and engine swaps. Just so you know, putting in a solid front axle is commonly referred to as SAS, meaning Solid Axle Swap.

http://www.independent4x.com also has good info and products for the Isuzu 4x4 market, many of which can adapt easily to a LUV.

Awesome, thanks for the info on the tranny's Luvsadrag, I'll see what I can scrounge up. Sounds like I have some serious contemplating to do on maintaining the 4wd though. Given the nature of the application I'll be using the truck for primarily, I'll have to do some serious grunting & scratching to figure out how to make it work. Thanks for the info!

hey guy hit me back and ill send you some pics of some "homemade" custom motor and tranny mounts i scored off a junk truck the are better than any store bought especially the hooker stuff
standard camaro "through bolt mounts " real sweet job somebody put some time into these babies
PM FOR PICS AND +/- SPECS