So let me explain something to you. I’m not asking this because some stray Chevy LUV truck found it’s way into our home. In fact we don’t have one at all… yet. As with just about everything we car guys do, there is a story behind this seemingly simple question. I’ll get to the story, but keep my question in the back of your mind while reading. What would you do with this if it showed up in your driveway?
Our son Cole is almost 14, and has been dreaming of owning a C10 for the past couple years now. He’s in love with Rob MacGregor’s Hell Boy C10, along with Rob Phillips’, and Jason Brady’s C10s as well. On multiple occasions he’s rattled off all the things his dream C10 would have, only to be completely deflated by some smart ass remark coming from me or “Uncle Crosby” that usually sounds something like “So, where is it your going to get the $80,000 to pay for all those dream parts?”
What are parents for?
After trying to convince him that a square body C10 is a much more viable option for him than a ’67-’72, I finally gave up because it’s just not what he really wants. Probably because I suggested it, but whatever. Of course while hanging out at the Ridetech trailer during the recent Goodguys Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, for the Duel in the Desert autocross shootout, he started talking to all the C10 guys. Thank god each of them reinforced the incredible expense he would have to endure in order to build a round body C10, while also trying to think of other cool options. Greg Schneider, aka Snaps, apparently was the first to throw out a truly unique option when he said “Cole, you should look at a Chevy LUV truck. That would be a good one for you to build as your first truck!”
And so it began. We are in full Chevy LUV truck mode now. We’ve found a couple that would be a good starting point, and because fender flares are coming back in a big way right now, he’s leaning towards that. Hence the one in the photos below that already has fender flares. Cool huh?!
Because he wants to be able to autocross it, cruise it, and drag race it, it’s not going to be a one dimensional hot rod. I realize the front suspension is pretty well junk in the geometry department, so we’ll either make it not junk or swap something else into it. And speaking of swaps, I’ve got a little 283 sitting in the shop that can be made into a cool 350 horsepower screamer without breaking the bank, and that’s all the power he’ll need to get started in a LUV anyway. There is a part of me that likes the idea of the Trailblazer 6 cylinder, or a Ford 2.3 Turbo combo of course, but the engine and trans options are pretty wide open with one of these I suppose.
The most important thing for him is going to be bang for his buck. He’s not going to have tens of thousands to spend, in fact he won’t have ten thousand to spend, so being smart and using take off parts when appropriate is going to be the way we go. After all, it’s his first car, it shouldn’t be perfect. We don’t want to spoil the little brat.
So give us some suggestions, ideas, etc. Or make fun of us for thinking a LUV truck is cool. Whatever floats your boat, we want to hear it.
Below are some photos for inspiration.
What would you do to it?
I can totally get with this. Junkyard source as much as possible and keep factory parts whenever possible to keep costs down. Buckets and a home mead center console. That little 283, a scrounged T5, and 10 bolt. I’ll do some poking for more specifics.
Whatever Cole ends up with, there better be a build thread for it!
First of all, a disclaimer. I hate chevies, all things GM, really. With a passion. However, I got a deal on a LUV back in the ’80’s, and when the clutch went on it, I found I could buy a Hardy V8 converstion as cheap as I coulddo the clutch repair for. So I dropped a 350/350 combo in it, and ran it on the street with 2 four’s, a manual shift valve body. It had an X pipe, Sig Erson cam, Rhodes lifters, and a few other minor performance enhancments. It was an absolute blast, and I think they are a far, far, better platform than an S-10.
I’ve also had a 302 Currier, and now I’ve got the one I’ve been wanting, an all Mopar Plymouth Arrow with a current 360/904/8.75, narrowed, of course, rear.
But to this story, do the LUV, screw the S-10!
During my early teenage years my stepdad had at least five of these things. He loved them to death, and the one that stands out was a flat-blacked single-headlight one that had been slammed to the ground. Even with the four-cylinder the thing felt like it was moving, so with a 350-ish HP V8 that little truck would hustle nicely.
A good project choice for a kid, certainly more fun to drive than a full-size. That last satin black one is some tasty stuff.
Seems like back when, the Datsun 520 was a more popular truck yet the LUV has outlasted them as a favorite. That was Gail’s first car, one of our first dates was out in the Tujunga Wash getting airborne in that thing, she was a nut. We kept it for years but the last time I sat in it, it didn’t seem like I was fitting behind the steering wheel quite as well as I, uh, used to.
Here in the Atlanta area, it’s probably easier to find a sub-$2500 round body C10 than a LUV in the same price. Road trip?
If you go with the LUV, the small block swap seems the best documented option. I’d consider a (mid ’90s) LT1 because I like EFI.
For off the wall options, how about a Nissan RB25DET? Nobody’s going to expect that, but it’s not too big for an inline six and can make decent power.
I say build it. I always liked the lines of the early luvs and have seen some great examples along with plenty of bad.
the 283 is perfect though I would back it with a T-10 or if the budget allows a T56. If money was available I’d say go find an AWD Safari or Astro and steal its chassis. Otherwise an s-series 2wd chassis with 1998-up front brakes (bigger, dual-piston caliper) and a ZR2-spec 1998-up disc brake 8.5 rear will have you in the ballpark chassis-wise. For flares I’d look at some off-road bulged fenders and graft them on. Its a small truck so 17″ wheels max to keep it looking proportional. Focus on clean and simple so repairs and later upgrades aren’t a hassle. Light weight, useable power, a stick, and decent handling and he will have all the fun in the world. Autox will teach him the skills needed to handle issues on public roads which should lead to him being a safer driver. Learning the limits of your ride in a controlled arena helps a lot in the real world. Good luck with it and keep us posted on if this plan is actually going to be put into action.
These things were like the V8 Vegas of trucks and usually the only place you still see them is at the drag strip. If your going to give this to your teenage son, I would make sure you spent good money on brakes and seat belts before I put hot small block in it.
I would look toward the Datsun 620 pickup crowd for inspiration. I have seen more of those built as all around-ers then LUVs. A bomber theme could be really cool for aesthetics. Then over do the brakes and tires and seats and it’ll feel fast cause it’ll stick then the rest of the truck can be 0 F**ks Given. That is just what I would do.
Sent it to Ferguson where it belongs!!
The truck is too good for the Ferguson mob.
Doesnt look like a trailblazer dohc 6 cylinder would work in that engine compartment without wackin the firewall,but i really like that idea with a turbo hangin off the side,remember the first dragweek had a nova wagon that ran high 8’s with one in it.if space limits ya then a 2.0 ecotech turbo cuz you can get 400 hp out of them,definately a manual trans and i’m really leanin to the matte black finish cuz thats the way my grand national was
Great choice! I like the mentioned bomber theme, or a flat OD green or tan Military (Army) theme with a pin-up and all. Flat paint is forgiving and cheaper, great way for a kid to learn bodywork. A built 283 or a LT1, hell I’d even consider a 4.8 LS with a stick and black wagon wheels. Maybe a bed side exhalst cut out. Keep the interior simple, with a killer stereo. Cheap wholesome fun and invaluable life lessons.
I had a LUV with a hot 350/TH350 back in the late 90’s. The stock rear end was plenty strong, came with 4:11 gears, so it was a blast stop light to stop light, not very good on the freeway though. The stock fuel tank was kinda small, 10 gal. if I remember right, so had to stop for gas a lot!
the black luv in the last pic with the 4×4 bed was built here in town, full custom frame, air bagged, had a 6.0 LS along with a 4l80, recently sold it minus eng and trans
as for a first truck, get him a S10 alot more parts available
While I commend the thought that that a Chevy Luv is a great truck to build, but……
I think an older S10 would do more of what he wants for less money. I know it is stereo typical stuff but there’s more parts for the S10 than the Luv. If I was 16 and wanting a truck to play with it would be an S10. I like Luvs and have owned one. It had a 350 and was a dually conversion. So freaking cool. But I was young and I didn’t have the funds to fund it. Honestly if you are 16 and trying to build anything chances are you can’t afford to spend much and trying to autocross, drag and drive isn’t really budget either. Unless dear old dad has his pockets open.
But if I were to build an Luv I think I’d go with a 4.3L V6 with a turbo. Five speed and some how you are going to have to figure out what to do with the suspension. You’ll have a bunch of money tied up just in the frontend. S10 would be cheaper by a long shot and I can find those in a junkyard anywhere.
The problem with the S10 is that he wants something old so that he can run it at the Goodguys events. Also, remember we live in California so pre-76 is a must or the smog police come after you.
As for the front suspension, I think I’ve got that figured out. Decide where I want the wheel forward and backward, as well as in and out, and then pull the front sheetmetal and remove all the factory suspension and bracketry. The S10 is much wider, so you can’t just graft a frame to it without narrowing it, so my thought is building new mounts for S10/G-Body control arms and such and set it up that way. Build it for coilovers and it shouldn’t be hard. Steering can be a rack or box. Rack might be simpler.
So in essence use the stock frame but install my own front suspension. A Mustang II Setup would work of course, but I’m not sure the geometry will be the best for what he plans to do.
Still thinking out loud, but we’ll see.
Oh I see now. I forget that you guys in Califas have to go through smog….bummer. You know you could do a Toyota Hi Lux. They were built in the ’70s too. It would probably be easier to do really. A 22R or go 22RE would work well and make power. A turbo is very possible and on a four would be pretty darn badass.
I thought this was his truck? Just kidding man. I wish my dad would have been willing to do something like this. I was lucky not to be pushing my crap. Really if he wants to compete and be competitive “cheap” I’d go with an early C10 ;67-’74. I know the ’67-’72 aren’t really cheap but still there are tons of parts out there and you’d really wouldn’t have to do a ton of fab work to make it handle. But since you are on the Luv hound just know it’s going to cost some greens. Good luck. And we can’t wait to see more.
Thanks for all the comments and ideas guys. Keep them coming!
Definitely a good plan, I love my 72 c10 to death, but its a very expensive undertaking to make them handle well etc. Building that 283 and throwing it in that luv will make a man out of a kid real quick that’s for sure! looking forward to seeing what you do. I hear from the isuzu guys that there are some interchangeable brake setups between the luv and the trooper, If I’m not mistaken you can run some big front brakes. Get him some power, get him some brakes and go from there!