CollinMB

Just realized I missed my 6 month project update, so we're going with "New year, new me" Update. Got the seats: I got tires on the wheels and got them onto the chassis: Then we cut the front end off the cab to make it easier to do custom mounts for the suspension: Built a tube frame: Decided we didn't like the tube frame: Shortly after we started crunching some numbers on how expensive it was going to be to do the turbo engine build and it quickly started not making sense... Especially when I had a more powerful engine not being used. We just had to free it from it's body. Sorry Z: Hello VQ35: The engine output is double straight out of the gate and has a much higher power threshold. in the end, it just made sense. This was a pretty big change in and of itself, but it didn't stop there as some more build plans got hit by the project creep, which resulted in: This may seem like a pretty drastic move, but this was always the "end goal" for the truck. The build direction is what I'm referring to as a "Mini Ultra 4" which may give some hints to some other future changes. In addition to all the new parts, I've started to set some money aside to purchase a Plasma CNC to start making some custom brackets, as well as potentially designing some parts for resale. I had to pump the brakes for a bit on this project due to my house starting to fall apart around me (a story for another time), but now I'm starting to build back up some momentum. Hopefully we can get some of the fab work going soon to get the new engine in and start working on the engine cradle, roll cage, and new suspension mounts.

They're JDM style, but they're reps. The sweepstakes was called My Modathon Sweepstakes and was a joint thing put on by ebay motor's instagram an a couple of youtubers: Here's a link to the IG Yes and yes. I could only justify new because the cost from used to new wasn't very much and my work is chipping in as well.

6 months later aint bad right? So updates on the truck, we started working on getting the rear suspension sorted out: I used a 6"Ø x 1/4" thick piece of pipe and a 3/16" plate to make the strut mount for the rear. This is pretty close to the Miata suspension geometry, but unfortunately I couldn't get it to sit inboard enough to run high offset wheels. Therefore, some new wheels were in order: I ordered up a set of Rota Kyusha in 15x8 +0 offset. These were budget friendly and should work for the look I'm going for. One day the truck might get some nicer JDM wheels, but there is still a ton left to do. Part of the reason we haven't been able to get much further than this is due to the rains in CA wreaking havoc on our work area. However, we were able to amass a bunch more parts thanks to winning an Ebay Motors sweepstakes: Thanks to the sweepstakes, I now have: - Garret GT2860RS - Equal length manifold - Aluminum turbo pipes - Aluminum radiator w/ fans - 40mm throttle body - Limited slip diff - Exedy clutch - Harnesses We also got some new tools: - 1200 DV Tig Welder - Roguefab tube bender & notcher - Portaband with a table We also received a generous amount of Ebay credit that will be going to supplies, an eventual engine rebuild, ECU, and some new seats. Those things are still a ways off though. Other updates, I picked up a slightly newer Datsun pickup as well: My wife & I traded in her old car for a 2023 Frontier Pro-4x. I thought it only appropriate to get a 2nd green Datsun pickup. Hopefully now I'll have an easier time getting metal supplies, transporting parts, wheels, etc.

haha, thanks. Unfortunately I don't think there would be a huge market for them.

Update on the truck, the engine is in again: Backing up a bit though, a number of changes have happened to the truck over the last year. To start things off, we tore the truck completely down and removed any unnecessary mounts. We even opted to redo the front subframe to get it to sit better on the truck. We took a lot of time getting everything perfect and even blasted the frame: After that we primed the whole thing for the time being. We do plan on coating the frame, but that will be after the remainder of the modifications are completed. After that we got the front subframe sitting better and leveled out and reattached it as well as figured out a simple mounting solution for the rear subframe using some L-channel: we got the engine, transmission, and even the rear diff mocked into place. The last piece of the drivetrain that needs to get sorted is a new driveshaft. We started working on figuring out a plan for mounting the suspension as I have decided to keep all of the mounts attached to the frame as opposed to welding the front into the cab. A tube bender will be in my near future. All the updates can be found in video form over on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thoseracingguys Several other things have happened over the last year that have prevented continuous work on the truck first up, my wife and I moved into a house around the same time as my last update. The shop I have been working with finished the molds for my Miata hardtops and we started producing them: For the handful that may be interested, my website is https://www.cb3fabrication.com/ I also picked up yet another project, my friend was selling her high mileage 350z: I have some fun plans in store for it. That brings everything up to speed for the last year.

Update on the truck, engine is in

That's a weird looking truck

I know, I bought my headlights and tonneau cover from you XD

My buddy's place is in Chino and I'm in the process of moving

Truck update. My buddy and I started a YouTube to do the truck build and some racing stuff. If you like it, check it out. If YouTube isn't your thing, I'll post some random updates here and there as well.

Quick Update: With temps finally cooling down we moved my 521 over to my buddy's place so we can get back to making some progress on the drivetrain swap.

This is the thing that I always find funny when people complain about "How restrictive California is." There are a lot of laws, but the cops don't actually give a fuck

What body shop is doing the work? My buddy has an FD RX-7 that he's looking to get a super high quality paint job on.

Eventually I'll be grafting I them into the wheel wells/engine bay