TT's '85 720 single cab

[trenchtractor]

I've been lurking for a while, only signed up on the weekend... thought it was time to introduce myself proper-like.

 

I'm an Aussie, north Queenslander... I'm a mad keen bike nutter. I love bang for buck mods. I'm more likely to do something just because it's different.

 

I've rebuilt 3 volkswagens, 1 x Beetle Baja, 1 x Myers Manx, 1 x Type III station wagon (squareback). Along came the wife and kids, so came 'sensible' cars.

 

I need a bike transport vehicle and I had an opportunity to score an '85 720 single cab, sans tray. 2 weeks later and I was given an '83 720 dual cab, also sans tray. Both diesels, one SD22, the other SD23. In typical form, I've decided to stick with the diesel thing... my neighbour is a diesel mechanic working on prime movers, owns his business, loves working on race stuff... he's my diesel tech support, since I'm a diesel noob.

 

Build hurdles:

 

1. Floor in the '85 is shot. Floor in the '83 is fine. Cut and shut.

2. SD23 is nowhere near hard enough to suit what I need.

3. No tray.

4. Brakes. I am a brake whore. I drive like I ride. I need HUGE brakes. And disc rears.

5. LSD. I don't want to turn this into a million dollar project. I embrace the Ratsun way.

6. I have two gearboxes, one F4W71B and one RS5W71B. I really want a FS5W71B...

 

Build plans thus far:

 

1. Cut the rust out of the '85 and replace with panels from the '83. Luckily, the good panels from the '83 line up almost perfectly with the '85.

2. Seems like the SD22 crank and conrods will make the SD23 a 2.5 L. Seems easy enough. Engine rebuild kit. Decompress a little from the 20something:1 compression ratio... hmm.

3. Supercharger... I'm looking for 3-5 psi at idle and up to 20psi or so at redline (4,750rpm or so). My tech support advice is this is the go. And it's different. Goal is 240+ ft/lbs.

4. Custom tray. I have a sneaky little idea. I really want style side, but can't find one so I'm going to cut a mold of the side profile and fill under the tray I build to make it look like a cut down style side.

5. R33 brakes would be ideal... but I am still working on compatibility issues...

6. Disc rears... this could go a number of ways.

7. LSD...? Well, a cut down ford 9"? Or a Toyota Hilux LSD from a fourby? Would the hilux axle housing be the same width? Who knows. I'm researching so much stuff right now.

8. I'm gonna try to mash the 5 speed column shift internals into the 4 speed floor shift housing... maybe it'll work.

9. Paint, interior, wheels, bumpers are all going to be sleeper...

[trenchtractor]

Pictures...

 

 

 

 

 

The yellow one is the parts bucket. The red one is the keeper...

[slam_dat_sun]

I like that 4 door it is pretty sweet

[Sealik]

Interesting....

Sounds like you have everything in 'hand'....:cool:

Noticed the ridges in the roof....most likely to stabilize.

When there are 2 extra doors.

[Sealik]

Also....looks like the window 'rubber' failed manys moons ago and most likely contributed to the total deterioration of the roof.

Oh....well....Here nor (and) there.

Guess that was a given .....as per pic :)

[trenchtractor]

I like that 4 door it is pretty sweet

 

Yeah, and it'd be right convenient for the family... but it's body is totally shot. It has a load of good condition original parts though, and it was free!

 

I'll try and get some more photo's of the rust problems soon... I need a wire wheel for the grinder and the family is naggin me to finish the new air conditioning in the house since it's rolling round to summer here...