UFOz8MyGoat Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 I just read a post that kind of threw me back. About someones dad who had passed away and that they shared a datsun story. Well in june of this year my dad passed away. This was a custom project that we shared. He did not seem to be to into the truck but I loved it. It was my first truck and I learned to drive it without a license on dirt roads here in southern oklahoma. Practicing using the clutch on hills. So I drove it all through high school until one day I sprung a leak and cracked the head. Now it does not have as good of heads as it did and needs a radiator! Sadly that's it! Anyway I would like to share my project and get some advice on what to do? Rock the engine I have or go for these swaps I have read about with datsun cars? This has been in the family for years. Was used as a farm truck before we got it and it used to be orange , maybe even green before that! as you can see by the floor.It has been parked since 1995/1996. It was basically just welded up and painted with flat black spray paint. Has mud flaps , utility mirrors , Red and black and chrome basically as you see. Thank you in advance! I cannot find much info from the import places in okc. 1 Quote Link to comment
cyrusthevirus Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 that green on the inside floor boards is a gr8 indicator green was its first color i love the datsun classic body but only love todays computer aided engines swap love it forever more! Quote Link to comment
UFOz8MyGoat Posted November 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 This could be a daily driver as it was. My concern is I'm wanting to bring it cross country and relocate. So that is why I'm thinking about an engine swap. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Welcome to Ratsun This is funny, this is the dash I took out of my 521 flatbed work truck. This is my flatbed 521 dually, it has a LZ23 in it, it has lots of torque. What is the rearend under yours? True dually axle, or does it have adapters? Quote Link to comment
mklotz70 Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 disc brakes......then engine swap :) Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 disc brakes......then engine swap :) What are you doing up? It's past your.................. Quote Link to comment
UFOz8MyGoat Posted November 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 I've just got the original 1/4 ton rear end. That is one sweet dually! It would be nice to actually have a 1/2 ton.Mines not a dually tho it has put in some work hauling tin and peoples furnature etc. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 I've just got the original 1/4 ton rear end. That is one sweet dually! It would be nice to actually have a 1/2 ton.Mines not a dually tho it has put in some work hauling tin and peoples furnature etc. Yours looks like a dually, or the axle is a wide one, as it sticks way out past the cab/side of the truck. Mine has a nissan dually axle, which is rated at 1700 pounds. Quote Link to comment
elmerfudpucker Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Welcome to Ratsun, How about a couple of pictures of under the hood? Do you have a donor motor nearby? We have threads here from the mild to "Oh Damn!" and also "Have they lost their senses completly?" :blink: Any other plans for it? where is the rust spots at? Cab, doors, and frame solid? Motor upgrades require better brakes possible wire harness and an ECU. I would just get it running and load it up, or undo the drive shaft and tow it. Sit back and look at it for a bit till you finish you drink. ;) Quote Link to comment
mklotz70 Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 What are you doing up? It's past your.................. typically, yes, but I work graveyard now. Quote Link to comment
UFOz8MyGoat Posted November 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Welcome to Ratsun, How about a couple of pictures of under the hood? Do you have a donor motor nearby? We have threads here from the mild to "Oh Damn!" and also "Have they lost their senses completly?" :blink: Any other plans for it? where is the rust spots at? Cab, doors, and frame solid? Motor upgrades require better brakes possible wire harness and an ECU. I would just get it running and load it up, or undo the drive shaft and tow it. Sit back and look at it for a bit till you finish you drink. ;) Ok I shot somemore pictures. I was going to seek some advice before I put my money into anything. Looking around at posts it looks like my options are many!! I'm thinking A newer 4 cylinder . Not too expensive but reliable. Any suggestion are welcome as this is the planning stage. There is a bit of rust in the drivers floor and on the outside but its not too bad. I have some locals who are going to help me with the build. They are dodge guys but say that this would be no problem at all. The frame is solid. My dad had told me that the truck bed had been wrecked and that this had parts from a 70 added. It's a 1600 cc motor. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 If this is your first project, I would keep it simple, if the head was the only thing you lost when it overheated, I would get another head, and get it running. Note: If the head is to be replaced, you need to turn the engine to TDC, and then jam the timing chain before removing the cam gear and head, otherwise you will need to remove the front cover also. If your a little more ambitious, find a running L20b(76ish), and install that. Just get it running first, then decide if you want to do something more ambitious. wayno 1 Quote Link to comment
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