Jaak Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Hello My name is Jacques and I live in Perth Australia. I work as Mechanical Engineer in oil and gas industry and do part-time work as a MoTeC data-analyst for local race teams in my spare time . My hobbies is working on cars, I would like to show you guys my project 4x4. Here it is my 1985 Datsun 720 King cab 3.8 series 1 V6 (buick motor) T700 with stock transfer case Newish koni dampers all-round ^^ the day I picked it up ,in all its glory!! ^^ the sh*t interior ,most of it will be ripped out the Buick V6 (holden commodore in AUS) The engine conversion I did not do myself , but is in need of some tlc. Its got lots of power down low and does awesome burnouts LOL Near future Mods: Convert it into a semi race truck for beach and sand racing New radiator set-up (current one sucks running to hot) Complete rewire of the whole truck inside and out Custom made race-like centre console with fuse box, switches and gauges Respray interior, engine bay, roll bar and inside well body. Remove tailgate and rear bumper, make custom rear nudge bar General clean up of the engine bay And... Mod plates for road use. Long term plans will be to fit some rally suspension set-up and supercharge the V6 Photos as it sit atm, tailgate and rear bumper removed ^^ moved into my workshop ready for striping :) ^^ getting rid of what is not needed My inspiration for the project Currently I am working out a brand new wiring diagram from the old Nissan one, the v6 one and the conversion manual. Worst part of build :( . But most rewarding when its done. I will hopfully have a few more photos up as my build continues :) Quote Link to comment
Smyrna720 Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 My hero! You must have read my mind. I've been pouring over websites researching transplanting an L67 Supercharged 3800 into my truck. In fact, before I saw this, I just made a post in my Newish 720 Owner thread about exactly that. Now, I'll be doing a 2wd swap so it should be much easier. I will be using a series 2 motor though, and it will be OBD II capable. More or less ;) What do you think? Quote Link to comment
nissanprerunnerdavid Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 your bumper i sooooo bad ass. i dig the roll bar and pretty much how your truck is setup haha. Quote Link to comment
Skulptr Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 PLEASE more pics of that front bumper (and how its mounted) Quote Link to comment
nissanprerunnerdavid Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Agreeeeeeeeeed. Sickest bumper on a 720 ive seen. Quote Link to comment
Jaak Posted May 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 My hero! You must have read my mind. I've been pouring over websites researching transplanting an L67 Supercharged 3800 into my truck. In fact, before I saw this, I just made a post in my Newish 720 Owner thread about exactly that. Now, I'll be doing a 2wd swap so it should be much easier. I will be using a series 2 motor though, and it will be OBD II capable. More or less ;) What do you think? In Australia it is a very common conversion for trucks , :) , and I think its an good Idea , very very fun motor to have in a mini truck or 4x4 . I will dig around and get you some proper photos of a 2wd conversion. any I will take photos of my own ,when my motor come out. as it stands now , you will need a custom made sump (maybe 4x4 only) custom engine mounts ( I will take some picktures ) and gearbox mounts with a tailshaft. in the mean while have a look here :) http://www.v6convers...u/nissan720.htm Quote Link to comment
Jaak Posted May 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Agreeeeeeeeeed. Sickest bumper on a 720 ive seen. your bumper i sooooo bad ass. i dig the roll bar and pretty much how your truck is setup haha. PLEASE more pics of that front bumper (and how its mounted) Thanks guys , must say its one of my fav part aswell . I will take some more pictures when I get home from work in 10 hours or so :) Quote Link to comment
Mr.Dean_Yates Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 not bad. im doin a prerunner build as well. 2wd, but im thinkin bout swappin a ka24det into my truck...as for everything else, its gonna go about the same lol Quote Link to comment
poopypants720 Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Is that a4x4 with an automatic transmission? Quote Link to comment
poor-mans-720 Posted May 18, 2012 Report Share Posted May 18, 2012 haha, i think it is... I see a transfer case shifter, and an automatic looking doo-dad in front of it... hahaha... That is a sharp color!! i love it with the black rims and all. really clean looking... love to hear more on the buick swap. Its something i would love to do. I hate the lack of power that my 720 has. It makes highway driving a pain in the arse. Quote Link to comment
Skulptr Posted May 18, 2012 Report Share Posted May 18, 2012 Is that a4x4 with an automatic transmission? probably the auto that was mated to the 3.8 originally... Quote Link to comment
poopypants720 Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 haha, i think it is... I see a transfer case shifter, and an automatic looking doo-dad in front of it... hahaha... That is a sharp color!! i love it with the black rims and all. really clean looking... love to hear more on the buick swap. Its something i would love to do. I hate the lack of power that my 720 has. It makes highway driving a pain in the arse. also only 2 foot pedals and the engine shot shows no master clutch cylinder!... Quote Link to comment
Jaak Posted May 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2012 Is that a4x4 with an automatic transmission? Haha , yes its an auto , from the buick motor . a Turbo 700 4 speed. the auto controls the shit load amount of torque beter that the manual , I can hardly get around roundabouts without getting it tailhappy in the rain. Quote Link to comment
Skulptr Posted May 20, 2012 Report Share Posted May 20, 2012 Your oem t case still hanging on? Quote Link to comment
poor-mans-720 Posted May 20, 2012 Report Share Posted May 20, 2012 I bet the nissan case is still there... That thing is bullit proof!!! alot of other trucks idolize them also. Gear driven, makes them tough. I wont get rid of mine for nothing. I am betting that it is!! hahaha.... oh, and STILL NEED MORE INFO ON THE 3.6 SWAP!!! I need this in the worst way. Can you take pictures of the trans, motor mounts, drive shaft, engine bay from all angles, and oil pan Dude, I will mail beer!!! :) Quote Link to comment
Jaak Posted May 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 I bet the nissan case is still there... That thing is bullit proof!!! alot of other trucks idolize them also. Gear driven, makes them tough. I wont get rid of mine for nothing. I am betting that it is!! hahaha.... oh, and STILL NEED MORE INFO ON THE 3.6 SWAP!!! I need this in the worst way. Can you take pictures of the trans, motor mounts, drive shaft, engine bay from all angles, and oil pan Dude, I will mail beer!!! :) yes still use the nissan t-case , like you said its bullet proof. The motor is coming out in 3 weeks or so for some tinkering. I will take lot and lot of pic for you. in the mean time have a look here : http://www.v6convers...u/nissan720.htm Quote Link to comment
Jaak Posted May 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 some random pics for your enjoyment... Quote Link to comment
nissanprerunnerdavid Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Your truck is pretty dope man. You got some ppl seriouly envious:) 1 Quote Link to comment
poor-mans-720 Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Thanks a TON!!! gonna start looking for a motor to swap in. see if i cant find one of these. Quote Link to comment
elfirebeasto Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 I have got to find one of those buick engines. The whole concept sounds awesome, but I need a standard trans. I have a thing about automatics, I just don't like the way they feel, or my inability to fully control the gear selection. If there is any more information you have about the swap or maybe wiring or something of the sort, id love to see it. I understand it may be hard to come by. Thanks and good luck with the future mods. Keep us informed! Quote Link to comment
Jaak Posted May 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 I have got to find one of those buick engines. The whole concept sounds awesome, but I need a standard trans. I have a thing about automatics, I just don't like the way they feel, or my inability to fully control the gear selection. If there is any more information you have about the swap or maybe wiring or something of the sort, id love to see it. I understand it may be hard to come by. Thanks and good luck with the future mods. Keep us informed! I am glad you like it , I will do a full write up (how to ) of the whole build soon , so just watch this space :) BTW you can use a T5 manual (not sure what it comes in the US ,maybe old vetts or Buick GM) , but with the power and weight in the rear it get abit uncontrolable on the street for a manual, my rebuild motor will have close to 300hp when its done. abit of progress on the new dash I done this weekend wiring diagram :( new dash , waiting on new vdo gauges control box with switches and lights Quote Link to comment
elfirebeasto Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 I was considering doing the same thing with my dash, since I need to trace out all of the wires and see what is touching metal and is causing my battery to die. I'm enjoying watching the progress of your build, and ya help give me the drive to carry on with mine. 1 Quote Link to comment
poor-mans-720 Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 Geese... 300hp.. Only 280hp more then mine.. :) gonna need to do a sas. I don't reckon that IFS will hold up to that. Quote Link to comment
Jaak Posted June 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Small update , been very buzy at work the last two months , but I manage to finish off my dash , I am not 100% happy with the finish so I am going to add so carpet to the dash ,lol. I will be wiring it up this coming weekend and then it should be installed back in. I should also have the new engine in within 6 weeks if things go my way , yay! Quote Link to comment
trackwhore Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 where did you get that front bumper made? wouldn't mind having one myself Quote Link to comment
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