Rocket Dog Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 I drove down to LA the other day to buy some parts off a 521 this kid was parting out, and decided to buy the whole truck. Project B should be wrapped up by the end of March, this one is next. Plan is to keep it pretty stock, paint it bright blue, slot mags, black or gray interior. Here's the starting point, a 1972 521. The previous owner had started to part it out, sold the fenders, windshield, and a few other items. He had stripped the truck down to rebuild it, but then was transferred out of town, when he returned back he lost interest in the project and wanted to part out the entire thing. In the foreground is my project B, the yellow 521. I have fenders, doors, about everything I need except a good windshield. Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 Oh its a start. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted March 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 I think it's going to end up looking like my first car, which was a 521 that looked like this one. Same color anyway, and slot mags. Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 Thats truck mans 521. Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Are you retiring soon? LOL This will turn out to be another beautiful truck like you Project B is.\ Curious What was Project A? Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 got a lead on the parts you are looking for send me pm Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Are you retiring soon? LOL This will turn out to be another beautiful truck like you Project B is.\ Curious What was Project A? Project A was the first 521 I bought from a guy in LA. I paid too much, didn't realize the level of work needed, but along the way the local mechanic (his son actually) fell in love with the truck so I agreed to sell it to him in exchange for mechanical work on Project C. He'll rebuild the engine, do brake work, and the king pins. The mechanic drives a 620 so he's pretty familiar with Datsuns. I plan to retire from the Navy next year, go back to school and "re-tool" myself as a history teacher. I'm not sure I'll keep both 521's, we'll see. I just like saving these guys from the wrecking yard and I suppose with each rebuild I get smarter at it. Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted March 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Thats truck mans 521. My first car as a high school junior (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth) was a 71 521, bright blue with US mag slots and big "Big O" branded tires. I loved that truck so when I hit middle age -- instead of buying a corvette like all the other mid-life crisis bubbas I circled back to buy a 521. Along the way as I bought "parts trucks" I fell into the "mommy can I keep him?" mode. Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I can't decide on a color. Blue (see above) or red (see below). Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Hi Rocket Dog, check out the red on Greigg's downunder 620. He is a Ratsun mate In Australia. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/1035-greiggys-78-aussie-620/page-17?do=findComment&comment=867461 Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted March 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2013 I'm losing enthusiasm for this one. Thinking now, I'll just do minimal effort to make it a worthwhile truck for the next guy to make it his/her own. Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted March 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Wouldn't this be kool? 1 Quote Link to comment
w_datsun_a Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Wouldn't this be kool? That is pretty cool and functional. What does the rear look like? Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted March 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 I dunno, that's the only photo I've ever found off the net. I wouldn't even know where to find a truck body maker and even if they have a size that would fit. Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted March 27, 2013 Report Share Posted March 27, 2013 Which color you paint it will be fine. You could leave it primer and the love you put into your trucks will shine through. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted March 28, 2013 Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 Wouldn't this be kool? I did that sort of, but then it is not good for much else. Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted March 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2013 If I did that, I'd want it to be a dry box truck with a rear roll up door. Maybe I can buy a used trailer and adapt the box? Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted April 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2013 New plan. Keeping this as a pickup, and instead of spending the dinero rebuilding the L16, I'll put a 5 speed and (work with me here) a newer engine like something out of a 200SX. More reliable engine, a bit more power, probably better suited as a daily driver and the yellow one (Project B) will be the pretty (stock) one. Any thoughts about where I should look for an engine? Meaning...what vehicle to source it from? At this point I want to stay Nissan, not looking to rework the firewall etc. Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted April 5, 2013 Report Share Posted April 5, 2013 my vote would be the same blue as your high school 521 and try to track down slotted mags, I am sure it will bring back lots of good memories 1 Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted April 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2013 I have slot mags, that's what I intend to mount on this truck with 205x65x15 tires. 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted April 5, 2013 Report Share Posted April 5, 2013 I would source an L20B it will bolt in in place of the L16. The came in many Datsuns. 1980 720, 77-79620 and many cars. easiest upgrade and will run automatic & AC fine. Quote Link to comment
Rocket Dog Posted April 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 I would source an L20B it will bolt in in place of the L16. The came in many Datsuns. 1980 720, 77-79620 and many cars. easiest upgrade and will run automatic & AC fine. Aren't they too 'tall' for a 521? Quote Link to comment
I'm BLUE Posted April 6, 2013 Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 That shade of blue from the first Blue 521 pictured would look great on Project C ! Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted April 6, 2013 Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 Aren't they too 'tall' for a 521? They are not to tall, they fit just fine, fact is I have had an L20b in my 521 work truck since the mid 1990s till I put the LZ23 in it recently. Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted April 6, 2013 Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 Aren't they too 'tall' for a 521? no they fit fine. the z motors are taller Quote Link to comment
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