Boxcar Posted May 12, 2013 Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 Had this itch to build a Datsun 4x4 for a few years. After finishing my Samurai to Datsun conversion ( another long story in it's own right ) I was talking to my daughters boy friend about it. He got very interested in the idea . So much so , that before I knew it several Datsun's and a slew of old parts started showing up at my shop. I figured I'd better build or get berried in old Datsun parts. We started with a 71 521 4x4 that Trask ( the boy friend ) had found in a field . Rusty does not describe this truck. Crude was an understatement. I ended up salvaging the frame , the L-20 B , NAPCO Dana 20 divorced T- case and the IH. Dana 44 rear axle from the 521. The rest was scraped. We opted for a 44 front axle from a Wagoneer converted to 5 on 5.5. Bobbed 18" from the rear of the frame and added a Bam Bar anti rap system to the modified rear suspension . Converted the T-case to a twin stick , using Datsun shifters from the 2 long 4 speeds tat came in the pile of random Datsun parts that the kid had collected. T-case to the L-20 with a drop pan 4 speed transmission. The frame was prepped and painted with PAR. products. The suspension was then permanently installed ( a combination of Jeep, Datsun and Toyota springs and custom shackles and mounts) Trask then managed to find a relativly rust free 1975 620, I would have preferd a 521 but it's not my truck. Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted May 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 As it sits now. I am now on to the painless wiring and bed bobbing portion of the build. I will post more info as time permits. Hope you enjoy my pain......... 1 Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted May 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 Just thought I'd throw this in because I mentioned it earlier: 1988.5 Samurie : Datsun L-20B , drop pan , conversion..... DATZUKE!!!!!! 2 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 12, 2013 Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 As it sits now. I am now on to the painless wiring and bed bobbing portion of the build. I will post more info as time permits. Hope you enjoy my pain......... Ha ha ha ha ha I... love it!!! I totally know the pain you're talking about. I used an '82 2wd 720 frame, divorced T100 from a 720, L20B and 5 speed, 'Yoda front axle swap, 'Yota top spring and F-150 bottom leaves on the front and Datsun top spring and F-150 lower leaves on the bottom on the rear. D-21 power steering and cross shaft. All on a '78 620. Looks good. Quote Link to comment
SandyMush620 Posted May 13, 2013 Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 Moar! I'm going to crawl under my Ram and see if it's possible to fab an anti-axlewrap setup like that. Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted May 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 I've used that same system for years. It's absolutely bind free. Glad you like it. Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted May 13, 2013 Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 Boxcar. I live just down the road from you. Been hoping to find more datsun guys around here!!! Is this the little 2wd primer gray truck that was sitting near Columbia steel for a while? i stopped and checked it out! I was just at columbia steel the other day picking up some brackets. Was driving a B210. Will have to get together soon. The guy that was working mentioned a 620 4x4. He drove a newer blue frontier, or was that you I talked to? Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted May 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 Not me . His name is Kevin . We call him the Calmini Kid. He's a good guy. Yes the shell is the one you speak of..... My shop is off Hamburg rd. IE: England marine. Always a busy shop. Stop buy, I always have time to talk Datsun. Nice 210... I like building unusual Datsun transplants 1 Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted May 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 By the way. I will be boning out the 620 frame as a rolling chassis soon. If any ones interested. Cheep cheep cheep....... Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted May 13, 2013 Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 Love me some 620 4x4 :)Looks great. Quote Link to comment
SandyMush620 Posted May 13, 2013 Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 Love me some 620 4x4 :) Wouldn't have one. Lol. Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted May 13, 2013 Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 Ahh gotcha. I know right where England Marine is. I can dig around and find your shop. Might have time this friday morning to swing over there. I live just up the street from warrenton HS.. Between the HS and highway 101, on 104.... Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted May 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 I may be out of town Friday. Give me a call first 338-8094 Quote Link to comment
JoeCool Posted May 14, 2013 Report Share Posted May 14, 2013 Not into off roading or 4x4, but that is a cool idea! I really like that Samauri though. Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted May 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 It's a fun ride. Actually one of the easiest conversions I have ever done. Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted May 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2013 Got the Harness run and converted to the Datsun dash only to find that the original dash cluster and bezel that I carefully hid in the loft had been crushed by the wife when she was " cleaning".OMG!!!!! Now I'm at a stand still on the wiring . Trying to decide between trying to find another cluster and bezel or build a custom dash? Mean while I started fitting the bed. I will be cutting the bed down to 5' once all the mounts are fabed. Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted May 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2013 IZZO. I will be in the shop for the next 4 or 5 days. Stop by..... Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted May 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 IZZO, Drove by you're place in Warrenton yesterday. The Datsun's gave it away. Hard not notice that 210. Look forward to getting together. By the way. Just dumped the 620 rear end at the wrecking yard. Nice rear. just didn't need it. Probably still there. Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Progress: Went custom dash. To lazy to look for a 620 cluster. Started the fab work on the body armor 1 Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Looking good. How far did you set those sliders out from the pinch line? Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 The sliders are .50" out side the pinch. The nerfs are 6.5" They have to support the exo... By the way I'm gonna steal you're shock tower idea. LOOKS GOOD........ Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Thanks for the info and the compliment. Steal away. :) Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted July 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 As soon as it cools of I will get started......again. Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted July 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 Spent the day yesterday rebuilding the Toyota IFS steering box and the Warn 8274. Not what I call a fun way to spend a Sunday. But, now the build can proceed. Quote Link to comment
Boxcar Posted November 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2013 Haven't posted here for a while. Busy summer. Had to send the kid off to collage ETC. ETC. Winter is here so I have the time to get back to this build. First thing is to start where I left off. The front bumper. Due to budget constraints ( the kid is broke ) he had $100 to Finnish the bumpers, Front and back..... I opted for 3/16 x 4" FB for the blades. The center boxes are 1/4" plate and were completed ( in ruff form ) last season. He wanted a Spider track looking bumper. This is the best I can do with 4" FB 1 Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.