TWright33 Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 First time posting on the sight. A few years ago I searched for a 521, but I didn't have any luck. Here is Ms any model Datsun is hard to find. I just so happened to mention something about one in front of someone the other day at work. Well by word of mouth, turns out a fellow I work for has one sitting out by his barn he needed gone. It is his father in laws and he is in bad health and is cleaning up the property. So after some talking, I will be picking the truck up tomorrow. I wish it was in better shape, but I can't complain too much considering I actually found one. I will be purchasing the truck for a grand total of $100. Did I mention these are the original owners, and still have the title? I will be doing a frame off restoration on her. 4.3l and 5 speed from a Sonoma I am picking up next week Air Suspension Not sure on wheels (I like the looks of the Titan spare wheels) Here are some more pictures. I will have more tomorrow when I pick it up. I am also needing a tailgate :blush: Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 Welcome B) Looks like you have some work ahead of you, get the rust issues fixed before dumping a lot of time into it. Are the floor boards still in it, or have they rusted out? Is it a 1971? Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted July 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 I'm not sure about the floorboards yet. The pictures are just of what the seller brought me. I'll be laying eyes on it for the first time tomorrow. The seller disnt know the definite year either. I am expecting thee floorboards to be gone. Which isn't a huge deal. I can get good prices on materials through my work. The seller did however say that almost all of the rust is only surface rust. I'm hoping this is true. I want to make the least amount of patch panels as possible! Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Well good luck, I hope it's a good surprise when you get it home, it takes time to make patch parts and put them in. It's definitely a 71 or 72, if it has shoulder belts, it's likely a 72, if it has no shoulder belts, it's likely a 71. Let us know how it turns out. :) Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 nothing a power a washer and some fresh gas cant fix.Oh and lower it and your done.good find by the way and welcome aboard. Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted July 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 After a lot of huffing and puffing we got the truck loaded up on the trailer to haul home. The fellow I bought it from was also letting me use his trailer (we work together). The tires looked a little "iffy" and he informed me before we left "These here are car tires, so be sure to say a prayer before you leave. I'm not too sure if they will hold up." :huh: Sooooooo, 5 miles before I get to my shop this happens Hit a pothole in one of these amazingly smooth Mississippi highways :sneaky: and blew both tires at the same time. So I spent a good part of my July 4th sitting on the side of the highway waiting for some help. We did get it home, however I didn't get to look it over as much as I had hoped. I did notice the hood is rusted through on the front nose so that will be another body piece that I need to find :blush: I got another lead on a 521 I am going to be checking out here soon. Maybe I can find some good panels on it. Also the Sonoma that I am buying to use the engine from gave me a good idea. Depending on the width of the outside of the tires, I may be doing a complete frame swap with the Datsun. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted July 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 No progress on the Datto this week... I had previous plans to take care of. Me and my lady of 3 years will be getting married. I proposed Friday night. We set the date for early November. She had no idea what was going on, she was so shocked. Quote Link to comment
TENDRIL Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 congrats and welcome to ratsun Quote Link to comment
420n620 Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 Welcome to Ratsun. If your looking for 521 parts, let me know through PM. Got a buddy parting out one. if it has shoulder belts, it's likely a 72, if it has no shoulder belts, it's likely a 71. :) late 71 521's had shoulder belts also. Just seen one that was dated 8/71. for the record. Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted July 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 I'm going to pick up the Sonoma this evening. I will be leaving for vacation Wednesday so I'm going to try to get some work in on tearing the Sonoma down when I get back. I did have someone contact me about this little jewel they have they need gone. They are around the $200 mark for what they want. It will be about a 2 hour drive to and from where it is located. I may switch this project over to a 620 build. I will know for sure this evening 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 How come all the datsun trucks you find look like the box has been on fire? :lol: I like 521s, so I vote for that one, but in the end, i would go with the one that's in the best shape, first. :lol: :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted July 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2013 How come all the datsun trucks you find look like the box has been on fire? :lol: I like 521s, so I vote for that one, but in the end, i would go with the one that's in the best shape, first. :lol: :lol: :lol: :rofl: I have learned very quickly that it is hard to find any Datsun truck around this area. Much less one in decent shape. From what I can tell from talking with the people on the phone with the 620, it is going to be overall in better shape. Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted July 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2013 Welll I snapped some more pictures of the 521 yesterday. I still haven't gotten anything done. I may have to hault most progress until after the wedding. A better picture of the donor truck I popped the hood and found a friend :no: Monday I also picked up a new buddy. She is a Weim. Her name is Ollie Pearl 1 Quote Link to comment
mattyhacks71 Posted July 20, 2013 Report Share Posted July 20, 2013 Thing looks like it was left in the bayou, but I dig it :thumbup: Keep it up I want more updates!!! Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted July 20, 2013 Report Share Posted July 20, 2013 No progress on the Datto this week... I had previous plans to take care of. Me and my lady of 3 years will be getting married. I proposed Friday night. We set the date for early November. She had no idea what was going on, she was so shocked. Dude its not to late to back out now.lol Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted July 20, 2013 Report Share Posted July 20, 2013 Congrats first of all,and second not that truck cant be saved but it looks to me it would be cheaper to find another 521 else were and pick it up or have it shipped to you.In the long run you will be happier.just my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted July 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 Well I have another lead on another 620. The man sent me pictures and said his wife wants it gone. I will upload pics of it Monday. It's 1000 times the truck this 521 is . Maybe a mod can change the title of this thread once I get it? Quote Link to comment
4perrev Posted July 21, 2013 Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 Congrats and welcome to the house! By the looks of it, you have a lot o work in front of you for the 521. I'm with Wayno on the 521 vs the 620. Nice snake in the sonoma! Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted July 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 I got some pics emailed to me of the 620 I will be picking up The man told me a while back (don't really know how long ago) he was going to change the brakes on the Datto. He fooled with it and couldn't figure out how to do it so he left it alone. He waited too long and the drums rusted up and locked and that is where it has sat ever since. She looks to have some rust on her, but if I was a betting man I would say it is just surface rust. He said he even has the tailgate hanging in his shop. He wants a whopping $250 for it. Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Not a big fan of the 620,but it does seem to be in better shape then the 521,620's just dont have the character though like 521's do.but hey its just my 2 cents. Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted July 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 I know exactly what you mean I like the classic style of the 521 front end. It seems more classy. Then at the same time I like the aggressive eyebrow look the 620 front end has. It looks like I may be parting out the 521. I will cut patch panels, take off, package, ship, and whatever to anyone that is needing parts. After it seems I have parts what I can from the 521 I will be hauling her to the scrap yard Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted July 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 Does anyone think it will be worth my time to try to part out this 521? If not I'm going to scrap it to fund the 620 purchase. Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted July 29, 2013 Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 I would be interested in the small brackets that are on the sides of the bumper, and the rubber biscuits on the apron, that hold the brackets. Quote Link to comment
TWright33 Posted August 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Still contemplating whether or not I want to stay with the 521. I think I like this body style too much to not build it. Here's an artsy fartsy I took (Find me on instagram twright2933) AND................................................. I will be picking this KA24DE up with auto trans this weekend. Super pumped about this 2 Quote Link to comment
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