My first Datsun, and may be my last!

[Lostcause521]

Posting some pics of my 71 521 project. Picked this up for $250 off CL and I think I paid too much. This little truck has suffered mightily at the hands of previous owners, who hacked it nearly to death lowering it and swapping in a Mazda rotary engine. It is too far gone to attempt an original restoration, so I am going for "mechanical simplicity":

 

 

 

 

No engine, no transmission, no stock frame engine mounts, just badly welded mounts for the rotary:

 

 

No interior (I have the steering wheel but it wasn't attached):

 

 

Hacked up floor pan for Mazda transmission:

 

 

 

 

Cut the suspension mount for engine clearance:

 

 

Shortened steering column (actually good for me as I am 6'6") but lost a few steering box parts:

 

 

Cut out the inner fender wells, hacked up the bed to do a body drop, hacked up the doors for stupid 6x9 speakers, and all manner of other atrocities. I am going to do my best over the next year to get it back on the road. I will be asking for all manner of advice, so hopefully you don't get too tired of me. Wish me luck!

[mrbigtanker]

Whats up and welcome aboard to the show that must go on.Dude this saturday or every third saturday of the month come on out to the portillos in moron i mean moreno valley at about 500 pm,a lot of guys show up shoot the shit talk datsun and so fourth.Check out the events section for the inland empire meet.

[mrbigtanker]

Dude a rotary in that engine bay is like a briggs and stratton lawn mower engine there so small,its all fixable and let me know what you need and i will help you source them or what ever you need.

[Lostcause521]

Thanks, I will be there. I am already making progress. I am dropping the frame off at a fabricator tomorrow to get welded up. I am trying to do everything on it myself but I am going to leave structural welding to a pro. More pictures tomorrow.

[mrbigtanker]

This saturday it starts about 500pm robert is the host with the most and i will be there with datrod,i will have the red truck more then likely again.Off of day street and the 60 frwy.

[laotsu]

The dash is worth what you payed.

[]2eDeYe]

Some hactackular stuff there, everything is fixable though :D

 

Welcome aboard. :)

 

[Ranman72]

keep your head up in a positive direction 

the truck looks to be worth at least 250 

just fix all the stupid shit the previous owner did and make it your own 

there are lots of people here that will help source parts etc if you have a go get it positive attitude 

keep us updated on the build 

[4perrev]

Damn. It's a project alright, hope it all goes well. You'll be surprised how fast things come together once you start. Welcome to the house!!