1976 620 airbags

[SteezySkreez]

Just picked up my Datsun 620, the guy didnt even know what he had picked it up for 2 grand and have big plans for it. Converting the brakes next week ant then eventually airbags and then an SR20 into it. Wondering which one should come first the air bags or the motor. Also it is original paint but have been thinking about painting it? Wanted to know what you fellas think./>

[red76datsun]

Nice ride.  glad someone picked this up. saw it on craigslist for a while.  Suspension first.  The truck needs to handle the motor before hand.  Also im in love with the steering wheel.  specs on it?

[SteezySkreez]

I have no idea, the motor is older than the actual car, i think it is an L16. But i honestly have no idea. The wheel came with it when i bought it. I have little to no knowledge of these cars i know they look cool and are fun to drive. But each day im learning more. Also im going to buy a disk brake conversion kit. Is there any that you would specifically recomend?

[mr 202]

i love how clean it is! i vote motor first if youre gunna do it! but dont listen to me lol i bagged my first one then the motor blew up and i got discouraged and took it apart lol

[SteezySkreez]

i love how clean it is! i vote motor first if youre gunna do it! but dont listen to me lol i bagged my first one then the motor blew up and i got discouraged and took it apart lol

What motor did you put in yours that blew up?

[GRpufnstuf]

Welcome! Your Truck was spotted in the "sightings" under the General tab not too long ago. I think somewhere near PCC or something?

 

My truck is that color and people on the streets really like it. I'd say drive it a while and see if it grows on you.

 

What makes you think it's an L16? 72.5-73 should be L16, '74 L18, then L20 after that, I think, I'll get a correction beat down if I'm wrong. The block should have a casting telling you what it is.

 

I'm very pleased with my L16 for the time being. I am planning KA swap down the road though.

 

Which brake conversion are you going with? Are you staying with those directional wheels? When you do e SR are you going DE or DET?

[SteezySkreez]

Welcome! Your Truck was spotted in the "sightings" under the General tab not too long ago. I think somewhere near PCC or something?

 

My truck is that color and people on the streets really like it. I'd say drive it a while and see if it grows on you.

 

What makes you think it's an L16? 72.5-73 should be L16, '74 L18, then L20 after that, I think, I'll get a correction beat down if I'm wrong. The block should have a casting telling you what it is.

 

I'm very pleased with my L16 for the time being. I am planning KA swap down the road though.

 

Which brake conversion are you going with? Are you staying with those directional wheels? When you do e SR are you going DE or DET?

I took it to a Datsun shop and the guy said it was older from a 73 or older and it was an L16. And brakes i'm not sure i've found a couple conversion kits online but i don't know which one is better than the others. And the idea was to put an SR20DET on it but i want the most power i can get out of it. So i think i'm going to have to do some more research. What makes you want to swap it with the KA?

[GRpufnstuf]

KA is a fairly "easy" swap. redeye makes the motor mounts and e CanAm box makes wiring easy for KA or SR. Also the KA makes more torque when you compare NA versions to SR.

 

Edit: OH! And there are KA parts EVERYwhere, the NA torque specs and parts are my reasons for KA swap. I'm building a DD for SoCal use. I don't need turbo power just good mileage and reliability

 

Some threads to check out

 

Sweet and clean KA swap

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/58600-benjammins-1973-620-ka24de-restomod-build-thread/

 

SR swap and more in progress

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/56533-wallrockets-620-build/

 

Air bags..

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/53934-74-and-then-some/

 

Aaaaaand your sighting(mid page), I've been waiting for mine and it never comes. Luckyyyyyy (my best Napoleon Dynamite impression)

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/3867-sightings/page-408

[SteezySkreez]

KA is a fairly "easy" swap. redeye makes the motor mounts and e CanAm box makes wiring easy for KA or SR. Also the KA makes more torque when you compare NA versions to SR.

 

 

Some threads to check out

 

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/58600-benjammins-1973-620-ka24de-restomod-build-thread/

thanks man, and yeah i go to school at PCC. Thats funny. One girl came up to me and gave me a stick and some stuff. Was there a picture of it on the sightings page or what?

[Eagle_Adam]

That girl was my GF ;) she was pretty stoked to see a new Datto at school. I posted it in the sightings

 

[kelowg]

if ur dead set on sr20 then do motor first. sucks to have to redo bag job to  get motor to fit. u really should have whatever motor, brakes and wheel/tires installed before bagging it, so u can get the stance ur after. i ve seen several bag jobs redone because they did plan for bigger wheels or custom irs  setup.

[willz]

I agree with kelowg. Sort out your powerplant and get that done. Suspension seems to be part of the whole sr swap dealio. I thought about it at one point, but in reality I'm going to be more than happy with my LZ22 in the long run and I like the cleaner look and the sound of a built NA motor on some dual sidedraft carbies

 

just my .02

[SteezySkreez]

What disc brake conversion would you guys recommend? Thats the first thing on my list to do next week and want to make sure to get the right ones!

[willz]

Ive got a 78, so it came with disks up front. Use the search function and you should find tons of info. some people do the D21 spindles and calipers and some other junk, some people do the 78+ swap. Its really up to what you find.

[Eagle_Adam]

Let's start with what swaps you've looked into and why.....

 

 

Cus your not the first one to come one here asking to be spoon fed info ;)

[GRpufnstuf]

I'm wondering if D21 drop spindles would be useful for later airbag conversion. Seems like they'd leave more space for the bag when things got low? That could help narrow your brake choices. And wheel choice can affect your brake options as well.

 

Have a look in the brake section of the homepage. Most of the threads (involving 620s) seem to be about conversions.

 

Also look for users BeeBani and Mklotz (bluehandsinc) they have a lot to do with brake conversion.

 

I'm just starting to get my front suspension and brake conversion 'kit' complete enough that I can start thinking about putting it together.

 

 

 

On a side note, I'm starting to wonder about the year of your truck. I don't think I've seen that color on trucks newer than '74. And your Tach block off plate is the same as mine was before I added the tach. Just a "D" centered in the circle rather than a smaller D above a centerline in the circle. Maybe there was a '73 parts truck in your truck's past?

 

But then It has the later radiator with the top hose on the driver side and I think that grey box on the passenger inner fender is the little emission counter box thingy?

 

What is the weight writen on that silver/gold sticker on the center/top of your firewall? 2500lb or 2750lb?

[Pacific coast Datsun]

Great 620 you bought. The L motor looks clean...i say leave it factory & enjoy it.

[Eagle_Adam]

This ^^^^ until you have real plans in place and less questions. I'd hate to such a nice truck messed up

[Llittle_Llama]

I have to agree too... no need to get halfway through a project and then it just sit until you get the cash or time to finish it. Personally I would crank the T-bars up front, block the rear and drive it for a few months. Start deciding what you want to do first and then start a parts list, and a savings jar. when both are complete order parts and toss them on ;)

[]2eDeYe]

Whoa, what is up shifter :)

 

 

Welcome, I second or third the enjoying it first.

[ggzilla]

No wonder he sold it - it needs a better engine, airbags and brakes. With a bit of work it will be awesome.

 

$2000 sounds about right for a good condition body that runs and drives well. Congratulations!

[Llittle_Llama]

Whoa, what is up shifter :)

 

 

Welcome, I second or third the enjoying it first.

 

Not much, I'll always have the datsun love so I come in and lurk from time to time ;) there have been a few times (like 2-3) that I came on and answered a question or two and then slipped out but I mostly just come look at all the projects and then disappear :( I try to get on at least once a week though :D

[JNHEscher]

One for the bagging. If you do, I'll let you know where to get the stuff and what to avoid when you start on it.

[Eagle_Adam]

so is this your official build thread?

 

 

I need somewhere to post my findings : P

[BenJammin]

Looks pretty decent as is.   Mine was pretty cool as it was when I bought it (I just didn't realize it.... kind of like you saying the po "didn't realize what he had").  I ran around in it for about a year before I started making changes.   Looking back, it had some issues but I went nuclear on it with the mods.

 

If anything, just for peace of mind and safety, convert to front disc brakes and go thru the rest of the system before anything else if that hasn't already been done.  Along with that, check the steering links for anything janky.

 

After those two major things,  the most important  is to come up with (WRITE DOWN!)  a list of goals for the truck and stick to them.  Please re-read that last sentence at least 10 times.

 

 Believe me !