cjzeppy Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 I've been Datsun-less for over 8 months, and with the tax season returning I'll have some free money to spend on a new project. A local Datsun person has a 521 potentially for sale, and it's in great shape. Was originally from the south, so there should be little to no rust. My question is are there any issues regarding these trucks that I should be aware of? Quote Link to comment
konig209 Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Electrical. rust on the floor pans. ummm idk front suspention. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Not really. They were made over engineered, so no weak spots to start with although lack of owner maintainance will take it's toll. Body rust and damage are obvious. Steering is by king pins.. basically a large door hinge. If kept greased they are ok. Once worn they can be stiff to steer, alignment problems and of course .. loose. 1 Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Just buy it,they are the nicest classic Buddha head truck out there.oh oh I will get flammed for this comment.lol 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 For utilitarian rugged good looks it's the 521 hands down. For iron fist in a silk glove... its the 620 hands down. 3 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Rust prone areas are floors (& cab mounts), bottom of doors, rockers, front fenders at the rockers, bottom of tailgate, and seam along the inside of the bed. Worn king pings, worn driveshaft center support bearing, out of adjustment drum brakes all around, hacked wiring like any Datsun, etc etc etc Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 For utilitarian rugged good looks it's the 521 hands down. For iron fist in a silk glove... its the 620 hands down. No mike you got that all wrong,the 521 is the most elegant truck on the planet,chevy ford dodge and even toyota molded there trucks from the 521.And that ain't no shit.lol 4 Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted January 26, 2014 Report Share Posted January 26, 2014 Im a baby against bondo, they can be perfect and straight but with 200lbs doors with 1 inch thick bondo Quote Link to comment
cjzeppy Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 haha thanks for the input Gents. Waiting for my tax return to go check it out. Quote Link to comment
RatVonDude Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Get one, drive it, when stuff breaks fix it, not an expensive truck to own. 2 Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 ^^ lie!!! Hahaha They are old and most need plenty of maintenance Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 The only thing you need to look out for is 620's.lol 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Get one, drive it, when stuff breaks fix it, not an expensive truck to own. I would have to agree with this statement, they really are not that expensive to keep on the road compared to a new car and it's monthly payment. I problem is when one starts to IMPROVE them, then it can start to add up, and there are different levels of improvement also, there is an L20b upgrade which is not that expensive and is a great upgrade, and then there is mrbigtankers way. 2 Quote Link to comment
cjzeppy Posted January 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 I would have to agree with this statement, they really are not that expensive to keep on the road compared to a new car and it's monthly payment. I problem is when one starts to IMPROVE them, then it can start to add up, and there are different levels of improvement also, there is an L20b upgrade which is not that expensive and is a great upgrade, and then there is mrbigtankers way. Second on the monthly payment. I'm trying to sell my Subaru WRX so I can stop paying car bills every month, and get back into a Datsun. Quote Link to comment
cjzeppy Posted January 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 I see a lot of you guys have your 521s lowered quite a bit. I guess you block the rear leaf and cut the front springs? Trying to find some cheaper mods to do to the truck if I get it. Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 front doesnt have springs, it has torsions bars and height can be adjusted by loosening or tightening torsion bar bolts, or for extra low u can re index them, there should be some info about reindexing them on here, lowering front is free, lowering back is about 50 bucks, now i have to warn u that the ride will be stiff and not as comfortable Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 but the roads in PA are nice, u can get away with low Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Here, read this thread. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/53124-the-real-cost-of-a-cheap-daily-driver-datsun/ I think there are a few different ways of looking at this. The cost of getting a project running, licensed, and relaible is allover the board. it depends on the condition of the vehicle, and what the dreaded "prevoius owner" did to it. But I think once you get a Datsun back to stock condition, it can be ran pretty cheaply. Notice I said stock. When you start modifying a Datsun, it is not going to be as reliable. or as economical. Quote Link to comment
RatVonDude Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Second on the monthly payment. I'm trying to sell my Subaru WRX so I can stop paying car bills every month, and get back into a Datsun. In California the new "STAR" smog centers are a total bitch to deal with, if your time is money then you are saving a car payment and a half every year. There are alot of parts out there for a 521's, especially with all the Ratsun engine swaps. L is short for Living in my garage too long. Quote Link to comment
cjzeppy Posted February 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2014 Good point Daniel! I have a daily driver (99 Subaru Outback) and my WRX would be considered my "project." I'm currently unsure what I want to do yet. I do however have another option in mind. My boss's uncle has a Ford Courier (similar to a 521/620) for $400. Although it's cheap, it has been out in a field for 30 some years. So it will need to be stripped down to the frame and restored. I work at a body shop, and have good skills of fabricating sheet metal to fit certain areas. I might go look at the condition of this truck, and make my decision afterwards. Here, read this thread. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/53124-the-real-cost-of-a-cheap-daily-driver-datsun/ I think there are a few different ways of looking at this. The cost of getting a project running, licensed, and relaible is allover the board. it depends on the condition of the vehicle, and what the dreaded "prevoius owner" did to it. But I think once you get a Datsun back to stock condition, it can be ran pretty cheaply. Notice I said stock. When you start modifying a Datsun, it is not going to be as reliable. or as economical. Quote Link to comment
dat521gatherer Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Currently the 2 main things to be aware of on a 521 is that the front inner wheel bearings are no longer available and neither are the heater hoses. Both can be remedied in other ways though. Windshields are hard to find. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Front inner wheel bearing is $3 at RockAuto. Or get them at any bearing supply co by generic part I'd. Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 ^^^ Whoooooo Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Wayno? Is this true? Will those bearings work, ive heard negatives Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Wayno? Is this true? Will those bearings work, ive heard negatives Don't know, I have no 521 front suspensions, all the trucks I own except for the 320s have 720 type or newer lower control arms/spindles and disc brakes. Mike K. should know the answer. Quote Link to comment
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