ghostrider209 Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 This is my first Datsun, I bought it from another member on this board. It's a beautiful 1970 521 Datsun Pickup with a KA24 swap. Truck runs excellent and looks great. I will say the ride is WAY too bouncy. I'm hoping to fix that, I'm hearing that new shocks or coilovers are the way to go to get a better ride. What coilovers are good/affordable that someone might suggest? Other then the bouncy ride, I have no complaints! I found some 6 lug Western Mesh's that are actually Shelby mesh's that fit the truck perfectly! I couldn't be happier with the stance and wheels and rims and I love driving the truck. Super fun to drive! Anyway here are some pics I took today. I'm thinking about having a paint shop paint the roof and hood to match the orange. Any thoughts? 2 Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Sweet u made a profile, these dudes are pretty cool, have always answered my questions Tanker where u at, we need coilover info 1 Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Dangg it looks soooo good Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 There are no place to put coil overs on a truck. The front is torsion bar and the back leaf spring. It's likely too low and close to or maybe riding on the bump stops so without any suspension travel new shocks aren't going to have any effect. The only 'give' will be the bouncy beach ball tires. Raise it an inch and trim the bump stops so there is some suspension travel and then get new shocks. Run the tire pressure at the lowest recommended amount, but no lower. Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 I say good buy, beautiful truck!!! I like your idea of matching the hood and the roof. I love the orange. Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Datzenmike that truck is really stiff. I have another and its lower and rides smoother, the problem i believe is owner before me put taller shocks, shocks bottom out Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 There are no place to put coil overs on a truck. The front is torsion bar and the back leaf spring. It's likely too low and close to or maybe riding on the bump stops so without any suspension travel new shocks aren't going to have any effect. The only 'give' will be the bouncy beach ball tires. Raise it an inch and trim the bump stops so there is some suspension travel and then get new shocks. Run the tire pressure at the lowest recommended amount, but no lower. Well that's funny I have, I must be special then.. QA1's are a good choice to go with plus it will make so much more room under the truck. But you need to go further I did for now, my truck rides smoother then torsion bars but to get the drop I want I need to crank the springs down and it goes back to riding like a mini truck. Painting the hood and roof will be a great idea for starters, even a cream or white done right will look very good. But hey if you seen my truck you would tell I have no style.. And by the way welcome aboard.. Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Sweet u made a profile, these dudes are pretty cool, have always answered my questions Tanker where u at, we need coilover info I'm right here big boy.I want to buy your truck. Quote Link to comment
Dattokai Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Nice! I'm also from Stockton. Mytoy521 is another guy from Ratsun, I know three other guys but they don't have a Ratsun. 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Looks sweet. Quote Link to comment
sal Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Sweet ride dude. I think you are ridding on the bump stops I tried to lower my d21 the same way did exactly what you are describing. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Well that's funny I have, I must be special then.. QA1's are a good choice to go with plus it will make so much more room under the truck. But you need to go further I did for now, my truck rides smoother then torsion bars but to get the drop I want I need to crank the springs down and it goes back to riding like a mini truck. Painting the hood and roof will be a great idea for starters, even a cream or white done right will look very good. But hey if you seen my truck you would tell I have no style.. And by the way welcome aboard.. Traditional coil overs go on struts to make the ride height adjustable. As the truck does not have struts where would they go? Replacing the torsion bars or leafs with coil springs isn't the same thing. Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 So what do I have coilovers. I don't know what your talking about my ride is adjusted the same way you just said. Stick to stock let us play modified. 1 Quote Link to comment
konig209 Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Its not riding on bump stops.....why or how do i know. Because im the one who suggested to take them off entirely. The shock is fully collapsed. Closed 100% causing the rough ride. There is a set of shocks ive been wanting to buy someone from japan suggested. DJM part #1115. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Just flat black spray can the hood and call it good. key is having the paint code for what you have. and a paint shop will $$$$$ you spray can flatbalck will look good enough.. I like this truck hoping youll still be on here 5 yrs from now and its garaged Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Yes, those shocks are taller than normal Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Traditional coil overs go on struts to make the ride height adjustable. As the truck does not have struts where would they go? Replacing the torsion bars or leafs with coil springs isn't the same thing. Coilover doesn't imply strut. Replacing the torsion bar with a coil spring positioned around a shock = coilover. Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 Coilover doesn't imply strut. Replacing the torsion bar with a coil spring positioned around a shock = coilover. I could not say any better myself Matt. Quote Link to comment
ghostrider209 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 Its not riding on bump stops.....why or how do i know. Because im the one who suggested to take them off entirely. The shock is fully collapsed. Closed 100% causing the rough ride. There is a set of shocks ive been wanting to buy someone from japan suggested. DJM part #1115. Ok so I might be able to remedy the bounciness by buying new shocks because the ones I have are taller then stock? Anybody know where to buy stock or shorter shocks that will bolt up to a 521? Quote Link to comment
mrbigtanker Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 No you wont and i dont care what any one says its lowered and thats it.The only way to make it a better ride would be to coil over the truck but you will need to do some Mod's to get it to ride right,like I said before my truck rides smoother then when I was on torsion bars but once i hit the bumps its back being a mini truck.Or you can go air bags but tanks compressor hoses, fuck that shit. Quote Link to comment
JoeCool Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 Good looking truck! :thumbup: Quote Link to comment
ghostrider209 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 Ok so I might be able to remedy the bounciness by buying new shocks because the ones I have are taller then stock? Anybody know where to buy stock or shorter shocks that will bolt up to a 521? Also thanks for all the advice and welcome wish's! The truck DOES sit in the garage. I am going to get an estimate from a local paint shop (Bugs, formally Miracle as I have seen many Datsuns out front and I believe some of the guys that work there are into them and I have heard good feedback about their work). I like stock colors, especially the Off white and the tan/khaki but I feel this truck should stay orange, plus that will ultimately be cheaper. Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 520/521 shocks are about the shortest shocks out there with a top stud, lower eye configuration. Quote Link to comment
datson4life Posted August 9, 2014 Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 I heard good stuff from bugs Quote Link to comment
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