Feisty1 Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Having been a total RV novice when I inherited this vintage diamond in the rough, I had no idea what I was in for with this particular model. But I am here to tell you how much I have learned since then & even have an opportunity to add to that knowledge, I'm hoping! Apparently the official conversion of Datsun into Nissan occurred in 84/85. As the plaques mounted on door panels & registration for my motorhome read 84 Datsun 720 --with matching Vin which clears in any system and on the title as 85 Nissan Lakeview MH All the ornamentation/accessories/plaques etc are Nissan but everything produced on the original chassis prior to being sent to Keystone ,where the coach was manufactured & bolted onto the frame--is Datsun right down to the striping/ color scheme , interior of cab, even the headlights all characterize a classic Datsun look. I wonder if the overall lack of information regarding Datsun/Nissan participation in the MH market is more an indication of -the level to which production was limited (which seems excessive I've heard some say only 6 Sunraders were built on Nissan chassis with 6 cylinder) Or if perhaps the company chose to remove itself and possibly even the association as they progressed to a more sporty approach quickly after debuting the Z engine. This RV has a 4cyl 5spd Z24 dual spark carb literally IDENTICAL to a Toyota (Escaper, huntsman, Granville are the matching models I've encountered) but with an equally reliable but more powerful engine- 5spd manual while Toyota offered only 4spd until much later floating rear diff w 6 lug design & Toyota prior to 87 were recalled for issues involving dually safety..... But apparently all these advantages were overlooked at the time & will probably continue to be as I've spent nearly a year doing diligent research & have found 1 photo of the same make/model. 1.......which sold on NY several years ago & had fully renovated/upgraded interior (making it indistinguishable from anything else seen around) I have always enjoyed a owning anything unique & a little exclusive to me but in this case it seems tragic to take something so original & characterized by the story it can tell..Personally, I wouldn't wall paper over a Picasso even if it wasn't all that pretty to look at ...we can't all appreciate a classic, I digress. I am hoping someone here can offer some additional insight/information.... I think I have about exhausted all the expertise I have acquired so far & am ready for more! References, photos (how can I post a photo here?), omg manuals if I dare to dream! Any knowledge is appreciated!!!!! Rat-on sun! THANKS Quote Link to comment
dhp123166 Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Pictures will make this thread pop!! 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 MH conversions would normally start with a Cab/Chassis option 720. The VIN would start with the letter E. This is just a cab on a frame usually with dual wheel axles and otherwise a stock 720. Before '82 only 4 speeds were used and there were no diesel Cab/Chassis trucks. There would be no 6 cylinder 720 MH as there were no 6 cylinder option until the new D21 Hardbody in '86.5 came out to replace the 720. I think we have several MH style 620/720s here. Please post some pictures and welcome to Ratsun.... http://community.ratsun.net/topic/54932-photobucket-ratsun/ 1 Quote Link to comment
EastBay521 Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/5323844793.html 1 Quote Link to comment
thatdirtykid Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 I have seen one like this a few times. I dig it. 1 Quote Link to comment
fritzdixxon Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Sweet, looks like a pop up top on the 620 one. Quote Link to comment
Grahem Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 made in winfield bc 1975 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 First Cab/Chassis on the 620 was '79. (no dual wheels) Before that was a Camper special with larger springs 3 core rad, maybe a few other things. Quote Link to comment
Grahem Posted November 26, 2015 Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 yep mine was a complete truck when Vangaurd bought it they even made use of the spare box 1 Quote Link to comment
fritzdixxon Posted November 26, 2015 Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 Lol rider pride. Well not this year Quote Link to comment
Spresti71 Posted February 28, 2023 Report Share Posted February 28, 2023 I have the exact 84' lakeview, fun fact you don't see many because they only made five! And as much as I wanted to believe it was a datsun 720 its actually a nissan pickup cutaway. Your VIN starts with JN, these were manufactured in japan and were built to JDM spec for Japan but last minute switched to left hand drive and sold in irvine califorina. I have all ALL the manuals!!!! Including for all the appliances, I Know this is an old post but I hope you still have it and I hope you see this! I have have paint codes or every color, every single part number for the truck and camper, manufacturer information, you name it!! Would love to share with you 6 Quote Link to comment
iceman510 Posted March 6, 2023 Report Share Posted March 6, 2023 Looks like fun. Quote Link to comment
Carlor Posted May 12, 2023 Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 On 2/28/2023 at 10:00 AM, Spresti71 said: I have the exact 84' lakeview, fun fact you don't see many because they only made five! And as much as I wanted to believe it was a datsun 720 its actually a nissan pickup cutaway. Your VIN starts with JN, these were manufactured in japan and were built to JDM spec for Japan but last minute switched to left hand drive and sold in irvine califorina. I have all ALL the manuals!!!! Including for all the appliances, I Know this is an old post but I hope you still have it and I hope you see this! I have have paint codes or every color, every single part number for the truck and camper, manufacturer information, you name it!! Would love to share with you Ah man this is awesome! I just got Sunrader version of this. My VIN also starts with JN. So would this make mine a Nissan cutaway as well? Either way, I would LOVE to see all the paint code, part number, manufacturer info you have. I’m sure a lot of stuff is the same with mine and it sure is hard finding specific parts for this thing. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 12, 2023 Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 After '81 all VINs were standardized. Before this every maker had their own 'VIN' codes. JN just means made in Japan Nissan as opposed to 1N made in Kentucky plant for some '84 and up trucks. Find the engine tag riveted to the inner right fender under the hood hings. Cab/Chassis trucks such as used for campers begin with an E and are sold without the box. Quote Link to comment
iceman510 Posted May 15, 2023 Report Share Posted May 15, 2023 Kentucky? No, Smyrna Tennessee. 1 Quote Link to comment
IceQueen86 Posted June 18, 2023 Report Share Posted June 18, 2023 I've found a 1984 Nissan 720 datsun with 78k and a Huntsman camper on it. Vin starts with JN. Main thing is I can't find anything like it at all. I heard Huntsman was Toyota but the truck part is definitely from Japan. How and where do I start looking for more information about this specific model? Quote Link to comment
Sophie Posted July 9, 2023 Report Share Posted July 9, 2023 We just bought this 1985 nissan granville!! It is completely original and well maintained, we will keep it that way. It's very rare, we can't find a lot of information..🇨🇦 2 Quote Link to comment
720Camper Posted October 17, 2023 Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 Hi all, nice to find other owners of these seemingly rare rigs. Just purchased an 85 720 with the Vanguard camper. Quote Link to comment
Rocandy Posted August 17 Report Share Posted August 17 Would love to hear from Spresti71 about her Lakeview as I now own her! Quote Link to comment
Rocandy Posted August 17 Report Share Posted August 17 On 3/6/2023 at 9:14 AM, iceman510 said: Looks like fun. I now own this one and unfortunately none of the info that she had mentioned came with it 😢 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 17 Report Share Posted August 17 Posted February 28, 2023 Was Spresti71s first and last post here. She.... gone. The first post and the one by Spresti71 is full of inaccuracies. JN6 is on all 720s sold here unless later years that were made in Tennessee, then IN6. JN just means where it was built in Japan at the Kyushu plant and it would be built for export if it's left hand drive. The 6 means commercial vehicle. Datsuns were ALWAYS Nissans. The name was kept Datsun after the war to distance itself from the Nissan made war materials. In '83 Nissan switched from Datsun to Nissan. It's still the same company. Find your engine tag under the passenger side hood hinge on the passenger inner fender. Top line.... yours will start with an E for Cab/Chassis which means it comes to the US without a box and is for those who plan to put a camper or utility box or flat bet on it. This example starts with a K for King Cab. Thousands were built and exported. The owner or a company bought it and installed the camper. It did not come here with it on. I doubt only 6 of the campers were made but hundreds of camper trucks would have been. The name Lakeview or Huntsman or Sunraider is just a decal. There was never a 6 cylinder truck until the next generation D21 Hardbody. The original poster has confused the Z24 with the Z car which was a 6 cylinder. The '84 Cab/Chassis would never come with a diesel or an automatic but a 5 speed. It would have strengthened rear leaf springs and a 4.375 differential the only truck to have that ratio. The load capacity for dual rear tires is 1,740 pounds. 1 1 Quote Link to comment
Rocandy Posted August 18 Report Share Posted August 18 Thanks for the clarification! Apparently the gentleman who I purchased her from got her from the original owner. She was driven to Maine by a family member who somehow blew up the engine. She now has a brand new one so the mechanicals are in great shape. The camper box is another thing 🙄 the passenger side has alot of water damage (which we plan on fixing) As the woman is fairly local to us we are hoping to be able to connect with her about the manuals that she says she has 🤞🏼 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 18 Report Share Posted August 18 The only manual worth anything is an original Nissan FSM (factory service manual) All others just copy this information. I have an '84 FSM and it's almost an inch and a half thick and all of it is only for the '84 truck. Other 'manuals cover all six years of production and are 1/2 inch thick. 1 1 Quote Link to comment
Rocandy Posted August 18 Report Share Posted August 18 I’m envious! Where did you get that? Quote Link to comment
yenpit Posted August 20 Report Share Posted August 20 On 8/18/2024 at 6:55 AM, Rocandy said: I’m envious! Where did you get that? Great find on your motorhome! Keep watching eBay, looking for service or shop manual 1984 Nissan 720. Take Mike's advice & search out a FACTORY manual (FSM), but grab up whatever else shows up ie Haynes, Clyner etc. I sold a rough condition FSM last year, came in a load of Datsun books that I acquired! 1 Quote Link to comment
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