Coda Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 Hello fellow Datsun nuts, I'm new to the site and thought I'd introduce myself and my project in the same post. My name is Rick. I'm a writer and Gearhead from Dallas, TX. This particular 1200 has been sitting in the same spot, in my cousin's Denton, TX salvage yard, since 1986. After repeated attempts to get him to sell it to me, I was able to liberate it two weekends ago. Plans are to do the rust repair (tons of it) and install a CA18ET pulled from the same yard. I just ordered the 1200 brake upgrade brackets from Doug (this was my first par- purchase for this project; glad to buy from a Datsun guy...very cool cat). My RockAuto cart is full of the suspension bits and brake parts to make it all work. As soon as the parts get here, I'll be cutting my struts down with Jetta inserts and flipping sides, possibly flipping the tie rod ends to the top to help correct some of the geometry offset with the 3 inch lowering job... Here's what I have so far. Got it home: Interior stripped on day 1 Floors and both frame rails need replacing: Day 2 - got her inside and motor and front suspension bits removed: Measuring for 3 inch blocks with 200SX 15X6 wheels: I'm sure I'll be asking a ton of questions on the tech side of the forums. The hunt for quarter panel patches will begin soon. I can build floor pans and frame rails and I know I can order front fenders from OZ, but no clue on the rear quarters...but I'll do some searching before I start asking silly questions. I am sure glad this site is here! I'll update this post as often as I make progress. Thanks for looking 5 Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted March 9, 2016 Report Share Posted March 9, 2016 Awesome!! I love the 1200. Glad to see you were able to finally pry it out of your brothers hands. Your garage space looks good too. 1 Quote Link to comment
S30Jay Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 Welcome! Love the car, the plans, and that you salvaged it from a junkyard! I'm looking forward to this... 1 Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 possibly flipping the tie rod ends to the top to help correct some of the geometry offset with the 3 inch lowering job... FYI, this is not a good plan. My 1200 is lowered 6" and my tie rods are set up just as Nissan intended. Flipping them would change the angle too drastically relative to the angle of the control arm and introduce all sort of wonkiness to the suspension. ;) Oh, and super glad to see another 1200 owner here in DFW. :thumbup: Some light reading: My build thread Kerry's build thread Tim's build thread 1 Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 FYI, this is not a good plan. My 1200 is lowered 6" and my tie rods are set up just as Nissan intended. Flipping them would change the angle too drastically relative to the angle of the control arm and introduce all sort of wonkiness to the suspension. ;) Thanks for the heads-up...I'm sure that would have been pretty evident once I put it all together and the tie rods were all bound up :confused: In the aircooled VW world, it's a must do-thing...glad to know its one less modification I'll need to make! And thanks for the links...This is my first Datsun build so I'm happy to have some reference material. Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 Small update - Nothing too exciting...just a little rust removal and room for a fuel cell new trunk pan...on the hunt for one:) Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted March 11, 2016 Report Share Posted March 11, 2016 thanks for the links...This is my first Datsun build so I'm happy to have some reference material. If you need any help/advice, or just want to see more than one 1200 in one place (very rare in Texas), feel free to stop by. ^_^ 2 Quote Link to comment
KELMO Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 oooohh, a sedan. I already like where this is going. My very first Datto was a 1200 Sedan. 2 Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 Now that the low hanging fruit is out of the way, time for some work: Today I'm assessing the part I was most concerned about - the frame rails. Passenger side looks really nice: Driver side...Ugh! At some point, the car was involved in a front end collision that resulted in some half-arse body work. Pretty sure this is why The left rail is schnockered: Cut out the ugly and did a bit of straightening - Upper section is solid, lower is...weldable... I'll probably loose the front steering box boss...its crunchy. So, it will need replacing as well. Other side (under the fender) looks about the same, so as soon as I cap and weld the inner, I'll hack out the swiss cheese from the outer section and move on the the rails under the floors....those are not any nicer looking. I'm also working on my front suspension plan of attack today, but I'll drop my questions over in the suspension section and post up when I make progress there. It's here if anyone would like to weigh in on my strut-cutting woes. Thanks for taking a look...any advice is welcome. 2 Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted March 13, 2016 Report Share Posted March 13, 2016 I'm also working on my front suspension plan of attack today, but I'll drop my questions over in the suspension section and post up when I make progress there. It's here if anyone would like to weigh in on my strut-cutting woes. I'd stick to asking your questions in the 1200 section, not the different sub-sections. That's where most of us 1200 guys hang out... ^_^ 2 Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 Quick update...probably last for a week or so. I'm on a crazy short deadline and have no business Datsuning right now...but it's a disease...so here we go - Went to the metal store today to get material for subframe connectors, blocks, rail repair and seat brackets: Decided to work for an hour, just so I could concentrate on what I should be doing: First of two sections of the frame caps to repair the driver side rail. Just a test fit. Still need to grind and get weld-thru primer, drill holes for sway bar mount, fab a spacer for the other side so they are the same, welding, etc. Also cut a quick set of blocks for the rear. Still gotta weld in end caps and paint. And need to make some long u-bolts. Feel free to weigh in on preferred short shocks for a 3 inch block. Thanks for looking...hope I'm not boring everyone with the minutia. 4 Quote Link to comment
hobospyder Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 Make sure to check your pinion angle and if you have a carrier bearing you might want to shim that as well to help. I think 3" on up are supposed to be angled for a drop but I'm probably wrong Quote Link to comment
S30Jay Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 That material is heavier than original I think. Not that that's a bad thing. Looks like your off to a good start. Looking forward to living vicariously through your work.... 2 Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 Make sure to check your pinion angle and if you have a carrier bearing you might want to shim that as well to help. I think 3" on up are supposed to be angled for a drop but I'm probably wrong Absolutely, I think you are right. As soon as I get the CA18ET/71C combo stabbed and my trans mount fabbed up, I'll be able to see where it all lands. I figured I might need a shim or few to correct/match the angle(s). That material is heavier than original I think. Not that that's a bad thing. Looks like your off to a good start. Looking forward to living vicariously through your work.... It's .083 wall. Looks thicker than it is. But yeah I agree, it's still thicker than the original stuff...These cars are paper-thin to begin with. 2 Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Feel free to weigh in on preferred short shocks for a 3 inch block. I think they are the same length as 510 shocks, if memory serves. The go to there is the RWD 85-87 Corolla GT-S (2" shorter) or '82-92 Camaro (3" shorter). If you can measure them fully extended I have a 510 shock here for comparison. 1 Quote Link to comment
zed1 Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 You may want to visit Garland Steel (http://garlandsteel.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1), they used to have a great inventory of "used" USA steel, not imported steel. Keith Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 I think they are the same length as 510 shocks, if memory serves. The go to there is the RWD 85-87 Corolla GT-S (2" shorter) or '82-92 Camaro (3" shorter). If you can measure them fully extended I have a 510 shock here for comparison. Thanks, datsunfreak. I'll pull one off and measure. You may want to visit Garland Steel (http://garlandsteel.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1), they used to have a great inventory of "used" USA steel, not imported steel. Keith A buddy who builds crazy Hemi-powered Jeeps here in town recommended Garland Steel as well. Heard good things. They are kinda far from me, though. Since I'm in the North 40, I use a place in McKinney, 20 minutes from the house. Nice to know they have quality products if my place can't get me what I need. 1 Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Single pic update. Busted my hump this morning, so I rewarded myself with an hour in the garage. Didn't snap any pics along the way, but you get the idea. Got my left frame rail repairs almost complete. Test-fitted the steering box just to make sure since I had to weld in a patch underneath it. Rail pieces tacked together. Still gotta get primer and gas for the welder. Smells like progress :) Thanks for looking! Oh - anyone need a boat anchor? I have to move that seized A12/auto trans assy around every time I work in the garage. :crying: 3 Quote Link to comment
KiloTango1200 Posted March 19, 2016 Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 Great find. It is awesome that you are moving at such a rapid pace. I had the only known 1200 2 Dr. Sedan in North Texas till now. My Sedan is intact and unmolested if you need any measurements or pics for your project. My computer blew up so I am trying to operate on a cheap android pad. Datsunfreak knows how to contact me. I also have a dis assembled sedan rear clip with an intact floor pan, little rust on the rest of it. It is just taking up a lot of space, but it is too rare to scrap. Hope all the DFW 1200 guys can meet up soon. 1 Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 Great find. It is awesome that you are moving at such a rapid pace. I had the only known 1200 2 Dr. Sedan in North Texas till now. My Sedan is intact and unmolested if you need any measurements or pics for your project. My computer blew up so I am trying to operate on a cheap android pad. Datsunfreak knows how to contact me. I also have a dis assembled sedan rear clip with an intact floor pan, little rust on the rest of it. It is just taking up a lot of space, but it is too rare to scrap. Hope all the DFW 1200 guys can meet up soon. Hey Kilo, its great to meet yet another 1200 guy in North Texas! I'd love to see your car...and if you want to make a deal on the rear clip, I'll bring a trailer :) And yes, lets put together a meet up...even if all we do is stand around and drink beer while pointing at someone's Datsun(s), I'm in! Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2016 Hey Y'all. Tinkered on the 1200 a little today. Coming from the aircooled VW world, I'm used to rust...but Holy Hell...I just keep finding more! Left subframe rail was toast, this I knew. But I was hoping to be able to salvage some of it. Nope. After hacking off the ugly, I cut a piece of 1X2 and hammered it as far as it would go inside the front rail. There plenty of good metal to spot to in there, so it should work out. Here is what I mocked up today: We are looking at the driver foot well, BTW. Cut two squares out of 1/8 plate for the back section to weld onto. Forgot to snap a pic though. Waiting for my weld-through primer to get here, Should be today. As I was cleaning up for the night, brown Santa came : Hoping to have the left side done tomorrow. Then the right side. Ugh! I'm ready for the fun stuff (mocking up the drivetrain). Thanks for looking! 3 Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Left subframe tacked in. I'll do all the finish welding once I trailer it to a buddies shop...with a lift. Welding on your back sucks when you get old. More to come :) 4 Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2016 Taking a break from rust. Ordered two 165/50r/15 and mounted them up for suspension mocking purposes. Probably go with a 195/45 on the back for a little more side wall. 3 inch blocks in back and front is just hovering there. Wheels are 6 inches wide with an ET30, so lowering the perch is limited to 1.5 inches. Was going to do Coilovers (still may) but I'll need to run a 5mm spacer to get the wheel away from the strut to clear the threaded collar. Not sure which way I'm going yet. Perch is just tacked in right now. I chopped one coil out for starters. Threw the crossmember and an LCA back in to see where I am as far as track. Below is with pressure on the LCA, obviously no drivetrain is in the car, so I'll wait till the engine and interior are in before I chop any more out of the springs, or decide on Coilovers. 2 Quote Link to comment
datsunfreak Posted March 25, 2016 Report Share Posted March 25, 2016 If you're not planning on flares, I have some fenders. Just FYI... B) 1 Quote Link to comment
Coda Posted March 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2016 If you're not planning on flares, I have some fenders. Just FYI... B) Sweet! I'm planning on coming out to the compound on Saturday morning, BTW. Quote Link to comment
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