Desert720 Posted May 19, 2017 Report Share Posted May 19, 2017 I'm halfway into this project and this site has been invaluable to me so I figured seeing as so few are interested in old 4x4 Datsun/Nissans I may as well share my build with those that are interested in seeing something different. I purchased a very well worn out 85 Nissan 720 4x4 Deluxe with Toyota Tacoma wheels and in need of just about every consumable part but the price was right and I had just sold my Suzuki Samurai for a tidy profit so after falling in love with the Nissan almost immediately I decided she was a keeper and deserved to be brought back to her former glory.. I began with the usual engine freshening; plugs, wires, dist rotor and cap along with all fluids front to back. After noticing very bad wear on my new KO2's (argh!) on the inside edge of the fronts I decided to pull the front end off and investigate... well i ended up going all out once I saw the wheel bearings were shot to the point of allowing a lot of movement. Started there and ended up replacing following; upper and lower ball joints, both wheel bearings, rotors, axle studs, lugs and with 225k on the clock I decided the steering needed an over haul as well so using only MOOG 555 brand parts(including ball joints) I replaced the inner and outer tie rod ends, pitman, idler, droop stops, bump stops, and a new stabilizer and pair of Bilstein shocks. Managed to get the upper control arm bushings and strut rod bushings as well only pivot up front I couldn't get were the lower control arm bushings ( the ones pressed into the front cross member) so if anyone has tips on those bushings I'd love to hear it as it's bugging me knowing everything is fresh and tight except the lca bushings.. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 20, 2017 Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 http://community.ratsun.net/topic/54932-photobucket-ratsun/ 1 Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted May 20, 2017 Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 Front bushings SUCK. I've done multiple sets. I usually have to cut the star bolt off both sides with a grinder. Then i drill a bunch of holes through the rubber until i can push the center core out of the bushing. Then i grind or burn the rest of the bushing out. I would highly recommend poly bushings for these. While they are noisier and stiffer, using them means you don't have to remove the metal shell from the front crossmember. I've done both factory and poly bushings. I will never do another set of factory style. I think at least one set is covered in my 720 shenanigans thread. 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted May 20, 2017 Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 A torch with a rosebud tip will bur the rubber enought to get it out and then reheat to remove the outer metal sleeve of the bushing. Do this outside as the burning rubber can be caustic. Quote Link to comment
Desert720 Posted May 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 Ah yes there aren't any short cuts just like in life Thank you guys for the awesome tips I will give it a go when I'm finished with the bed and interior. 1 Quote Link to comment
Desert720 Posted May 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 Ok so I had difficulty finding my post to add photos to it because I know it's not a good thread with out pictures! Here it goes 1 Quote Link to comment
Desert720 Posted May 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 Photobucket won't allow me to register keeps error if and I've tried it many times. Il try again later. For those of you who have Instagram you can follow the build there along with other desert related stuff https://www.instagram.com/mojavemade/ 1 Quote Link to comment
84720FourWheel Posted May 20, 2017 Report Share Posted May 20, 2017 I prefer imgur. Works pretty smoothly. 2 Quote Link to comment
Desert720 Posted May 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2017 Thank you for the Imgur suggestion, works the way a modern image site should! Here is the old gal when we first met https://i.imgur.com/lBEXqeD.jpg Then the transformation began slowly, https://i.imgur.com/7IGC48Y.jpg I scoured Craigslist for a hard to find small cab over camper what a great set up it was! https://i.imgur.com/tFxNUIN.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wiM400Y.jpg I made another all day Craigslist trip to Arizona for this snugtop original shell or topper and scored it with a killer upholstered and padded interior! Much easier and lighter than the pop top https://i.imgur.com/0fCRTO8.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CmS1kCy.jpg https://i.imgur.com/a8u2uFb.jpg The shell will soon be back on Craigslist unfortunately as my latest obsession is converting to the utility bed! Sorry for the tangent just wanted to give some background. Here it is as I found it in the junkyard after pulling it off a Early 80's Toyota. At 7 feet long it wasn't looking like an easy swap. I asked my veteran hot rod builder Grandpa what our options where and it was either stretch the frame or shorten the bed and we went for the later as one of the best qualities of the standard cab 720 is its short wheelbase. https://i.imgur.com/vnd25LK.jpg Then the fun fabrication began! https://i.imgur.com/eh2tzWh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LXU2iFn.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2BHX5ab.jpg https://i.imgur.com/mAUKINy.jpg https://i.imgur.com/8TCLJz5.jpg https://i.imgur.com/gKKFYLR.jpg https://i.imgur.com/db5SkZx.jpg Couldn't help but ask for a little body work help from the master :) https://i.imgur.com/H5RegCg.jpg 1 Quote Link to comment
84720FourWheel Posted May 22, 2017 Report Share Posted May 22, 2017 There should be a link for a bbcode. Paste that into your posts and they'll show up in your posts without going to an external link. 1 Quote Link to comment
MaxChlan Posted May 22, 2017 Report Share Posted May 22, 2017 Here is the post with the pictures: "Thank you for the Imgur suggestion, works the way a modern image site should!Here is the old gal when we first metThen the transformation began slowly,I scoured Craigslist for a hard to find small cab over camper what a great set up it was!I made another all day Craigslist trip to Arizona for this snugtop original shell or topper and scored it with a killer upholstered and padded interior! Much easier and lighter than the pop topThe shell will soon be back on Craigslist unfortunately as my latest obsession is converting to the utility bed! Sorry for the tangent just wanted to give some background.Here it is as I found it in the junkyard after pulling it off a Early 80's Toyota. At 7 feet long it wasn't looking like an easy swap. I asked my veteran hot rod builder Grandpa what our options where and it was either stretch the frame or shorten the bed and we went for the later as one of the best qualities of the standard cab 720 is its short wheelbase.Then the fun fabrication began!Couldn't help but ask for a little body work help from the master :) " 4 Quote Link to comment
MaxChlan Posted May 22, 2017 Report Share Posted May 22, 2017 Also, are you selling your bed parts? I want the shell and the tailgate BAAAAAAAD 1 Quote Link to comment
captain720 Posted May 22, 2017 Report Share Posted May 22, 2017 Also, are you selling your bed parts? I want the shell and the tailgate BAAAAAAAD I want it more. And the bed box too. 1 Quote Link to comment
Desert720 Posted May 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2017 Also, are you selling your bed parts? I want the shell and the tailgate BAAAAAAAD Message sent. Thank you for fixing my images in the post! Il get it figured out eventually :) 1 Quote Link to comment
MaxChlan Posted May 22, 2017 Report Share Posted May 22, 2017 Message sent. Thank you for fixing my images in the post! Il get it figured out eventually :) It's really easy. Here is my write up: http://community.ratsun.net/topic/71614-720-drift-truck-project/?p=1470817 Quote Link to comment
Desert720 Posted May 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2017 Transferring the NISSAN logo to the Reading tailgate Quote Link to comment
Desert720 Posted May 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2017 Ready to weld! Quote Link to comment
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