guhibo Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Hello, I've always wanted a 620 since i've seen my friend's 720 back in the early 2000s. I finally feel like I should get one, but have very little experience in building cars. My plan is to buy a nicely working 620, and just maintain from there. I've been lurking the forums for a bit and haven't really found much info as to how to get started or what things to look for. I did read that it's a great starter project and fairly easy to maintain. I don't plan on going too crazy with mods. If any of you fine folks can point me in the right direction, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, I'm in the northern los angeles area, and if there is anybody willing to show me the ropes, that'd be even more awesome! Thanks! 2 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Try to get the most complete example of the 620 you dream of. Even if you have to save up and wait for it. Buying one that doesn't run and needs work is very disappointing. I would suggest a '78 or '79 as these had ball joint steering, disc brakes, internally regulated alternators and electronic ignition. Being in California be sure it has and will pass any future smog testing before buying it. May vehicles are missing equipment that has to be found and replaced. 3 Quote Link to comment
G-Duax Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 I finally feel like I should get one, but have very little experience in building cars. Before you throw $$ away, and get in over your head, take some basic auto repair classes at a local vocational school. Start amassing tools, as nothing screws up a car as much as trying to work on something without having the correct tools to work with. 2 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Also get a FSM or Factory Service Manual for the year you buy. Try e bay or amazon. It will pay for itself the first time you use it. 3 Quote Link to comment
difrangia Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Here's ya some reading material to get acquainted with the little 620's internal workings. This is 77 manual so some of the stuff that Mike mentioned that are features of the last couple years are not included. http://nicoclub.com/service-manual?fsm=FSM-Datsun-Pick-Up-1977 I acquired our one owner '78 Longbed (believed to be 150K miles and it has all the good stuff that mike listed and 5-speed trany) five years ago with a bent valve. Replaced the valves and all the small ancillaries on the engine and it is pure sex to drive around town. Kinda like darting around in your favorite pair of britches. That L-Series engine is an amazing little machine. 2 Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 Welcome, I see you have great taste :) Quote Link to comment
Dolomite Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 As a fellow Californian, my advice would be to get a non smog year and learn as you go. There’s really nothing very complex about a Datsun, fixing is usually easy. I do agree with getting the nicest possible example you can. Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted March 12, 2018 Report Share Posted March 12, 2018 75 and below/\...no smog req. In Calif. Quote Link to comment
captain720 Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 Just buy a broken one with good body, way more fun that way. :-) But I guess my definition of fun isn't the same as some other peoples. 1 Quote Link to comment
MikeRL411 Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 If a smog required vehicle, remember, in California the seller has to provide the required smog test certificate. Don't pass up on this by law requirement! Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 I would not buy anything that requires a smog test in California or anywhere else for that matter. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 Hello, I've always wanted a 620 since i've seen my friend's 720 back in the early 2000s. I finally feel like I should get one, but have very little experience in building cars. Yes, a pre '74 will not require a smog check but you don't get as much either. Smaller engine, lots of dodgy mods to the engines because there are no emissions testings to worry about, a poorer transmission, king pins, poorer distributor etc.... and not to mention they are an older model. A later '78/'79 that has passed smog (also more valuable because of this) will continue to pass smog in the future with little effort on your part because it will be complete. I would not buy anything that requires a smog test in California or anywhere else for that matter. ..and I would never buy anything that has king pins in it. 1 Quote Link to comment
guhibo Posted March 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 wow. you guys have responded with a lot of info! this is all amazing. I'm definitely looking at anything with l20b since those seem to come with 5-speed MT. I'm definitely going to make sure it's going to pass smog! Anybody in the LA area want to show me their truck and talk "shop"? I'll buy you lunch! Or beer. whatever floats your boat! Otherwise, I'm going to continue to do more research and see if there are any White l20b 620s out there with minimum rust and lots of love from the previous owner. Hey @datzenmike, any reason why 78/79 are the years you keep mentioning? Also, I read somewhere that the early 70s and late 70s have slightly different bodies/? Quote Link to comment
Draker Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 wow. you guys have responded with a lot of info! this is all amazing. I'm definitely looking at anything with l20b since those seem to come with 5-speed MT. I'm definitely going to make sure it's going to pass smog! Anybody in the LA area want to show me their truck and talk "shop"? I'll buy you lunch! Or beer. whatever floats your boat! Otherwise, I'm going to continue to do more research and see if there are any White l20b 620s out there with minimum rust and lots of love from the previous owner. Hey @datzenmike, any reason why 78/79 are the years you keep mentioning? Also, I read somewhere that the early 70s and late 70s have slightly different bodies/? Front disk brakes and ball joints. Optional king cab too. 1 Quote Link to comment
wayno Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 Yes, a pre '74 will not require a smog check but you don't get as much either. Smaller engine, lots of dodgy mods to the engines because there are no emissions testings to worry about, a poorer transmission, king pins, poorer distributor etc.... and not to mention they are an older model. A later '78/'79 that has passed smog (also more valuable because of this) will continue to pass smog in the future with little effort on your part because it will be complete. ..and I would never buy anything that has king pins in it. I can get rid of kingpin front ends, but I cannot get rid of smog laws. 2 Quote Link to comment
guhibo Posted March 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 Also, should the color be a priority, or is that an easy job? Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 I acquired our one owner '78 Longbed (believed to be 150K miles and it has all the good stuff that mike listed and 5-speed trany) five years ago with a bent valve. Replaced the valves and all the small ancillaries on the engine and it is pure sex to drive around town. Kinda like darting around in your favorite pair of britches. That L-Series engine is an amazing little machine. I have never heard of driving a Datsun truck around town as pure sex....very cool saying right there...thanks difrangia for posting this... MikeC Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 I'm definitely looking at anything with l20b since those seem to come with 5-speed MT. I'm definitely going to make sure it's going to pass smog! The 5 speed was only an option on the '77-'79 620 truck, they won't all have it. Hey @datzenmike, any reason why 78/79 are the years you keep mentioning? Also, I read somewhere that the early 70s and late 70s have slightly different bodies/? Try to get the most complete example of the 620 you dream of. Even if you have to save up and wait for it. Buying one that doesn't run and needs work is very disappointing. I would suggest a '78 or '79 as these had ball joint steering, disc brakes, internally regulated alternators and electronic ignition. Being in California be sure it has and will pass any future smog testing before buying it. May vehicles are missing equipment that has to be found and replaced. The previous model truck the PL521 '70-'72 was much different looking than the 620. It ended production in early '72 or just over half way into the '72 model year. The 620 was built from around April '72 through July '79. In model years this would be '73-'79. There were no '72 620s as such, and half year models move into the next year. All 620s looked the same body wise. Hoods fenders doors all swapped. All reg cabs were the same and king cabs were the same as were long boxes and short boxes. Minor things like the gas tank was moved to and mounted on the '78-'79 frame rather than the underside of the box, radio antenna on the left side on the '79.... things like that. Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 I have never heard of driving a Datsun truck around town as pure sex....very cool saying right there...thanks difrangia for posting this... MikeC If you havent bought one by the time i get my 521 on the road I'll have to take a ride out and visit .... I'll let you take it for a drive and you'll get it... Quote Link to comment
mikec4193 Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 If you havent bought one by the time i get my 521 on the road I'll have to take a ride out and visit .... I'll let you take it for a drive and you'll get it... Hey Crashtd420 I have owned I think a total of 4 of these little trucks back in the late 70's and into the late 1980's...I just never thought of it like that before...I am more of "get me from point a to point b" kinda guy and not get run over by traffic....I would love to take a ride in your when you get it done....I will drive out to you when you get it done... Thanks for the offer...I am so ready... :) MikeC Quote Link to comment
Crashtd420 Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 Hey Crashtd420 I have owned I think a total of 4 of these little trucks back in the late 70's and into the late 1980's...I just never thought of it like that before...I am more of "get me from point a to point b" kinda guy and not get run over by traffic....I would love to take a ride in your when you get it done....I will drive out to you when you get it done... Thanks for the offer...I am so ready... :) MikeC I thought you only had the one you let go.. any how pm sent... Quote Link to comment
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