From France to USA : help please!

[Draker]

Original paint, so likely nothing hiding.

 

Looks nice. Might be priced on the high end.. but might be a great truck. Would need a good inspection.

[oukippy]

they don't want to hide anything I think. Tis is the answer concerning rust:

"Bill says the truck is pretty solid, with very little rust considering its age.

We rubbed it down to sheet metal in a few places that were rough. Then clear-coated it. The red is original."

 

It's hard for me to evaluate if what they did is normal as it's difficult to translate in French.

 

I've sent more question:

- which engine is it?
- 5-speed?

- disc brakes in front?

- electronic ignition?

 

I'm really thinking about an inspection for sure.

[racerx]

He did say 4 spd. Tought I saw some rust below by the fender which is typical.

[wayno]

My first question would be who is "Bill"?

If it is Bill's Datsun you need to forget about this Datsun unless you are looking for a fixer upper, as anything that guy has touched is going to need to be fixed again.

Wow is all I can say about them seats, the 70s were a strange time.

It should have disc brakes, if it doesn't then you do not want it.

Sounds like a lot was done to it, I would ask how long it sat not running before all this was done to it, does it have rust?

[oukippy]

My first question would be who is "Bill"?

If it is Bill's Datsun you need to forget about this Datsun unless you are looking for a fixer upper, as anything that guy has touched is going to need to be fixed again.

 

I'm not sure I understand. Is it a joke or do you really know a Bill ?

In fact I'm talking with Leslie. I suppose she's the one in charge of selling the car and Bill of preparing it :-)

 

I keep your question about "how long" in mind for my next email.

 

Thank you.

[Draker]

Not a joke. Find out who Bill is. Like wayno said.. if it's the bill of bills datsuns.. might want to pass.

[thisismatt]

I'd pass given the rust anyways...

[wayno]

If this truck is physically in the Salem area and not in the Portland OR metro area then it's likely it is not Bill's Datsun working on it.

Bill's Datsun is a business started by a guy named Bill as far as I know, well Bill retired/sold the business to this other guy(I am not sure how he really acquired the business) and the business has not had the good reputation it used to have since, I have heard to many horror stories about that place, before I knew about the bad rep I had went there a couple times asking about headers and SU manifolds and both times I left there without buying anything feeling creeped out, the guy thinks he is gods gift to everyone in his own mind, he does have a lot of nice cars in his shop, one wonders if they are being held hostage for money/very expensive repair bills. :lol: bills/Bill's :lol:

It's really hard to buy vehicles long distance, I bought one on the east coast and had it shipped to the west coast, I knew it was in pieces, I knew it might not all be there, but what I didn't know was that the guy really didn't have a clear title(car came from Australia), which did get figured out on his end which delayed shipping, and I didn't know the vehicle had been hit in the front half of the door and the wreck had pushed the door hinge pillar in about an inch, a repair had been made to the door to make it look alright, but the window didn't roll up properly so I put another door on it I had and it was then very obvious what the issue was, I kinda ran out of motivation on that project as I now need to remove the windshield, fender, door, dash, and then somehow push that pillar back into position, I was not informed of this issue when I bought the vehicle.

[racerx]

Very difficult buying cars long distance. This is not like buying a pair of pants on line. You might have to not to be too idealistic about what you get and go from there.

[Draker]

If you can find one with original paint, you should be okay. Might not look the best, but you'll know what you're dealing with. Sometimes hard to tell if it's original paint or not though.. takes a good inspection.

[oukippy]

If this truck is physically in the Salem area and not in the Portland OR metro area then it's likely it is not Bill's Datsun working on it.

Bill's Datsun is a business started by a guy named Bill as far as I know, well Bill retired/sold the business to this other guy(I am not sure how he really acquired the business) and the business has not had the good reputation it used to have since, I have heard to many horror stories about that place, before I knew about the bad rep I had went there a couple times asking about headers and SU manifolds and both times I left there without buying anything feeling creeped out, the guy thinks he is gods gift to everyone in his own mind, he does have a lot of nice cars in his shop, one wonders if they are being held hostage for money/very expensive repair bills. :lol: bills/Bill's :lol:

 

Ok now I understand the confusion. "My" Bill is not a professional and is in Salem so it's not the same person.

He proposed me to ask a local garage to make the inspection: https://www.denwerks.com/ . Any chance someone living nearby knows them?

[Charlie69]

As far as the automatic transmission is concerned they are very solid transmissions.  Used in many Datsun vehicles and are common.  If you buy a truck with an automatic then stock up on filter and pan gasket  kits.  I would have the transmission rebuilt by a reputable shop.  The truck will be fine with the automatic.

 

I have modded my 66 520 to a 1976 L20B 3N71B automatic transmission. 

 

Parts for thte 3N71B transmissions.

 

https://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/3N71B_Jatco_Transmission_parts_s/1887.htm

[oukippy]

Charlie69, do you have an idea of the cost of a transmission rebuilt ? (Not planning to do it but in order to evaluate)

 

Is replacement by manual transmission possible ?

[oukippy]

I'm back with the 620 in Salem. I asked for some additional pictures from the engine, the bed and the body. They put them in their craigslist post:

https://salem.craigslist.org/cto/d/datsun-king-cab-pick-up/6547727032.html

 

Could you give me your expert opinion on what we can see on the pictures ?

 

Thank you very much for your help !

[racerx]

Did you asked about rust?  There's rust on the passenger fender, look at the bottom?

[Draker]

Looks like rust on the lower fender and rocker. Some on the bed seams. Not all that critical, but really need to see the floors and body mounts.

[banzai510(hainz)]

Oukippy

Buy a 70series Landcruiser pickup BJ70. We dont get those here. alot better. If they sell them tin france. i seen one in Germany.

alotbetter than a Datsun. I would try to get one from Greece. might be EZer or from England but those are J motor engines Means real slow

[oukippy]

Thank you Banzai510 for your proposal but I'm only looking for a 620. I'm only driven by the good looking of the car. Landcruiser is nice but there's no stars in my eyes when I see it. 

It's probably not the best way to choose a car but if I just needed a pickup for working, I would have chosen something more modern. Or a Peugeot 504 if I wanted something very unexpensive and easy to find in France.

 

Draker, I'll ask to see the floors et body mounts. They told me that they will take the truck to the Portland Swap Meet this weekend. I'll try to find someone to give a look at it.

[Draker]

Wayno going to the swap meet perhaps?

[wayno]

Yea I am going to the swap meet, I have a vendor spot but really don't have any plans to use it this year, maybe I will take a few things to sell just so I don't get in trouble.

[oukippy]

Unfortunately the car won't be at the swap meet. I will probably need to have a professional go to Salem. The owner proposed me https://www.denwerks.com/. I've sent an email to them, the website seems to be reassuring (They have a nive 1981 Toyota pickup for sale).

 

It's a 78 with L20B, disk brakes and eletronic ignition. It's closed to what I was looking for, except it's not a 5 speed and it doesn't have a tach. Furthermore I'm born in 78 and I like the idea of having a car which is 40 like me !

[banzai510(hainz)]

i WOULD BE LEARY OVER LONG DISTANCE TRANACTIONS . Esp from datsun people.

 

I think a Landcruiser truck is the one to get!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

I would give you my truck but Im not done with it yet

[oukippy]

Hopefully I've found a French importator in Portland who will make the car inspection for me (and transaction if the car worth it).

He's very well established (imported hundreds of cars in France) so I'm confident in his evaluation.

[oukippy]

Hello guys,

 

Could someone explain to me how the following website works ?

http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/

 

I saw plenty of 620's (various prices though) and I don't understand if it's an auction site or something else. Every car on it is for sale or you have to contact the owners to know ?

 

examples :

http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/datsun/325380-1979-datsun-620-king-cab-5-speed-show-quality-restoration-of-a-barn-find.html

http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/datsun/294972-1977-datsun-620-king-cab-5-speed.html

http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/datsun/314271-1978-datsun-620-deluxe-pickup.html

http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/datsun/153825-1978-datsun-pickup.html

 

Thank you,

 

Julien

[racerx]

Try it contact the seller...what u got to lose?