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From Farm to City Life! 1974 build thread.


LRO255

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1974 Datsun 620

 

Purchased: Oct 5th, 2018

All Stock vin matching

Exterior: Major surface rust all over

Interior: Some weather damage

Suspension / Wheels: Aftermarket wheels "OEM wheels included"

 

The truck was a barn find from the previous owner. Did some minor work to get it running but he decided to go in a different route.

Luckily I was the first to contact him and got the truck for a great deal. I have been looking for a 620 for a few years now and now I'm part of the Datsun family.

My goals are to build this truck to my taste but keeping it classic. I know currently forums aren't as active like 10-15 years ago but I still think this the best way to learn and meet people in the same community as you. I will keep updating on here while I still own this truck, which I hope is forever. And now for pics!

 

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On ‎10‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 8:00 AM, JohnnyBlaze said:

Was this on Craigslist, maybe in the Carolina's?  Looks like one I saw on there recently.  It appears to be pretty solid and has way less rust then my 78 I picked up in PA last month.  Mine has the same or similar wheels.  Have fun with it.

 

Yes it is!

 

23 hours ago, banzai510(hainz) said:

Oh man thats cool

I would just get it running and roll it like that.

Masybe soem better wheels or stock wheels redone with small white wall

 

That's my short term plan. Running good enough to drive back and forth to work. And a clear to the body to hold the rust from getting worst.

 

Finally made it to the city: Oct 12th, 2018

 

Left on the 10th

 

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Two days later made it home.

 

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First job was to check what needs repair and remove that bumper.

 

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Bumper took some time to remove due to the rust but it finally came out.

Is that bumper some how an OEM option?

 

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Also gave the muffler a new custom tip.

 

More coming soon!

 

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Some 620s came without a rear bumper to exploit a legal loophole and avoid the chicken tax. (look it up) Technically the truck is shipped without one and not entirely built overseas and a bumper is added here to complete it. 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On ‎10‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 10:54 PM, datzenmike said:

Some 620s came without a rear bumper to exploit a legal loophole and avoid the chicken tax. (look it up) Technically the truck is shipped without one and not entirely built overseas and a bumper is added here to complete it. 

 

Yes, I know that most didn't come with rear bumper. But I was wondering if Datsun/Nissan dealerships used to offer bumpers like the one I have?

 

Well so far I done a few things to get it running as normal as possible. Ran in to two problems and hopefully you guys can help me out with one of them.

 

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I removed the gas tank which it was fairly easy but I did end up breaking 3 bolts.

I opened it up the next day and I notice how bad it is on the inside.

I did purchased the chemicals to clean it myself but I decided to get a professional to do the job instead.

 

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I also flushed the engine and coolant fluids. Noticed that I have a leak on the radiator and water pump. Replaced the radiator and soon I will do the same to the pump.

Replaced the thermostat while I was at it but one of the cover bolt took me just about 3 hours to remove.

 

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I also replaced some of the vacuums lines and notice a few missing.

*So here is where I need some help*

The following locations are missing hoses. By any chance anyone knows?

 

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After some brakes adjustments and new air filter I drove it around and it ran ok.

High Idle on start and too low on drive. Shutoff on me a few times. I hoping replacing the missing hoses will help on that.

 

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And finally, I removed the old tires of the oem wheels to clean them up for new tires.

 

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Next step is to replace the muffler.

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I like the stock wheels and hubcaps my self

 

use anti seize on those thermostat bolts. YOull never have that proplem again., matter of fact everything. I do the water pump bolts also,intake exahust ect....

the lower housing with the temp sender is a pain if its stuck also.usually cracks the housing thus leaking.

 

rusty gas can cause the idle jet to plug so run 2 fuel  filters(the stock one and a in line one) at first till you think its clean gas to the carb.

If stock carb works just rock it. Iwould get a walker queit muffler maybe just up size the pipe to 2 inch

 

 

I see you have a red Opitma. I had bad luck with them

 

 

I like this truck esp in NY. Not many there

Edited by banzai510(hainz)
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If that's the original radiator, don't get rid of it. The brass ones are getting harder to find these days and are totally rebuildable, not t mention stronger than the aluminum/plastic radiators.

 

I love this stage of the job. Once you get everything back and installed, it's always fun to hear it fire and get some heat into it. I usually fill them with water only and let them idle for a few hours in the driveway, then flush out the crap before putting in the coolant.

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On ‎11‎/‎14‎/‎2018 at 9:08 PM, banzai510(hainz) said:

I like the stock wheels and hubcaps my self

 

use anti seize on those thermostat bolts. YOull never have that proplem again., matter of fact everything. I do the water pump bolts also,intake exahust ect....

the lower housing with the temp sender is a pain if its stuck also.usually cracks the housing thus leaking.

 

rusty gas can cause the idle jet to plug so run 2 fuel  filters(the stock one and a in line one) at first till you think its clean gas to the carb.

If stock carb works just rock it. Iwould get a walker queit muffler maybe just up size the pipe to 2 inch

 

 

I see you have a red Opitma. I had bad luck with them

 

 

I like this truck esp in NY. Not many there

 

Every outside bolt will have anti-seize for sure. I'm currently using a portable fuel gallon since I knew in advance that the gas tank needed some attention. So far the red top is working perfectly. no complains so far. My goal is to keep the current carb but if it gives me too many problems I'm going weber. And yes it is nice having this truck in NY. Not to many like it here. I also so love the OE wheels.

 

 

On ‎11‎/‎15‎/‎2018 at 3:11 AM, Spawn said:

LRO255, where are you located in NY?  Are you in the city or somewhere Upstate?

 

NYC, next time you come down here let me know.

 

On ‎11‎/‎15‎/‎2018 at 12:10 PM, Stoffregen Motorsports said:

If that's the original radiator, don't get rid of it. The brass ones are getting harder to find these days and are totally rebuildable, not t mention stronger than the aluminum/plastic radiators.

 

I love this stage of the job. Once you get everything back and installed, it's always fun to hear it fire and get some heat into it. I usually fill them with water only and let them idle for a few hours in the driveway, then flush out the crap before putting in the coolant.

 

According to the last owner the truck was sitting for over 20 years. As you could tell by the picture of the OE wheels. The radiator was to far gone also. Leaking from every area. Plus in the future it will most likely have a custom rad. Coolant is completely flush now.

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  • 6 months later...

Nice project LRO,

 

The factory did offer the small bumperetts, so desirable and petite, that fit on 520's and 620's.

That giant ungodly step-bumper was popular with the camper and tow crowd. These were often custom jobs by camper companies.

If you can snag a set of the small factory ones they would sure look swell...

I originally had them on my (bought new in 1970 as a senior at Lynwood High)521, then transfered them over to my '79 King Cab...perfect style IMO

 

Vicdat

 

 

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