CicliDevotion Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 I'm finally starting to address the interior on my '83 4X4 that I picked up this summer... At some point in its history, this truck was somebody's "muddin'" and good times party machine. In addition to the mods made for the hard top convertible, the carpet/vinyl floor had been removed and the floor and back of the cab behind the seats were painted black with a brush. The tweaker antics didn't stop there. There is LOADS of Mickey Mousing for aftermarket accessories...all of which are currently non-functional. Switches were mounted for driving lights, an additional interior light was cut into the under-dash console, power locks seem to have been installed. There is some sort of aftermarket cruise control unit. Some toggle switches and interior lights cut into the center console. On and on. My plan is to pull out ALL of the aftermarket BS, lay down a new vinyl floor mat kit, tidy the necessary/stock electrical, deal with the black paint on the back wall of the cab behind the seats, reupholster the stock seats and do a general Clean Up as I make it MY good times party machine. There are a few black trim pieces (arm rests, window cranks, seat belts, seat belt buckles) that I will swap out for the correct brown as well. 1) It appears that the black paint was just brushed over the yellow body color. It's chipping off easily in some places (mostly on the floor pan, where I don't plan to spend time removing it cause I will be covering it when I lay down the new vinyl mat kit), but on the back wall behind the seats, I am debating between (a) trying to strip just the black paint and (b) sanding and priming and painting just that back panel in a brown to match the interior trim color and the "card' that I have seen on other 4x4 720s of the era. Any ideas on how to remove just the black paint without roughing up the yellow factory paint? 2) I'm missing 2 floor pan drain plugs. The holes are about 1" in diameter. Is this a universal size that I should be able to find anywhere? Or is it recommended that I find a OEM spec? Anyone have a source for them? 3) I have a few other smaller holes (ranging from 1/8" - 1/4") in the floor pan and on the back wall that need addressing. I see a few spots where there are what appear to be some sort of adhesive backed "stickers" that cover other holes. Any idea where to find these? Or suggestions on what else to use to cover these smaller holes? 4) On the far left side of the dash, on the bottom, are 2 rectangular pop out "inserts" that allow for placement of aftermarket switches, etc. I plan to remove the weird Cruise Control unit in place as well as 2 other sloppy and non-functional switches. Anyone know of a source for some uncut/unmolested "covers" in brown? 5) My rear slider window has a shattered panel...Fortunately, I have another window to replace it with. But neither has it's handles/latch. Anyone have some? 6) I noticed that on the seat belt currently installed, there is a wiring connector on the passenger side buckle. (Drivers side buckle is missing.) On the brown replacement set of buckles I have, there is a wiring connector on the DRIVERS side buckle only. I only see the opposite end of the connector on the wiring on the drivers side of the truck. Should BOTH buckles have wiring connectors for sensors? 7) On the wall behind the drivers seat, near the floor, there are 3 bolts (about 1/8" in diameter) that go through the cab, each passing through a rubber bushing (about 1/2" in diameter, 3/4" long). One of them has a ring terminal tightened on to it with...you guessed it...a cut wire. Anybody have any idea what these could be for? From what I can tell, they don't currently serve any function. Were these for something stock? Or more Mickey Mousing? 2 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Sounds like you are going to be better off pulling the entire interior and reinstalling everything after a good cleaning. It's one of my favorite parts of the job. You'd be amazed at how fresh you can make it with a good cleaning. Good luck. 2 Quote Link to comment
CicliDevotion Posted December 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Dash and door cards are actually looking pretty decent! I’m gonna replace the center console because (a) the holes cut out for toggle switches, which aren’t connected to anything and (b) it’s really “chalky” looking. Seats and floor and kick panels and rear panel and seatbelts are out, so I think I’ve pulled everything out that’s in need of attention? After painting the rear and plugging some holes, I think I’m ready to start putting stuff back in. Just have to resolve a few things like the “mystery bolts” before paint, etc 2 Quote Link to comment
Madkaw Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Hard top convertible????? 1 Quote Link to comment
CicliDevotion Posted December 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Indeed! I believe it was a RagTime kit? 1 Quote Link to comment
CicliDevotion Posted December 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 5 Quote Link to comment
Madkaw Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 That is so cool. Is it water tight ? 1 Quote Link to comment
CicliDevotion Posted December 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 Hell nah! 2 Quote Link to comment
bottomwatcher Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 The window glass must flap in the breeze Like a flag. Well you have your work cut out but it looks good for minimal rust. Was there any kind of reinforcing to the frame or body for the top mods? 1 Quote Link to comment
CicliDevotion Posted December 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 No reinforcement, no. Top off driving will likely be cruising along the beach, not high speed highway driving. 1 Quote Link to comment
Lockleaf Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 Try oven cleaner to remove the black paint. Often it will leave the paint beneath relatively unmolested. That convertible kit is great. Dodge actually sold a Dakota like that in 89 3 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 I believe Dodge remains the only modern vehicle manufacturer to have produced a convertible pickup en masse. I completely missed the fact that this Nissan has a removable top. Very cool. 2 Quote Link to comment
CicliDevotion Posted December 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 I'm fairly certain it was a kit from RagTime, made by C.R. Laurence here in LA. I have seen some ads in old magazines. From what I can tell, it was basically cut and then capped with some plastic trim that was molded for the 720. There are 5 hinges that hold it down. I'll snap some pics and post to this thread later in the week. The headliner treatment and finishing of the seam are pretty cool details. Rubber isn't in the best of shape, so I am going to need to eventually do some retrofitting. I think it'll never be water tight though... 1 Quote Link to comment
CicliDevotion Posted December 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 2 Quote Link to comment
DIY 1985 Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 (edited) The FJ45 (pickup) did it from the factory as well. Its windshield is hinged. It is hooked to the hood when folded down, and when the windshield is up (without the hard top, or bikini top) it is hooked to the dash. See page 5 on this thread. https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/preserving-patina-how-to-tips-and-tricks.1097611/page-5#post-12080265 Edited December 19, 2018 by DIY 1985 2 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 True. How could I forget about the FJ45? Toyotas are my business. The use of the word "convertible" is in question for this truck though. A convertible has a soft top that is stowed by folding it down without any removal of parts. It's not really a roadster either, because roadsters don't have wind up windows. I guess hard top convertible is the best term for this Nissan. 1 Quote Link to comment
Jon's AD3 720 Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 I am in the process of trying to buy 3 720s for $500. (he doesn't know what he has. i hope) I only looked at them briefly to ask if they were for sale, and I need to go back and do some more digging. the guy said two of them were 83s and one was an 84. The point being, the two 83s, one of which I didn’t get pictures of, match your truck. The one I didn’t get pictures of is in better shape than the one I did get pictures of, and I was told has a running motor. I will more than likely go back up there Christmas eve to take a better look. If someone can tell me how to post pictures I can post the hasty pictures I took. Don’t know how long they have been sitting, and they are in one of the wettest climates in the country. I can see if they have the parts that you are looking for since I am only planning on making two usable trucks from the three. posting picture help? 1 Quote Link to comment
CicliDevotion Posted December 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 The pictures need to be hosted somewhere like Flickr, etc. Then you can post links to the pics using the URL via the "Insert Other Media" tab on the lower right of the reply window. 1 Quote Link to comment
Jon's AD3 720 Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 These definitely aren’t Arizona trucks and they need some TLC, but there is hopefully lots of good about them when I dig deeper. There are two of the yellow 83s. one is not pictured and is in better condition. 2 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 I like the last one. I get to Washington next summer I would would be interested in the camper shell and possibly more if you are going to sell some parts. 1 Quote Link to comment
Jon's AD3 720 Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 when you do, send me a message and have a look. 1 Quote Link to comment
CicliDevotion Posted December 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 I have a small list of interior trim pieces that I need...Please let me know if these trucks come in to your life! 1 Quote Link to comment
Jon's AD3 720 Posted December 23, 2018 Report Share Posted December 23, 2018 will do. 1 Quote Link to comment
Madkaw Posted December 27, 2018 Report Share Posted December 27, 2018 The brown one looks ready to go ! wish mine looked that good 1 Quote Link to comment
Jon's AD3 720 Posted December 28, 2018 Report Share Posted December 28, 2018 unfortunately that is the one with the seized engine. kid ran it out of oil. 1 Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.