The 620-z

[craig2001]

Hi guys, 

I figured it was about time I threw a write up together about the truck I spent the the best part of a year building to finally make a deadline of my own wedding.

So a couple years ago I found Datsun 620 in a barn, it was tucked away in an equestrian facility between footballers houses right by tottenham hotspur's training ground.
 

Before buying this I had never even heard of the truck but from the pictures alone I fell in love and started mentally building the project.

I am a big fan of resto-mod's so knew from the get go that this would require some new suspension and running gear, once I had it back in the workshop I took measurements and came to the conclusion that the MX-5 would be an ideal candidate for suspension geometry due to its track width and the trucks weight being so similar.

 

As for the running gear I wanted to keep it in the Nissan family and due to the trucks short nose I decided to pick up a 350Z as a donor and carry everything I could over to the truck. 

 

And thus began the build of the Datsun 620-z

 

 

 

 

 

 

[craig2001]

The truck had not moved in 30+ years and once home a good clean was needed,

The car was like a time capsule inside containing everything that was in it on the last day it was used, news papers, documentation, money, even the recipt for the Ford pickup that inevitably replaced the datsun and saw it parked up in storage.

Next of course came the breakdown and after a good clean I began stripping her down.

 

 

the brake fluid had seen better days 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[craig2001]

Next up was a big step.

I decided i would commit to the MX-5 suspension but simply welding in a front sub-frame from an MX-5 as I had seen some examples of would not be something I want to do.

they are far to ugly, bulky, rusty, flimsy  and fairly impracticable where space is concerned for what I would like to do.

So with that in mid It was clear I would fabricate something of my own using the MX-5 subframe as a basis and transfer over the desired mounting points to achieve the desired geometry 

So I began by making a subframe jig....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once that was complete I began making my own subframe

 

 

 

 

[craig2001]

After completing the lower of the subframe jig I had both a level point to take measurements off and something substantial to weld into position, So I began modifying the chassis to accept its new front frame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up was to create top mounts for the suspension uprights. I had saved the top mounts cut from the MX5 so that I could bolt to two holes pre drilled in the top of the upper arm mount so that I could achieve alignment. 

 

 

 

 

 

And then she was back down on her own feet up front

 

 

 

 

[frank88]

Following this for sure. Is this up to date now? Can't remember if this is the truck I've seen on facebook. You based in the UK?

[craig2001]

I am indeed based in the UK,

The truck is complete now.
I will slowly get updates onto here, all my pictures are ready to post so just need to get them onto here.
may do a batch a day or something 

[5t341tH]

very cool. i'd like to see how the vq fits in there

[craig2001]

Thanks I will do my best to keep the posts coming as quick as possible

 

[Charlie69]

Great find and you jumped in with both feet hitting the ground running!   Nice work and I like that you are taking your own approach instead of replicating someone elses build.  Great individuality!

[craig2001]

Thanks, I definitely do my best to keep it some what unique along the build, I will see if i can get another couple more posts up today

 

[]2eDeYe]

In for VQ fitment :)

[craig2001]

I will have some pics up shortly 😉

 

[craig2001]

Next up i turned my attention to the rear of the chassis and began to consider how I would mount the rear subframe. For the rear thanks to the available space I knew i wanted to keep it as a removable bolt on item for ease of maintenance. 

 

Upon measuring I found that the rear sub-frame would sit perfectly between the chassis rails.

It seemed all to easy on paper but with a little measuring it became quite obvious that the rails would cause issue with the upper rear wishbone and also the coilover itself.

 

I found a few versions people had done by notching parts around the vital components but that was not for me so I knew some drastic chassis cutting was needed. 

 

Which is what follows.

 

 First I removed every unnecessary bracket

 

 

next I made up the ideal chassis section that will need to replace what is existing.

 

 

 

Once that was made I could actually begin to weld the item into the rear of the chassis without making any cuts to the existing chassis legs. This plus a number of ugly braces welded in were perfect to prevent the chassis from moving when cuts were made.

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see this allowed me to do one side at a time completing it in two halveds. Once the chassis rails were complete I could move to complete some more extensive bracing.

 

 

 

 

 

And finally back down on all 4 wheels with twin wishbone independent suspension :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[]2eDeYe]

Excellent fab work B)

[craig2001]

l

[craig2001]

Looking back I am just happy after some extensive shake downs the design and welding has held up perfect. 

although some changes have since been made

[Charlie69]

You do have some mad fab skills!

[Farmer]

Wow

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

You tackled the rear section exactly as I would have. Nice work.

 

I have seen this truck before. Instagram maybe? I am mstoffregen on Instagram.

[craig2001]

Yes its on instagram to some extent. Im craigdatsun620z

[INDY510]

Holy cow!  this is an awesome project! 

[tr8er]

Nothing wacky.  Just well thought out, well executed fabrication.  I’m loving it.  

[wayno]

Farmer took the word right out of my mouth, this is awesome, my first question would be how long it took from when you pulled the engine to when you started it up and pulled it out of the garage under it's own power?

This is reminding me of the MX520 top secret project which took a couple years. 

[craig2001]

It was about 10 months.

I work 9 to 5 so only had the evenings and the weekends i was willing to give up.

 

 

[wayno]

10 months part time, and an equally hard part yet to come.

 

WOW!