Want to have a Datsun 1500, is it worth it?

[UniStudent2536]

I've been saving and looking to buy a Datsun 1500, it's currently priced at slightly above 1200USD here in Indonesia. But at that price, I would have to fix a lot of stuff. I don't know how, and I don't know how much I must spend. Most of the defects would be bodywork, either rusting, or even completely eaten away by the rust. Some missing exterior parts and damaged wiring. Is it something I can take to a body repair shop and have them fix for me?

Second question is regarding to engine/motor swap. I want to swap its engine to something that is a little bit more common here. I'm looking at a Toyota 7K-series from Toyota Kijang, 4AGE 16v, or a 4AGE 20v. I'm looking for something that I can easily find the parts of, and won't require cutting the firewall or making any changes to the cabin. Preferably, only the engine needs to be replaced, not transmission, drivetrain, nor the rear axle. There's also the fuel problem, here, cars above 2000cc have to use RON92+ fuels, and those aren't subsidized at 0.85USD - 1.10USD per 1 liter. While the subsidized one is RON90 fuel at a price of 0.50USD per 1 liter. So, having an engine with displacement less than 2000cc would be nice. But having a good power output is nice as well, so it would be best if there is a common ground.

I haven't bought the car yet, I want to know if it is possible with only 4500USD(including the car). So, I turned to this forum for help and I hope you can help me with finding a better and cheaper engine/motor.

I'm sorry if there's any grammatical errors, and would like to thank you beforehand.

Edit: Something that can last 5-10 years would be nice 🙂

 

[datzenmike]

Car? what's it called there? Bluebird, Violet?

 

 Best to find the most complete car you can find for the money you have available. This avoids saving $1,000 on a cheaper car only to spend $2,500 on parts and labor to fix it.

 

 

Very unlikely that a Toyota engine will bolt up to a Datsun transmission, so get the transmission also. Is someone doing the engine/transmission swap for you?

 

How will the authorities know it has a swapped in larger displacement engine? Also  an engine's compression ratio determines if it needs higher octane 92.

 

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Probably talking about a 1500 Fairlady roadster.

[datzenmike]

 Aren't they 1600 and 2000?

[67_1600]

The 1500 was sold in '64 and '65.

[EDM620]

5 hours ago, datzenmike said:

 Best to find the most complete car you can find for the money you have available. This avoids saving $1,000 on a cheaper car only to spend $2,500 on parts and labor to fix it.

 

This is the ultimate truth. Without oodles of money and skills, saving on a cheaper project you cannot afford the complete will be a waste of your time and the money. Many projects end up unfinished because the dream doesn't align with reality.

 

Regardless of what model you are looking at, body parts are the hardest to find used or an aftermarket piece.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

2 hours ago, datzenmike said:

 Aren't they 1600 and 2000?

In North America. I've driven a right hand drive 1500 Fairlady roadster.

[datzenmike]

My info only goes back to '65 and the SP311. There was a 1,595cc and 1,982cc mentioned. Just missed the 1500 which was likely the SP310.

 

[UniStudent2536]

11 hours ago, Stoffregen Motorsports said:

Probably talking about a 1500 Fairlady roadster.

The Datsun 1500 is Indonesian 620, with the long bed.

 

 

12 hours ago, datzenmike said:

Car? what's it called there? Bluebird, Violet?

 

 Best to find the most complete car you can find for the money you have available. This avoids saving $1,000 on a cheaper car only to spend $2,500 on parts and labor to fix it.

 

 

Very unlikely that a Toyota engine will bolt up to a Datsun transmission, so get the transmission also. Is someone doing the engine/transmission swap for you?

 

How will the authorities know it has a swapped in larger displacement engine? Also  an engine's compression ratio determines if it needs higher octane 92.

 

 

It's called the Datsun 1500 pickup, here in Indonesia

The authorities will know when the once-every-5-year vehicle checkup, they will check the chassis code number and engine code number. There's also a checkup for pickups every 6 months, checking its brakes, lights, rearview mirrors, and engine emission. I'm looking for 9/1 to 10/1 compression ratio engine. 

[datzenmike]

Yes, I know of it. 1500 is the J15 engine used elsewhere outside north America.

 

I thought California was bad for vehicle checks.

[UniStudent2536]

1 hour ago, datzenmike said:

Yes, I know of it. 1500 is the J15 engine used elsewhere outside north America.

 

I thought California was bad for vehicle checks.

From what I know, here the 1500 uses the L-series motor.

Here the government feels like they want to monetize every single thing. The most recent thing is they're threatening to ban Google, Whatsapp, Twitter, and other social medias unless the companies register their services and grant the government to access user information if necessary. This may allow them to look into someone's DM and just arrest people, idk I'm not a big fan of politics.

Anyways, Thank you all for the help here. I will carefully consider your replies and I hope you all have a nice pleasant day and a wonderful week. 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Nissan never built an L15, that I know of. Here is a list of Nissan inline four engines - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nissan_engines#Straight-4

 

A 4AG is a pretty high strung engine and doesn't make a lot of torque. So that wouldn't be my first choice. Obviously I don't know what's available to you there in Indonesia, but there has to be a more common, larger displacement engine that would work.

 

Did they offer the KA24 in anything there? If so, that's the most popular swap. That and maybe an SR20. Honda K24 swap is becoming more and more popular too.

[datzenmike]

The J15 will have a stamped steel valve cover, the L series are cast aluminum.

[DarkBlack]

20 hours ago, UniStudent2536 said:

From what I know, here the 1500 uses the L-series motor.

Here the government feels like they want to monetize every single thing. The most recent thing is they're threatening to ban Google, Whatsapp, Twitter, and other social medias unless the companies register their services and grant the government to access user information if necessary. This may allow them to look into someone's DM and just arrest people, idk I'm not a big fan of politics.

Anyways, Thank you all for the help here. I will carefully consider your replies and I hope you all have a nice pleasant day and a wonderful week. 

hey there,

 

i got a Datsun 1500 Imported from Greece. 

As Far as i Know, The Datsun 1500 was sold in Australia, Greece, Thailand, Indonesia came with the J15 Engine.

Mine also Is a Longbed J15 , 4-speed Manual, Floor shift.

 

i´ve looked around for a Engine Swap too, here in Europe the KA24 is pretty common, i saw someone put a VW/Audi 1.8T engine in it wich fitted Really well, maybe thats the way to go, but im not sure if the 1.8t is common in Indonesia. But would solve your max. 2.0 Problem and has enough power even stock.

 

Markus

[RyanC]

Yep down under they are Datsun 1500's, long bed or short bed, most here had flat trays i believe installed.

 

Anychance there are SR20's in Indonesia?  A straight SR20DE will be really driveable, great power and easily fit.  

[UniStudent2536]

On 7/22/2022 at 7:20 AM, RyanC said:

Yep down under they are Datsun 1500's, long bed or short bed, most here had flat trays i believe installed.

 

Anychance there are SR20's in Indonesia?  A straight SR20DE will be really driveable, great power and easily fit.  

SR20DET is listed at about 4000 USD here in Indonesia. I don't have that kind of money 😞

[UniStudent2536]

On 7/21/2022 at 5:22 PM, DarkBlack said:

hey there,

 

i got a Datsun 1500 Imported from Greece. 

As Far as i Know, The Datsun 1500 was sold in Australia, Greece, Thailand, Indonesia came with the J15 Engine.

Mine also Is a Longbed J15 , 4-speed Manual, Floor shift.

 

i´ve looked around for a Engine Swap too, here in Europe the KA24 is pretty common, i saw someone put a VW/Audi 1.8T engine in it wich fitted Really well, maybe thats the way to go, but im not sure if the 1.8t is common in Indonesia. But would solve your max. 2.0 Problem and has enough power even stock.

 

Markus

I live in Indonesia, yes. I think the 2.0 and 1.8 is not that numerous, is it possible to just use motors from another Datsun cars of the same era such as 160J, 260C, and 120Y? I saw KA24DE listed at about 1000 USD on Alibaba, I think that might be the better option. But can the KA24DE fit without much modifications in the 620 or 521?

[RyanC]

11 hours ago, UniStudent2536 said:

SR20DET is listed at about 4000 USD here in Indonesia. I don't have that kind of money 😞

Yep I understand that.  Here in Australia the SR is the go to datsun swap, not many KA's but we never got 240sx's either so they were only ever in the early trucks I think.

 

Why not find a L series?

 

If a 4age is cheap but you will need adapter for gearbox or swap gearbox as well,

[DarkBlack]

15 hours ago, UniStudent2536 said:

I live in Indonesia, yes. I think the 2.0 and 1.8 is not that numerous, is it possible to just use motors from another Datsun cars of the same era such as 160J, 260C, and 120Y? I saw KA24DE listed at about 1000 USD on Alibaba, I think that might be the better option. But can the KA24DE fit without much modifications in the 620 or 521?

i dont know about Other Engines, but there is Pre-Fabbed Motormounts for a KA24 for sale on this Forum , dont know the Username but you should Take a Look in the 620 Parts Thread.