looking for reproduction round plug for dash cluster Datsun 510

[Retro Wave]

I am at the moment trying to rewire my dad's '70 Datsun 510 wagon and would like to replace my round plug that goes on the back of the dash cluster. i looked around online to see if they have reproductions available but had no luck. anyone knows where i can find this type of connector?

[ggzilla]

It was used on Datsun 510, Datsun 620, Datsun 1200, Datsun B210

[Dguy210]

51 minutes ago, Retro Wave said:

I am at the moment trying to rewire my dad's '70 Datsun 510 wagon and would like to replace my round plug that goes on the back of the dash cluster. i looked around online to see if they have reproductions available but had no luck. anyone knows where i can find this type of connector?

 

Is it missing or just damaged? I've never seen a repo for this and I did search.

Most likely your options are to find a used one as they are on several models and depin and repin it as appropriate.

You could also model it up and 3D print one as they are pretty simple in design (or as it is basically 12 holes around a center pin just start with a model of an analog clock and resize and modify it). 

[Retro Wave]

i dont have it (wiring never came with the car) 

 

I would have thought that they reproduce this piece since its such an important part/connector. I wonder if they sell those pins as well, i tried depinning my fuse box and that was nerve racking because of all the bending i was doing to get the pin/terminal off the wire i thought they would break off (50yr old brass=soft metal=easy to break)

 

ok thanks Dguy210, I'll keep looking. i think some Mopar vehicles have a similar connector but don't know if the size/teeth/wire count/connection orientation are the same

[Dguy210]

10 hours ago, Retro Wave said:

i dont have it (wiring never came with the car) 

 

I would have thought that they reproduce this piece since its such an important part/connector. I wonder if they sell those pins as well, i tried depinning my fuse box and that was nerve racking because of all the bending i was doing to get the pin/terminal off the wire i thought they would break off (50yr old brass=soft metal=easy to break)

 

ok thanks Dguy210, I'll keep looking. i think some Mopar vehicles have a similar connector but don't know if the size/teeth/wire count/connection orientation are the same

 

Toyotas use a very similar connector but it is 14 not 12 pin. The pins for the wires are pretty easily available by themselves so you could repin the individual wires and just stick them onto the back of the cluster carefully one by one and then take some kind of putty/epoxy and make a plug (maybe tape up the console back first so it comes off cleanly).

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/jae-electronics/030-51304-001/5396896

[Draker]

I'd just post an ad in the classifieds. There are dozens of these floating around. I probably tossed a few of these before since they are on old ratty dash harnesses and are usually in good shape.

[Retro Wave]

On 7/16/2025 at 8:03 PM, Dguy210 said:

 

Toyotas use a very similar connector but it is 14 not 12 pin. The pins for the wires are pretty easily available by themselves so you could repin the individual wires and just stick them onto the back of the cluster carefully one by one and then take some kind of putty/epoxy and make a plug (maybe tape up the console back first so it comes off cleanly).

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/jae-electronics/030-51304-001/5396896

thanks for the link Dguy210, i was looking for that. i tried the Mopar pigtail connector since it looks almost the same but it isn't because the teeth don't align with connector terminals. here are pictures for future reference (maybe it could help someone)

 

wow i was thinking of doing them individually yesterday as i was taking pictures but i wanted that replacement plastic black pigtail connector to make it look like the way it came from factory... i see what i find in the internet - maybe someone here has another idea would love to hear it + to learn ;  it looks like i might be doing them separate

 

ps that round connector is from my fathers other Datsun 510

[Retro Wave]

On 7/16/2025 at 8:03 PM, Dguy210 said:

 

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/jae-electronics/030-51304-001/5396896

i was ready to purchase these but stopped because the description says "24 - 28 awg". guessing i can't use that connector for my 14 gauge wires ? I am upgrading the wires to a 14 gauge since the original (16 gauge i believe) harness was cut up so bad that its unusable, copper corroded and very sloppy looking. 

[ggzilla]

14 gauge is pretty big, and can handle far more current than anything the goes to the dash ... 

 

14 gauge can run halogen headlights no problem

[Retro Wave]

10 hours ago, ggzilla said:

14 gauge is pretty big, and can handle far more current than anything the goes to the dash ... 

 

14 gauge can run halogen headlights no problem

i figure why not since the original cables were in poor condition and i thought maybe the wire gauge of the original wiring was a tad thin. 

 

Just for future reference; do you think a 18 gauge would be ok as well for an entire Datsun? vintage connections only has 14 gauge and 18 gauge but no 16 gauge wiring. i figured if i was doing an entire car i would want the best.

 

oh good to know on the halogen lights info, i do have a set of new aftermarket headlights already installed on the car and i didnt factor-in that.

Edited July 21, 2025 by Retro Wave

[ggzilla]

14 gauge is good for standard power H4 lights. The best wiring is light weight and plenty of current-carrying ability. Datsun did not skimp on the wiring. So I would use the same gauge Datsun used

[Retro Wave]

 at the moment i have already invest in 14 gauge wiring and have it half mocked up on the car at the moment; i just need to buy the terminals that connect to the round pigtail on the dash cluster. The link that dguy210 gave me was very useful but the wire size has to be 22-24 gauge to use those terminals. i been looking around and find other terminal options but unsure about the size that connects to the 10 male bullets (dash cluster), anyone bought replacement female pin connectors recently that can steer me in the right direction? 

 

just for reference two size bullet connectors (3.5mm and 4mm) i purchased from vintage connection will not work with the male pins that are on the cluster as the pins are smaller in diameter. maybe its a 2.8mm.... i need to find my digital inches/mm scale hand device to verify

 

i might not have the plastic round piece but i can always individually connect them and then wrap in black electrical tape to keep everything snug, just like dguy210 said