‘82 2wd 720 Front suspension confusion

[FirstTime]

Got my first Datsun (‘82 720 2WD SD22) 3 months ago. I am not super smart with cars, know boats better, but generally don’t get lost fixing stuff. 
 

I knew suspension needed work. Got shocks, bushings, bearings and ball joints to start. 
 

Jacked up the truck, took off front front tires and the droop is so bad the upper control arm is pinching against the shock. Nothing I’ve seen in the forums or online shows something this drastic. 
 

Truck did hit a deer before I got it but I was told it was fixed and has been a daily driver before and since. It does ride like crap but suspension is still somewhat there.
 

Best I can come up with is the torsion bars are probably set to heavy and I think I’m missing maybe a sway bar? But again I have no clue. 

Has anyone run across this or knows where I can start to correct this?

 

I am new and am working to figure out how to post images ASAP. 

[toshts]

2 hours ago, FirstTime said:

Got my first Datsun (‘82 720 2WD SD22) 3 months ago. I am not super smart with cars, know boats better, but generally don’t get lost fixing stuff. 
 

I knew suspension needed work. Got shocks, bushings, bearings and ball joints to start. 
 

Jacked up the truck, took off front front tires and the droop is so bad the upper control arm is pinching against the shock. Nothing I’ve seen in the forums or online shows something this drastic. 
 

Truck did hit a deer before I got it but I was told it was fixed and has been a daily driver before and since. It does ride like crap but suspension is still somewhat there.
 

Best I can come up with is the torsion bars are probably set to heavy and I think I’m missing maybe a sway bar? But again I have no clue. 

Has anyone run across this or knows where I can start to correct this?

 

I am new and am working to figure out how to post images ASAP. 

If I remember right sway bars were optional from the factory, mine didn't have one when I got it (snagged one from a junkyard). If the torsion bars are jacked up you're ride height would likely be too. 

Looking back on old vids before I added a swaybar it looks like my uca was pretty close to the shock with full droop but not touching with roughly stock settings on the torsion bars. 

 

Measure distance H, should give you a good idea of how the bars are set. Should you need to adjust them it's pretty easy, there's threads will tons of info on it. 

 

Also for images uplload to imjur (maybe other sites work too) and copy and paste to here

[FirstTime]

Ok sweet!

Thank you for the info! 

Going to go through it today and try to sort it.

I kinda think they abused the torsion bars to get clearance for slightly bigger tires.

 

Also, which service manual are you referencing from?

I obviously need to get a better one.

[datzenmike]

Go to e-Bay and find an original 1982 720 FSM (Factory Service Manual) produced by NISSAN. 

 

 

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/137298717942?

 

These are the absolute last word in information on all repair, adjustment and service procedures. Avoid Haynes, Clymore etc. They copy their info from the FSM and condense 6 years of 720 production into one thin booklet including mistakes.