Steroid Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Here is Funtana as of today. The classic look of a Pacific Top shell!!!!! The rear window still needs to be tinted in the morning and a SWDP sticker added, but this is how Funtana will stay now. Quote Link to comment
OG lil E Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Wow, what a time machine! NICE! E Quote Link to comment
BEEBANI Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Very pimp Mike, me likey! Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Jeez Mike that totally changes the look! I like...:D watch out for golf balls...:lol: Quote Link to comment
dat620 Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 wow mike, that is sweet, did i mention , that is sweet, true old school:D Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Love the wing :D Quote Link to comment
LAYEDOUTB2K Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 NICE. definitely something Funtana was missing Quote Link to comment
phatdave Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Us oldsters RULE!!! You punk assed bitches pay attention! :D look and learn from Steroid! Any of you that don't know me must realize I'm just having a bit of sport,okay? Don't get offended by my comment. Dave feel free to scathe me Quote Link to comment
Steroid Posted February 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Thanks guys ! ! ! That was how it was done and I tried My best to capture a moment in time to share it with You. Once again, I just wish that I could take all You guys in a time machine to a run in 1976 and see 800+ of these rigs in one place at one time ! ! ! At least You get the idea what We did then. If You like this.......... stay tuned to what I'm going to do with Wasserman's Wonder!!! Hi Dave ! ! ! How are You feeling? Hope all is going well. Take care. Quote Link to comment
moparvwfreak Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 short of the headlight setup, i like it! Quote Link to comment
ImInked Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 nice! that brings back lots of memories. I used to belong to FMT (Foothill Mini Truckers) they were in La Crescenta CA., and then Slo-Ryde Minis. They were based in the San Fernando Valley. Lots of those style trucks! Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 nice! that brings back lots of memories. I used to belong to FMT (Foothill Mini Truckers) they were in La Crescenta CA., and then Slo-Ryde Minis. They were based in the San Fernando Valley. Lots of those style trucks! OOOHHH old school club memories there! Do you know John conrad..was the pres of Foothill. Sorry Mike for the hijack :D Quote Link to comment
ImInked Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Vaguely. I used to hang with a guy named Dave Dempster. He had a red 620 KC with a pass thru to the bed and shell. Quote Link to comment
GMSPNKR Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 that baby looks SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D Quote Link to comment
OL YELLER Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 MIKE!!!!!! Dood you did it so RIGHT... That green meanie is so period correct. Thanks for bringin the memories back......... GREAT LOOK Mike....................................... Did i mention that I LIKE it? Quote Link to comment
Steroid Posted February 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 Thanks guys!!!! This is even more of a trip to drive now!!! It is so close to My old orange 1974 that I built in 1980. I guess that it must be either "different" or bright as people going the other way really "rubberneck" while I pass!!! Note: If any of You EVER SEE ANOTHER WING at a wrecking yard, on an old van setting around somewhere (where I found this one), PLEASE let Me know or buy it for Me!!! It took Me (8 years ago) over 2 years of bugging the Chevy van owner that this wing was on to finally sell it to Me. Wasserman's Wonder needs a wing. I have drilled it for this wing to change out back and forth but I am hoping to find a perminate one someday. Anyone of You guys see an old custom van with one on top??? Thanks, Mike Quote Link to comment
mike Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Is the surface of that wing made of flat stock that is bent or is it more like an aircraft wing? How hard would it be to make one? The mounts look like theyd be the hardest things to copy. Quote Link to comment
mike Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Just noticed the louvered license plate. Thats cool:cool: Quote Link to comment
datrod Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 That looks so good Mike. Takes me back to high school dayz, :D Quote Link to comment
Steroid Posted February 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 OK, it's time for "wingology 101" This wing is an aluminum extrusion. It is hollow. What they did was to make a bent or curved extrusion that, of all things, had four incorporated areas where small nails could hold the ends on. It is very hard to explain without a drawing but the ends were actually 2 pieces of aluminum sheet that was pressed for the end. Then four small holes were drilled where the extrusion would acomodate the nails to hold them in place. The end pieces were bent when I obtained it so I simply bought 3/8" aluminum plate and used one of the original un-bent pieces to draw the outline. After cutting and shaping correctly, I had them welded to each end of the wing. The "pillars" are also made out of aluminum sheet and bent to make "streamlined" mounts. I never had a wing like this one before but I remember them. The other type was made by a shop and distributed by Moon. I found an ad (I'll post it later) in a Hotrod issue from 1968 and actually showed it to Moon last year to see about re-issue. They said "no" unfortunently. If You guys see any of any vintage type, please pick them up. Quote Link to comment
datsun dreamer Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 love the New Look Mike:)! Realy brings back the original style that set off the Mini Truck Scene:cool:! Will you maybe do a walkthru conversion in the future? That would look real cool:D! Quote Link to comment
Icehouse Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 Steroid I had a strange question for you regarding your trucks. Does the massive lean mess with the engine oiling system? Or effect anything else on the engine? Does it change the caster? Are you coming to Canby? I want to go for a ride :D Quote Link to comment
Steroid Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 Hi Icehouse!!! As I've told You guys, I've never been a "motorhead". With that in mind, I really don't know. I drove My Datsun SS about 80,000 miles, My kingcab about 50,000 miles and My old orange truck about 20,000 miles lowered that way. They never broke down. I have always on all My vehicles changed the oil and filter at around 3,000 miles. That is the only answer I can give. Everyone else back then had Their trucks lowered and with this thought in mind: We were still on factory warantees....... and the dealers never told anyone that I knew or Myself to raise them back up. The only thing that I have ever been told with Datsuns is: Do NOT use WATER in the radiator, ONLY use a coolant mix and NEVER let them overheat!! I have tried My best on all trucks that I have owned to do this but twice I have overheated a truck. The coolant level dropped and I didn't notice it. But oil-wise, I've never had a problem. This might be a good topic, though, to ask on the engine thread. Good question!!!!!! Quote Link to comment
Steroid Posted February 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 Hi again Icehouse, I noticed I didn't answer the caster part. Yes, it does affect it. If You look at My photos closely, such as the one of Funtana and Choptana at the Roddin' On The River event thread, You will really see it on that picture. On My old orange truck, I took the time to put shims between the upper control arm and the frame. As it was, at that time, My daily transportation, I had to do that. On My trucks today, I drive them so rarely that I haven't done anything yet. I've only driven Funtana about 300 miles since it was built and Choptana about 80, so I'm not yet really tearing up the front tires too bad. Interesingly enough, My neighbor came over and rode about 10 miles in Choptana one day. When We returned, He took a heat sensing gun that He uses in His work and went over the truck starting with the rear wheel. The passenger's side brake was adjusted too tight and He wanted to see just how much it heated up on that drive. What was COOL, was that He checked the engine temp, all of the cooling hoses, the wheel bearings and then the FRONT TIRES. The gun actually showed the outside of the tires hotter from friction than the inside!! So yes, there is definate wear going on as indicated by that awesome machine!! Oh yeah, He also told Me that a gun like that runs about $1,000.00 bucks!!!! But I learned a lot that day, to answer Your question. Quote Link to comment
datsun 160J SSS Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 wow I was back in 1978 all over AGIAN . I still have my LOW CONVERSON 4X4 620 not the same as a street mini but from the same time but still the same a mini :) Quote Link to comment
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