PtheDude Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Okay, I just spent the day driving all the way down to Olympia and hagglin with a lot for a 75 620. yes, a lot, and yes I paid a bit too much and had to actually "Pay Taxes" Oh well, I think she's a beaut! I just bought a house, and really needed a truck. I've rented uhauls in the past and just didn't want to piss away another 3-4 bills again. So I started looking at craigslist. Sure, I could have bought a Ranger, or even an mazda 2600 for less money. But I can really even try to work on something 80's. Plus the old Datsuns are really cool little trucks. It's got a 4 speed and barely does 55 and sounds like its gonna blow. Who's got a 5 speed? I need to buy one and figure out if I need to pay a pro to help me get it done, or If I can handle it ( slowly with much swearing and reading of manuals... Some of you Craigslist fiends may have seen this little beauty.... Its completely stock except the wheels, and everything works, except the windshield juice. but the pump runs! http://picasaweb.google.com/Lysakers/Datsun75Shorty Quote Link to comment
datsun dreamer Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Welcome to the forum, your truck is nice looks like its been well kept. as far as 5speeds i need one myself, I had that same problem 55 mph at @3500 rpms i went with 3:70's on the rear end and it helped alot, the 5speed would be better but i would guess alot more $$$ and complicated. Quote Link to comment
PtheDude Posted July 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Thanks man, did you put the gear in yourself? Was the brutal? I'm an old VW owner, and have been driving a water cooled car for so long, don't have much in the way for real tools. I'd like to get hooked into the right people. Quote Link to comment
Icehouse Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Install the 280zx trans the last 2 years have a super high 5th... I forget the exact years though.... Bleach would know but he's to good for the forums lately... :) Quote Link to comment
PtheDude Posted July 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 I'll send him a PM to find what year exactly... Do I have to pull the motor? Does that just drop in? same clutch drive train, etc? Can anyone here do this for a reasonable price? hayes manual coming, was really good at dropping my VW notchback motor, but will need to slowly get rolling again with tools, etc. Quote Link to comment
Icehouse Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 You do not need to pull the engine, it is tuff on a 620 to get to the rear bolts though. I don't know the exact years for the free way fifth zx trans. Like paying some dude to swap it? Quote Link to comment
lynchfourtwenty Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 the problem with the zx tranny is it makes the little trucks kinda slow i've been told.. and thats not fun.. its all a bolt in swap.. not sure about the 75 if it has a different drive line then the 77 but u use the same l20b clutch kit and all an just bolt the tranny in as a replacement.. if your going to haul stuff with the clutch you dont want to lose your low end torque Quote Link to comment
datsunaholic Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Slow for a speed demon like yourself, lynch... The ZX tranny is fine on the freeway... getting to the freeway, well, leaves something to be desired and trying to get moving uphill with a load (when I mean load, I mean a couple engine blocks here) can be tough on the clutch. For the best compromise the '77-79 Z or '77-78 truck trannys are good. Quote Link to comment
lynchfourtwenty Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 thats what im sayin! "I WANNA GO FAST!" Quote Link to comment
datsun dreamer Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 I didn't install the 3:70's myself i went to a place in whittier,ca. called mikes z shop..... all together it cost @$450 parts and labor a little expensive but i definately noticed the difference! I beleive the gears came from a 84-85 nissan maxima? Quote Link to comment
Bleach Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 1981-83 non-turbo 280ZX has the tallest 5th gear. I think that transmission plus leaving the 4.375in is a good combination. Forget the 3.7 and 4-speed. The 5-speed keeps your shifting closer together anyway. I went with the tall transmission and a 4.11 rear gear. That was a bit too much. With how little torque it had, even though the rpms were low I wonder if it really got much better gas milage. You have to be in the throttle a bit more to get going. The truck was stolen before I could even calculate my milage. The transmission will swap out with the engine still in but it is difficult. There is a center crossmember in the truck that is non-removable. You have to tilt the engine a bit for the input shaft to clear the clutch. Also, buy a new 225mm clutch kit including a throwout bearing. Might as well replace that while its opened up. Since the ad is deleted, did you get that standard cab red truck for about $2000? Quote Link to comment
Icehouse Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 I enjoy my zx trans, I haven't hooked up my tach to see freeway rpms though. My ka pulls nice at any freeway speeds in fifth with a good load in the back. I have never needed to downshift. So a L20 should be fine with the zx trans. Quote Link to comment
SHADY280 Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 77-79 is a great tranny, the 82-83 ones are the taller geared version, 80 and 81 seem to be a mix, ive never really seemed to figure that one out. Quote Link to comment
lynchfourtwenty Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 either way if its killing your acceleration and or hauling abilitys its not worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get the earlier model z 5 speeds or the 620 5spd.. l20bs do not produce enough power, if you change the rear end gearing u maybe able to recover some of the loss i dont know.. but you'll end up in the same position you started with Quote Link to comment
datsunaholic Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 I only have an L18 and that ZX tranny... in a King Cab I went for gas mileage. 35 freeway. With a 50 mile each way commute it's worth it. And I don't drive speeds to attract law enforcement officials. Once they get started, there's lots to "tack on". Quote Link to comment
Bleach Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 no, do the swap. On the super rare occasion you're hauling big loads on the freeway then 55 and 4th gear is your friend. Its that easy. I hauled 5000lbs total weight with my wimpy L18. Truck loaded, passenger, longbed 620 trailer loaded as well all to the dump. Yes, I went on the freeway. Quote Link to comment
PtheDude Posted July 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 Datsunholics got one in a red 75 rusting at his house. He doesnt know it yet, but he's selling it to me super cheap because he needs the room, and just wants it gone! Bleach, I did indeed by the truck. I'd been lurking for a few months, trying to be paitent. When Shorty popped up, I jumped. You'll be amazed at how clean it is. http://picasaweb.google.com/Lysakers/Datsun75Shorty So I'm on a mission to stock it out completely, other then a few things that just make sense, EI, better rims, 5 speed, right mirrors, new dash and Tach. If you or anyone is looking to make some extra cash and help me pull and then drop in the 5 speed, PM me and lets get dirty! Quote Link to comment
lynchfourtwenty Posted July 27, 2007 Report Share Posted July 27, 2007 stock is cool.... if your a sandy vagina... do custom!!! hahahahah jk jk jk do what u like man, but she'll look good either way Quote Link to comment
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