1981 720 4x4 SD22 build

[breadbox]

Sweet Z. Looks fun.

Roof isn't that bad, should come out good.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

removed the offending fender and wheeled it a little bit to smooth out the wrinkle... Geez that was a lot of bolts.



Cleaning up the SD22 motor


and painting crap

[Master-O-Turbonics]

Got in some brackets from Artec industries. Ordered 6 2.5"X1.25" Johnny Joints from Currie enterprises.

Its all starting to come together. Going to have to do some modifications for a steering box, and I think I am going to use a racing/GM steering box as I don't think the stock datsun steering box will hold up well to 37" tires...

[Master-O-Turbonics]

Test fit the motor again to check clearance with the front axle.
(note the post-apocalyptic sized fuel can that just so happens to fit between the frame rails, heh)







Near full up travel, gonna try to clearance the frame rail to be able to have more up-travel for the steering center link.







clearance between the side of the motor/oil pan and the chunk(should be plenty, and plenty of room for the driveshaft)


Also got in the 2.5" Johnny joints

[Master-O-Turbonics]

MMM progress. :-)

PVC links and the Artec brackets.



using a buddy's 33x12.50R15" pro comp tires as mock-up for the 3 link setup.

[Jassan]

Nice job man! Welcome

[Master-O-Turbonics]

Nice job man! Welcome

Thanks!

I ordered a panhard bar kit from Ruff Stuff Specialties and some other stuff to finish up my 3 link suspension. Just need to pick up the 2" OD .25" wall DOM tubing for the links from my local steel marketplace.

[flinterman2000]

Man you make me look like I'm stuck in the mud. But I love the progress. Talk about inspiration, keep it coming. You D man.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

Picked up some light weight tubing for the front links ;-)




Just Kidding!! 37.5 pounds worth!

[Jassan]

If you were to do all of this for somebody else, what would your labor price be? Just a ballpark figure.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

A FULL ground up restoration + all the 4x4 suspension/design work?
You don't even want to know... Well in excess of...... well more than most people would think of paying LOL!
I'm over $1800 just for parts/stuff on my front axle swap.

Contact me if you have something in mind and maybe we could work something out.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

New~ish clutch. it was run for about 250 miles and was on the Z24 that was previously in the 81 4x4 truck, pressure plate still has the machining marks in it, so it should be good to go. Had to bend a finger straight since the previous owner bent it trying to get the transmission in.



Painted the motor, then started bolting it all back together. (Oil pan will get painted silver when the engine doesn't have to sit on it any more)

[Master-O-Turbonics]

TA DA!


No rust-through on the floors! SO Rare in any Datsun this old!



Cleaned out the engine bay a good bit




And the best part.....
Built this today.






1981 720 brake booster spacer(had to re-drill the holes for slightly different bolt pattern on the booster) and extender rod, series 1 240Z brake booster, S30 7/8" Z car brake master cylinder, 1981 210 master cylinder reservoir caps with low fluid level indicators. I think I am going to graft part of the 720 firewall onto the 521 firewall in order to make mounting this LONG pig easier.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

Test fitting the body on the frame... Its close but not a bolt-on deal...





Going to trim the wheel well straight forward from the top.



vs. my 04 frontier..

[Master-O-Turbonics]

Did some firewall work this morning... mounted the 720 steering shaft... solidly... and got the brake setup at least mocked up.



Need a new clutch master cylinder for a 521... I have a feeling this is going to be hard to find?? Maybe a regular Datsun one will work cause they are like $15 at Napa.



Did what I call a karate chop to the fenders. I think it looks pretty fricking cool, and at the same time it keeps the stock lines of the truck.
I made the cut, rolled the cut outward just like the stock little flare with the English Wheel, then bent a lip back under just like stock, but now it goes straight forward. Not perfect, but a skim coat of finishing bondo will help smooth out the small divots.
Going to cut away the lower turn signals and core support up to the bottom of the head light buckets for tire clearance...












UNDENIABLE:

[fastboatman29212]

Keep up the great work. We are watching with great interest. I'd come help for free just so I could learn stuff. Really cool!

[breadbox]

just saw your turbo max on ratsun, the motor looks so sick.

Also that last picture makes me grin.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

Made a little progress...
Got started on the panhard bar stuff, just waiting on the link tubing to come in.
Also positioned the engine so that I can build the engine mounts.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

just saw your turbo max on ratsun, the motor looks so sick.

Also that last picture makes me grin.

The turbo Maxima just blew up its 3rd Datsun 5 speed transmission... working on getting a 240sx trans to put in the datto bellhousing.

[breadbox]

Ha nice. Maybe you should start thinking Dogleg for the max.

This project it so awesome. I wish I had funds for turning my 720 in a GTR<--- It would haul and haul a** at the same time.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

The Maxima got a known good 280Z 5 speed with the short ratio 5th and is running well again...


and the truck rolled off the lift today:

[breadbox]

Sick! Can't wait for it to get built out a bit more. I smell a NICOclub feature article in your future.

[Davezilla]

Nice job on the truck!! can't wait to see it done!! really cool 260Z too... I've had a few Z's in my time too... love those cars

[Master-O-Turbonics]

Project hasn't really gotten anywhere recently... but here is a picture from today.


Have at least one day this weekend to work on the truck...

[dessertskipper]

Project hasn't really gotten anywhere recently..

Have at least one day this weekend to work on the truck...

Did I see that you ditched the original front axels?
You still have them, if you did?
Want to sell them?
Where are you?

A Landlubber in Northern Nevada Dessert.

[dessertskipper]

You can e-mail me direct if I set that feature here.
I just found this fourum.

Skip.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

I ditched the front axles only because they were no good any more.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

Got the Panhard bar in so...
First flex pics(sorry its blurry, I'm in an unlighted shop):




Tire is hitting the turn signal on the driver's side... time for more trimming. :-D

Just have to work out steering now...and work out some coilovers. :-D

Also filled the engine with Delo 400 15W-40 diesel oil and a high volume K&N oil filter.

Also picked up some Pennzoil Synchromesh (yellow metal safe) trans fluid for the 71B transmission.

[Master-O-Turbonics]

Here are some pics from today:

I cut up the 521 bed on the donor truck(all rusty on the bed bottom)


Mocking up the passenger side:




Driver's side:





Looks like I'm going to have to lengthen the stock wheel well openings... Still want to look somewhat original but I'm putting together a plan on how to go about opening them up and keep the look.

[love_my_gt]

man this is an awesome build. I can't wait to see it done.

Where did you manage to find a front clip with a diesel engine?