87 HB complete rebuild

[majdi]

1987 2.4 z24i 5-speed 4x4

so i plan on just completely rebuilding this truck.... i haven't seen many rebuilds for the hardbody.

my plan is to buy another car while this truck is being rebuilt..... i'm only 18 i wont start school till september so i have time. i'm starting the rebuild when the weather is worm

1. ripp the engine out2. take the cab off 3. take the bed off4. trannyy out 5. axles6. fuel lines and all that other shiit basicly leave the frame rail. 7. sand blast the frame8. weld anything that needs to be welded on the frame9. powder coat the frame. 10. resurface the axle, trany, transfercase, 11. rebuild the engine ..... ( valves, cylinders, resurface the block, get it all cleaned up ) 12. work on the cap now, the driver side and the passenger side floor exactly where you put your feet, cut that out weld new medal in there and primer that 13. the bed needs some work, have rust holes in the bottom corners. 14. build a custom front and rear bumpers.

i have a lot of exprerence working on cars, i've changed a clutch on this truck with the help of a buddy,

changed the alternator, water pump, fuel filter, exhaust manifold

i worked a lot of acura integras also,

i also have experience with bodywork,

my welding experience is almost zero, i have tried it once or twise before.

i wanan plan everything take pictures of everything i do, label everything i take off, clean every single thing i take off... possiably paint it.... i have michel on demand. and also i'm going to use Genuine Nissan Parts, NISMO and Nissan Accessories - Courtesyparts.com they have very detailed diagrams . i'm going to get the haynes manual also

i have a 160 mastercraft tool set... veriouse renches screw drivers, sockets a jack ...

i'm gona get a hold of a cherry picker ... a sand blaster and a compressor

what are your thoughts on this ... do you guys think its 2 big of a job for me ? or should i go ahead with it starting when the weather gets worm in ontario

also how much money do u think i'm going to spend on this ? i'm good with online shopping ... researching etc.

thanks

[breadbox]

No way is this to big a job for you and a couple of friends(heavy lifting).

I am working on doing the same as you. I got a 20gal sandblasting bucket, tiny portable air comp, motor hoist and transmission jack off craigslist cheap.

Just make sure you have a great mask when mediablasting and to use good media, not play sand.

[Desert Rat]

all very doable if you don't encounter a lot of frame rust.

[RT]

manual it is crap. spend a few bucks and get a nissan official service manual. it will have a thousand things haynes does not. I had one for my old Z and it was worth the money in one month and I did not tear car down. For a job this size manual will be a great investment.

[majdi]

yea thats what i was thinking.. the cab and the bed are heavy... do u think the cherry picker can lift them up ?.. i could get some friends.. but if its easier with the cherry picker why not

[majdi]

i plan on documenting all of the build... just because when i look at a build i read what they did but i'm dieing to see the pictures..... as far as welding i'm going to go with meg like you said i did some reasearch ... im going to start practicing, i will start with removing the insurance off the truck and renting a space in a barn near my house because i dont want to do it at my house not enough space.

i will also try to take videos

if you guys know about any special tools i might need taring this beast down ?anything that might give me trouble ? i know the steering box might

[majdi]

also i dont think i will be powder coating the frame... whats better or just as good... but wont bankrupt me ?

[Desert Rat]

Check the inside of the frame particularly in the rear spring mount areas for rust. WD21 Pathfinders are notorious for frame rot in this area, and the HB frame is very similar. If it's rusting from the inside out, you'll want to address that, as all the great finish in the world on the outside of the rails will do no good.

[breadbox]

the cab and the bed are heavy... do u think the cherry picker can lift them up ?.. i could get some friends.. but if its easier with the cherry picker why not

Most people just find a tree or something that can support the weight of the cab and that the truck can drive under. Hoist Cab/bed higher then frame push/tow the rest away. Engine hoists don't generally have long enough arms to support that much bulk. Or unbolt bed and have a few people on either side and walk it off. Have a friend help you when ever working under a car(you never know when stuff will fall).

Take lots of pictures. Helps, when you are putting it back. Don't stock pile tools if you don't need to. Just take it a job at a time. I would get a dry erase board to write notes, lists, draw diagrams,etc.

I am bout to get started on my 240sx when it is a steady warm. Gl mang.

[Desert Rat]

2 guys can lift off the bed. The Cab is a different story.

[majdi]

yeaa ill probly just get some friends to help with the cab and bed... i was talking to a guy that used to build toyotas and nissans... he told me if i can find a southern box or cab.. that would save me some time.. just because they don't seem to have rust on them .....

what do u guys think ?

[breadbox]

It might be your only option, unless you get lucky. Your picture makes your bed look a million times better than mine. Is the rust horrible? Get some pics up.

[Rev_D21]

Guess you gave up on it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...rucks

[breadbox]

Awww.

Oh well.

[steveOd21]

yeah i knew this kid wasnt gonna do anything his daddy prolly bought him a new ford hahaha watch him try and post pics of his brand new P.o.s

[majdi]

first of all ... i bought my first car at 14 .. all with my own money... my dad got laied off 4 months ago and i would never ask him to buy me anything..... but thats beside the point .. i put it up on ebay cus i wanted to see how much it would go for ... my reserve was 2800....and i know it would never sell for that.... what i did actuly i just tuned up the engine fixed the idle problem and now i'm waiting for the weather to warm up to start taking **** apart

[cleidus88]

It's warm got any pics

[breadbox]

nice, you still have it.

[kftzpatrick]

I am basically doing the same thing with my truck. I have to remove the bed and the cab.

The only question I have is concerning the wiring harness and the brake lines. Should I remove the brake lines from the master cylinder, or should I just unhook the lines from the firewall of the truck? The wiring harness (I'm sure is going to be a chore), looks as though I may be able to unhook from all the components and pull through the firewall. Am I correct with this assumption?

My truck is a 1989 Nissan D21 Hardbody, 4X4, 2.4 Litre, Manual transmission. The only reason I'm replacing all of the body is because I rolled it twice ... amazing too, the drivetrain works perfect still.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin

[Desert Rat]

I'd do both honestly with the brakelines. That way they've got enough wiggle room and you reduce the possibility of catching them on something and destroying them. It's probably time for a full fluid change anyways.

How are you lifting the cab off? Got a cherry picker or something?

[zvetteboy]

I have to say good luck I have alrighty ripped the cab off mine and now I need trans or rebuild mine guess I will start next weekend