Charlie 69's 1966 520

1965-1971 Datsun 521 forums. All 520 and 521 topics and discussion can be found here.
67 411
Posts: 199
Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:52 am
Car: 1967 datsun 411 sss wagon 1975 datsun 620 king cab 4x4 and a 1971 521

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hey looking good man, did you put the led's in the 521 cluster?


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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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No not at this time. Maybe at a later date. But I did order a pair of these,

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Hella 7" Round Headlamp Conversion with HB2 55w / 60w Bulb HE-70477BRetail price: $63.97 classicgarage.com

should be here tomorrow

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RB521
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:02 pm
Car: 71 Datsun PL521
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contact:

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Hey man I really love your truck, and I cannot WAIT for it to be complete. You are a meticulous builder, and are quite obviously worthy of owning it . It makes me so happy to see other Datto pickup guys in Arizona! ...p.s...we should have a meet this summer!!

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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Thank you RB521for the praise & encouragement. I am plugging away and learning a lot as I go. Next time will be even cleaner.

Check your PMs.

67 411
Posts: 199
Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:52 am
Car: 1967 datsun 411 sss wagon 1975 datsun 620 king cab 4x4 and a 1971 521

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Looks good man keep the updates coming you are keeping me motivated!

bisquick246
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:08 pm
Car: 1967 Datsun 411 WRL411 SSS

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Charlie69, Is there a way to send you a direct message? I was looking on your profile page but couldnt find one. AZhitman told me I should get with you because you may have a wiper motor for a 66 WRL411 SSS. Can you let me know please?

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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Check your PM

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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I am looking for the purple with a black stripe wire!

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Not yet

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Maybe over here

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THERE IS NO "FREAKIN" PURPLE WIRE WITH A BLACK STRIPE!!!!! :mad:

Well tomorrow in the daylight I will search the wiring on the patio.

Any way here is what I did to get an automatic power brake pedal in my 520 using the back part of the 620 pedal assembly bracket, the front part of the 520 pedal assembly bracket, a 620 power booster spacer, a 310 power booster, & a 280ZX master cylinder, oh almost forgot Mike Klotz's Master Piece Rod Extension (no guys it is a brake push rod extension). :chuckle:

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Tomorrow more wiring. :argh

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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Here is part of the reason it is taking so long to do my wiring. I am drawing a color keyed diagram as I go noting all the changes I am making to a stock 1980 Datsun 720 KC L20B Automatic 2WD wiring harness that had all the motor related wiring hacked out of it.

I had to mod the headlight circuit four 2 headlights instead of 4, add hi & low beam relays for the Hella HB2 headlight conversion (not necessary but did it for safety reason), add in the fuel pump circuit from a 1984 Datsun 720 KC wiring harness, Remove all uneeded wires, tailor fit to my 520 truck (relocating all the connections, shorten lengthen)as needed, replace all damaged wire (30+ year old harness), and the insrument cluster wiring mod for the 66 instrument cluster. Also add in the 1985 Datsun 720 ST 4x4 power window & door locks. I am using all Datsun/Nissan parts.

Here is a picture of the wiring harness that I am working on as I do the wiring. This is about 44" long x 33" high & took 25 pieces of 8.5" x 11" paper to print. After I finish it and all wiring is tested I will have a copy center print in color on poster sized paper then have them laminate it.

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AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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HOLY crap.

Y'know, a lot of people might underestimate my man Charlie - He's freakin' smart. Wiring is my least-favorite task.

Now I know who to call next time I have some extra cash and a pile of tangled wires! ;)

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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Never did find the purple with black stripe wire. It turned out the power window/door lock wiring plug is purple & black. I am not sure how many times I had this plug in my hand looking for the purple & black wire, Boy do I feel like a dumb a** now. LOL

Check out what came in the mail today.

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NOS Datsun/Nissan won it on ebay. I hope that whoever I was bidding against will still talk to me. I liked ebay better when you saw the other bidders screen name. Now I will have a good speedo & an almost zeroed odometer.

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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The painter came over today and gave me a price & I gave him a time frame.

I am going to Elco Nevada next Wednesday to interview for a job. If I get it I will stay in Nevada working for at least a month.

The painter will have my cab & my bed with all the other parts while I am gone. I need to restock my bank account & get both feet back under me from being unemployed.

When I come back for a few days off hopefully around June 1st, it will be to gather up my truck and some comfort items and I will tow it back to Nevada where I will finish it. I am hoping to have this truck completed interior and all by the end of the summer.

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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Here are my Hella H4's waiting to be installed in my 520. Bolt & plug in easy upgrade. Running DOT legal HB2 55w / 60w Bulbs. These bulbs only draw 5 amps continuous & 10 amps at start up, so the stock wiring is adequate. I do recommend adding head light relays though to take the load off of the headlight switch. I also re-configured the placement of the wires at the headlight plug to match the 1980 720 wiring harness.

I also drilled the holes out in the buckets for rubber grommets and installed new asphalt impregnated woven loom over the wires to help protect them.. I plan on rebuilding the front parking lamps & tail lights also.

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I also picked up the rest of the paint supplies today Total for paint supplies was $385

Paint supplies included

1gallon High build primer
1 quart High build primer hardenener
1 gallon acrilic enamal single stage paint custom mixed color
1 pint acrilic enamal single stage paint metalic silver
1 pint acrilic enamal single stage paint metalic black
1 quart acrylic enamal hardener
1 gallon high temp fast reducer
1 gallon gun clean up solvent

The paint is a dark metalic burgundy and the truck will be 2 toned and will have some stipping on it. The silver & black metalic are for stripping & to lighten & or darken the paint.

LaughingBull
Posts: 526
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:03 am
Car: 97 240sx
72 521
77 620
74 cb550
76 cb550
Location: Lawrence, KS

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Nice score on the speedo. 30k more miles and I'll be back at zero! I really need to do a headlight conversion, can't see much at night. I did it once on an old honda cb, wow what an improvement. I didn't see any clear coat listed, gonna skip? Thats not bad pricewise, what brand paint did you go with?

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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The speedo is not a 520 or 521. It will not fit the housing. Possible 411 or 510 Speedo.

It is single stage Omni Acrylic Enamal. This will be a dailey driver and the sun in AZ eats up clear coats.

I got the Hella's from Classic Garage The Hella's are Glass lenses unlike rhe cheaper Ebay plastic lenses

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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Removed cab today & shipped to painter.

A huge thanks to Tom Dat620 & Gene Kinight for all they did today. Great to have friends!

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More pictures & info later.

Happy Easter

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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While I am in Nevada working my 520 is having the body caressed and glossed by my painter in Phoenix. I hope to have pictures soon.

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AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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Charlie!

Do you have a cell phone up there? I was gonna call you and check up on you, and realized I don't have a # for you.

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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Here are some pictures of the panel beater's progress. My Australian friend Greiggy's name for body & paint person.

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Arizona rust.
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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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Kevin the body man & painter is an old school custom car builder. He is working on the doors, setting them up for power windows & door locks and removing wing windows for 1 piece solid door glass. It will be a slow process as he has a full time job doing body & paint.

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roseyroseyrose
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:41 am
Car: 1971 Datsun PL521 pickup truck
Location: Tucson, AZ

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very cool truck! i just purchased a 1971 pl 521 and im having no end of difficulties finding parts for it. any suggestions for a fellow arizonan?

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gmac708
Posts: 1913
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:59 pm
Car: :o)
1970 240Z
1972 510

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Nice work Charlie! :dblthumb:
I think you are doing an awesome job. I need to keep an eye on this.
subscribed!

Gord

DatsoonRandy
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:18 am
Car: 1966 Datsun 520 truck
Location: Langley B.C.

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Wow! If only. Just looking at your work and am super impressed. Good on you. Just starting after 25 years in the garage. My 66 520 rebuild. Best to you
DatsoonRandy

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waynosworld
Posts: 232
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2015 11:10 pm

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He has not posted to this thread in years, but has done a lot of work on the truck.

DatsoonRandy
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:18 am
Car: 1966 Datsun 520 truck
Location: Langley B.C.

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Hey Charlie
You still out there with your 520?
DatsoonRaandy

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AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

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I'll rattle his cage and get him to do a few updates.

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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Wayno is correct I have done some work on the 520. And AZhitman rattle my cage!

I have knee replacement surgery on my left knee on March 1st so I promice during the down time I will do a major update to this thread. I have been slacking.

Here is a teaser.
1966 520 instrument panel with the NOS OEM speedo and the 411 black & chrome face plastic.
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5" shortened 620 automatic shifter.

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Belltech 2" lowered spindles on a 1980 720 chassis.
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Stock 1978 620 wheel on the 80 720 chassis with the Belltech 2" drop spindles and 85 720 vented rotors and calipers.

My brother Garret painting the 1980 720 chassis for my 1966 520.

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I also installed 720 4x4 springs on the 1980 720 2wd chassis.

4x4 springs after painting.
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DatsoonRandy
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:18 am
Car: 1966 Datsun 520 truck
Location: Langley B.C.

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Hey Charlie
Glad Wayno pulled you out of hibernation. I dream my 520 will compare to your girl. My girl has some issues that I am addressing one at a time. Floors gone, cab mounts same. Rear frame rusted out. Frames been blasted and repaired and painted. Box is pretty good. Cab comes in soon, now that i have shuffled the garage around. Great that you have put these pictures up. I try not to think past whats in front of me, getting her back on the road and going, maybe to shows is a bucket list item. Hopefully, down the road, I can pick maybe your brain. Hope your knee surgery goes good. Regards
Datsoon

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Charlie69
Posts: 256
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:01 pm
Car: 1966 Datsun 520
Location: Tolleson AZ

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I fell a week ago and broke my right femur so no left knee surgery yet. I am currently in a nursing home and do not know how long I will be here

DatsoonRandy
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2017 10:18 am
Car: 1966 Datsun 520 truck
Location: Langley B.C.

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Wow. Broken Femur. Wishing a speedy recovery to you.


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