Hello, new guy here, Just picked up a '80 720

[DatSunMN]

Hello all, Just picked up this "project" for $350.

1980 Datsun 720 Standard Cab, Automatic.
L20b
Weber 32/36.
122,000 miles.

Instead of clogging your internetz with large images, I'll just link to my photobucket!
http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g476/dattysun/

Anyhow, I really want to get a tachometer in this thing, but preferably not a superduper huge ricer a-pillar tach. I WANT IT IN THE DASH CLUSTER!

Just curious if anyone on here has built any custom gauge clusters or anything of the sort. pics if so! I need ideas!

thanks
-Josh

[fastboatman29212]

Welcome! Nice low mileage! Looks like some Isuzu rims maybe? What other plans besides a tach?

[DatSunMN]

Welcome! Nice low mileage! Looks like some Isuzu rims maybe? What other plans besides a tach?

Yup, those are OEM '87 Trooper 15" rims. Pretty clean and will look nice with some low-pro tires. I was thinking 185s.

Other plans, a few of which I've already executed include....

3" drop all around. Drop is done, I want to get some aftermarket shocks and attempt to improve the ride a bit.

new 2" exhaust from the downpipe back. (using a oem isuzu muffler for a '88 pup. I want something a bit throatier though, no clue what I should go with, suggestions?) DONE.

All new interior and buckets, Got some fairly decent buckets in it for right now with some cheapo covers, works for now. Still might buy new seats alltogether.

Looking for a 5spd to link up with this thing, Automatic is nice, but standards are so much more entertaining.

Maybe even thinking about a engine swap, buddy has a fully built KA24DEt from a 240sx he might sell me fairly cheaply. 200 miles on the engine after his build. (Its a track car)

Im open to suggestions aswell, I know at some point I may just end up getting carried away from this thing, But I want this thing to shine and show the fact that I've put alot of hours, sweat, and blood into it.

I'll be uploading some new photos to that album when I get a chance, I think the latest ones on there are a week old.

Thanks.
-Josh

[Rev_D21]

Looking good!

[JoeCool6972]

Nice looking truck. I too just bought an 80 earlier this month. For more ideas see my post here: what-i-did-today-on-my-1980-720-lots-of ... 37563.html
and look around the rest of the forum. Welcome aboard.

[DatSunMN]

Nice looking truck. I too just bought an 80 earlier this month. For more ideas see my post here: what-i-did-today-on-my-1980-720-lots-of ... 37563.html
and look around the rest of the forum. Welcome aboard.

Thanks, Yours looks great, looks like you had a lot less rust to deal with.

Im sure some of my methods of fixing this rust would be pretty frowned upon in a respectable body shop, but oh well. I think it'll last quite awhile. I've been basically just cutting out all of the rust in the really bad areas on the box, slap a chunk of sheet metal on the inside of the box over the holes, tac weld, and a nice layer of bondo on the outside to bring everything flush again. Some of the holes on the cab that I can't really get anything behind them, I've been doing the same procedure (cut rust out and such) but I've been stuffing the holes with foam then bondoing over that, seems to work pretty well and I don't see it ever going anywhere.

[synack7350]

yeah I was wondering about rust in my doors. down at the bottom are pretty shot. I guess the preferred method would be to cut out and weld... seems like a lot of work though as the bottoms are pretty much all rot. any recs would be appreciated not so sold on the foam idea a little rattle would drop the bondo. you really need something solid for it to grab.

[synack7350]

Anyhow, I really want to get a tachometer in this thing, but preferably not a superduper huge ricer a-pillar tach. I WANT IT IN THE DASH CLUSTER!

Just curious if anyone on here has built any custom gauge clusters or anything of the sort. pics if so! I need ideas!

I spent many a year doing industrial electricity / instrumentation. I'm solid on custom gauge panels. what you really need to do them right is a knockout die set. you drill the center hole then rig the die and tighten the draw bolt to cut the holes. I think aluminum would look smashing. Very fighter pilot ish. I wanted to do it but costs are prohibitive for custom gauges. for nice ones expect to pay in the 300's range. but you can get some nice digi's with senders for that price on ebay...

[N-Dually]

Nice truck. If you get your tach mounted in the dash, post a pic that would be cool!

[DatSunMN]

Hello, been awhile since I've given you guys any update, Haven't gotten alot done lately either. Fixed a little more of the rust, Also have been working on fixing the tailgate (the right way). I've skinned the thing and waiting for my buddy to bring his mig machine over so I can put new sheet metal on the thing.

Check teh photobucket for new photos!

[PEZi]

Awesome man!

[DatSunMN]

Thats how she turned out, pretty good imo.

[synack7350]

yeah not bad. where did you relocate the tail gate handle? or are you doing an automagic tail gate unlatcher thingymabob.

[DatSunMN]

yeah not bad. where did you relocate the tail gate handle? or are you doing an automagic tail gate unlatcher thingymabob.

Relocating it inside. I want to keep a little bit of functionality. otherwise it'd be a seamless rear end Zero gaps welded shut.

[2 timer]

On the inside huh... Thats a great idea!

[synack7350]

yeah that's better than my shaved handle idea but I think I'm going to stick with a shaved handle don't plan on refabbing the tail gate.

[DatSunMN]

Roll pan!

[2 timer]

Looks good buddy. Now all you need is a bumper!

[synack7350]

nah I see where he's going a custom roll pan is next with an off centered license plate.

[DatSunMN]

nah I see where he's going a custom roll pan is next with an off centered license plate.

next? Its already on there o.o Anyway, the license plate will probably go dead center with a boxed inlay, not sure if im going to buy one or just fab it, probably fab it.

On a side note, I'm starting to notice some coolant down the side of the block intake side, I'm hoping I just need new intake gaskets, not looking forward to buying head gaskets if thats the case. Any ideas?

[synack7350]

I've heard the head gasket usually fails between 2 and 3. check compression. or check the oil to see if it has coolant in it? Oh if you got the stuff I'd just fab the roll pan looks like you did a swell job on the tail gate.

[DatSunMN]

Temp 1 dollar paint to hold off the rust for now, I think it looks great.

[DatSunMN]

Need some advice on getting my camber back, I've already ate 4 tires on the front end, I think I heard somewhere that there is factory spacers on these things that I can take out to get mostly all of my camber back, and then I heard you have to put spacers IN to get the camber back, confused. Any advice?

[synack7350]

how far did you drop it? I dropped mine 2 inches and was able to get everything sorted via a regular old alignment with plenty of play left in the tie rod's etc. I could have prolly gone 3 if I had the clearance.

[DatSunMN]

how far did you drop it? I dropped mine 2 inches and was able to get everything sorted via a regular old alignment with plenty of play left in the tie rod's etc. I could have prolly gone 3 if I had the clearance.

Bout a 3.5" drop.

[synack7350]

oh pssh drop spindles?

[DatSunMN]

oh pssh drop spindles?

I wish I could afford spindles. But this is an epic budget build, if I had super amounts of cash this thing would be bagged and not on torsion bars/drop blocks lololol.

[synack7350]

yeah that's why you're def shredding tires. prolly have to shim like crazy to get your camber back. You are prolly pigeon toed to. I dunno why the go pigeon toe when you let out the torsions but they do. ='s shredded tires hella hella fast.

[DatSunMN]

Couple pictures from my progress lately, Truck is looking pretty naked, Doors about to come off for some final body work too.




Contemplating rigging up this "intake" for s*** and giggles, mostly looks, and who knows, It may breathe a little better.

[synack7350]

heh if you're gonna rig up that intake you should figure out a way to put a turbo on it