Just picked up my first Datsun!

[Nathyne]

Yup picked up this little 720 yesterday it is my second nissan/datsun also have my GTR Alice

it has 235000 kms burns oil and hates idling when it's cold. has a Z22 and a 4 speed manual
Also seems way underpowered (i know it is by no means a rocket but this thing makes my friends 115hp jetta look like a rocket!)

So first thing is first I have some big plans for this truck I want to make it to tackle some mild trails be a winter beater and tow a teardrop trailer when I go camping.

as far as mechanical work here is what I a planning so far:

Rebuild engine (will be the first engine i rebuild O_O)
change all fluids of course
some minor power mods like headers, exhaust, weber carb, possibly a cam while i have it apart

Inspect all suspension parts/bushings most likely will replace most of them
Install a winch
Body work galore! want to fix the cab and fenders might leave the poor box to rust to death for now.
install a slight suspension lift and 1"ish body lift (dislike high body lifts)
Do something about the rear bumper (most likely just remove the thing it looks awful in my opinions)

Here is a picture of the truck (need to name it at some point!)


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if anyone has suggestions feel free to throw in your two cents as to what you think I should do to the truck

[breadbox]

Looks good. You might like it if it ran better, but the z22 isn't gonna be a Monster without boost. No replace for displacement, unless you have boost. My friend Will keeps trying to convince me to slap my kae t3 mani on my z24 and re jet my weber and build a box for the intake.

[Nathyne]

Ya not looking for tons of power but I do need to go 130km/h through the mountains with a 1500lb trailer. Not sure if I can accomplish that with a z22. Ordered my first parts! a weber carb package. Will start sorting out some interior parts tomorrow anyone know where to get new replacements? or should I just scour ebay and wait for some?

[Rev_D21]

Sharp Datsun! Congrats and welcome to NICO!

[MetalFab]

I tried pulling a trailer with the z24 with a 1200lb volkswagen in the back of a 500ish lb pickup trailer.. I could do 55mph downhill... couldn't even maintain it on a flat. I'm currently doing a solid axle swap and probably putting a sbc in it.. I enjoy the truck now for running light trails but she's a dog on the highway. The 2wd guys seem to have more fun with the z24 but it just doesn't have the umpha to push 31" tires and the 4wd drivetrain (manual locking hubs would free up a lot of drag)

Your truck looks like a beast though, I'm going to have to put together a datsun with a bed. Appeals to me way more than the mid 80's style beds.

[Nathyne]

hmm sounds like a trailer may be out of the question without a turbo not that I would be opposed to that but I will stick with NA for now have enough problems with my twin turbo car want to keep this thing reliable.

Did a few things to it today ripped out the exhaust changed the diff oil and engine oil along with rip apart my old carb (more for fun than anything else have only worked on fuel injected vehicles so far)

My diff drain plug seemed to have a lot of metal fragments on it here is a picture is this more than normal?
they were all very thin but this is more than my 92 dakota had when I changed its diff oil.


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also get a load of this found a random piece of wood as a spacer for the box


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old exhaust didn't look too much at it but it took the ghetto sound to a new level i might replace it with a cherry bomb or something. Anyone know headers that work with the 4x4 i saw there are some fitment issues with the pacemaker ones? Also my truck squeals like a bastard sometimes after you engage the clutch not too sure what could cause this input bearing maybe? only happens sometimes


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And here is a very dirty engine I did clean it a bit i'll post an updated picture once I get the weber and install it.


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[Nathyne]

Also does anyone know where to get a sunroof seal? mine was siliconed shut and I would like it to be funcional without leaking. Also can't seem to find patch panels anywhere am I going to be stuck making these? need to do a fair amount of metal work on this truck lol

[breadbox]

You could see if 240sx's have the same size sunroof and get a gasket/weatherstripping. but its like $70 new.

[Nathyne]

70$ is better than a leaky sunroof. I'll look into it thanks. Anyone have opinions about the metal shavings on my drain plug?