My 521 build

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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ok so yestertday i got my 71 521 to my house and started my build. Ok here is the plan I am going to build a fiberglass one piece flip up front end and install a Rb25det .I will be putting the radiator in the bed along with the battery. I am not sure what rearend to use, i have found a jaguar rearend and a a subaru impreza rearend and im not sure what to use all i know is i want independ rear suspension. Any suggestions? I am going to be selling off alot of the parts so watch the classfied thread for some parts. ok here is the truck before the dissaembaly.any suggestions on a front end setup let me know


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PEZi
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interesting plan! i kinda like it

good luck!

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nsrZ32
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Car: 90 300ZX TT, 78 280Z, 71 521 Pickup, 98 Sentra 2.0 SE, 02 Altima 3.5 SE, 01 Focus s2
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Sounds like its going to be a wild build! I'm anxious to see it come together.

Also, I might be interested in some of the parts you sell off

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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ok here is my first updatei started by pulling off all the lights, grill hood and discounecting the wireing harness. my plans are to make a on fronte peice fiberglass frontend, so i removed the fenders valence and bumper but i didnt know that the core support was spot welded to the truck. So instead of drilling out all the spot welds i cut it off with a sawzall. not what i wanted to do but i am trying to get stuff done fast. so now i have the front clip off and im starting all the bodywork so i can make a mold of it and get that part done. I have been doing alot of research about the independ rear suspension i want and im haveing a hard time decideing whats best. I am leaning towards a 280z rear suspension and disc break upgrade. ok here is some pics. and i will post the stuff im getting rid of in the classfied.should have most the body work done by this weekend and im going to try and get a mold make next week.

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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ok so i have allmost finished the bodywork on my front clip so i chould be able to pull a mold off in 2-3 days if it all goes right. I filled all the seems and holes so the front clip is smooth and i have figured out the way i am going to make it tilt up and it looks preety easy. Plus it will leave plenty of room for a nice sized front mount intercooler. I did run into a problem, there is alota rust in the front corner on the drivers side i will have to fill it all in and that might slow me down. Also i am going to be moveing the firewall back about three inches to give me the extra clearence i will need for that inline six. If anyone has a good picture of their front valence i would like to see it beacouse im not sure mine is just right. Any coments or suggestions are appriciated. thanks guys

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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i will post pics soon, but i am kind of wondering if anyone is actually reading this, to complete this i would like some input

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nsrZ32
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Car: 90 300ZX TT, 78 280Z, 71 521 Pickup, 98 Sentra 2.0 SE, 02 Altima 3.5 SE, 01 Focus s2
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You just need a picture of the lower front valence? If so I can snap some of mine once the snow clears

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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yeah if you can snap me a pic that would be great, i will post a pic of mine soon. I spent a few hours on it with a hammer and dolly and it looks pretty good but im not sure if it is right it was in pretty bad shape as you can see from my pics.

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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update So i was planning on being done by now but on the drivers side i ran into a problem a large part below the blinker is rotted out so i and going to have to reform it with fiberglass before i can make a mold, i snapped some pics and will try and post them soon. It looks like i might have a diffrent engine going in instead of the rb25det, i think i will be going with the rb30 block and rb25det head. thats one of the coolest engines i have read about on here, here is a link to a cool company that builds rb30's http://www.ripsltd.com/index2.html well i will get some good pics soon.

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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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Nice truck ambitious build. Please add pictures of the mold making process for your front end.

If you are interested in selling your stock 521 steering wheel & horn button please let me know I have a friend restoring a 71 521. Some better pictures of it & a price with shipping to 85353.

Thank you,Charlie69

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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I have some new pics now, i have starightend the metal out as best as i can the hood was pretty bad so i had to use alot of featherlight filler on it. I filled in the indentation in the stock hood so its smooth now its turning out pretty good i have put some primer on but i dont have any pics of that yet. So what i am going to do it pull a mold off of the front end and then make a new front end out of fiberglass, as i planned. But i havnt been able to get the hood right beacouse of the warpage and the metal being so thin and it has seperated from the under hood supports. So i am going to make a new frontend out of the mold i make and straighten that which should be much easier. i should be starting on the firewall soon im takeing it back a fewinches and making it smooth should look great.

[IMG]/https://forum-attachments.sfo2.digital ... g[IMG]this is the radiator i pilled out it held water but i never had it preasure tested i was hopeing to seel it with the shroud for 75 obo


Modified by 67 411 at 2:58 PM 3/1/2010

seang
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You seem serious about it and that is really, really cool. People have put RB's in Hardbody Trucks (aka D21's), so that might be a helpful reference depending on the dimensions of your engine bay.

My stock D21 engine bay is 30.5 inches from the firewall to the top of the core support and about 34 inches from wheelwell to wheelwell. RB swapped D21's have modified core supports and the radiators moved forward. Somehow an intercooler still fits in there, too. It would suck to get in any collision because the engine is right there.

Jaguar rear end sounds cool with the inboard brake discs, but I don't know which one would be better and more practical for you, the Jag, or the other ones you mentioned (280z or Impreza). I guess the one with the best balances of: fitment, geometry, unsprung weight, etc....

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nsrZ32
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Car: 90 300ZX TT, 78 280Z, 71 521 Pickup, 98 Sentra 2.0 SE, 02 Altima 3.5 SE, 01 Focus s2
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Great progress!

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 are you saying putting a rb into a 521 has been done?I havnt heard of it do you have a link to a site? i would like to see how someone else has done it.

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lino
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Looks like you're making rapid progress. Looking good

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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well guys i am still making progress on the front end It has taken alot more work than i had thought, but that seems to allways be the case. I am spraying some high build primer on over the next few days and i will post some pics soon. I also have postponed the irs setup and went ahead and bought a ford 8.8 rear end, just to try and save time. I also am looking into the front disc brake conversions and it looks pretty straight foward. also i dont like the fron valence so im trying to make a new one anyone have any ideas on a cool look?

seang
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Sorry, 67 411, I was talking about D21 pickups with the RB swap, and an S-10 is out there somewhere, too. I have never seen an RB in a 521.

There is a cool looking front valance on a Datsun b210 (IIRC it is a rare factory part) in the pics sticky of the Datsun cars section, It is a 9 page thread and I forgot which page, though, so you will have to look. First thing that came to my mind when you mentioned that.

Cephas
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:53 am
Car: 1971 Datsun 521 Pickup

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67 411,
Do you still have the radiator from your 521 available for sale?

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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So i havnt posted in along time on here the radiater is gone sorry cephas.
I have made progress and i havnt given up lol. i have completly stripped the interior and cleaned the floor up the rust on the floor and sealed everything with rustoleum, dont worry it wont stay that color. I have removed the bed and rear axle, and im getting ready to chop down the 97 ford explorer 8.8 rear end so it will match the trucks origonal 53" axle. I have my firewall fabbed up and am gettting that all ready also. I have a old caddy steering column that im going to use its pretty cool it has tilt and it telescopes. so here is a bunch of pics.
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getting the extra crap i wont need off the frame and cleaning it up
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the caddy steering column
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i love pics
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guide coat on door before blocking it out
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floor cleaned up
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primed
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found this under the seat
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old firewall
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stripped interior
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new firewall
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painted floor
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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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if you guys have any opinions let me know

302 datto
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Hi If you are after a diff that bolts straight in ford stud pattern chrysler centura is the correct width and can handle huge horse power i have one in my 520 with a v8 in front of it its also very light
if you are after a good front end mitsubishi L200 cut down approx 250mm has a ford disc brake stud pattern the latter version has 11'' discs and a rack also has to be shortened

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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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That is quite a large set back on the new firewall. How much setback is it? You track has come a long ways keep up the good work. I am anxious to see what else you have planned for this truck.

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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Charlie69 wrote:That is quite a large set back on the new firewall. How much setback is it? You track has come a long ways keep up the good work. I am anxious to see what else you have planned for this truck.
charlie i think the set back was 4 inches, it is neccasery so the engine will fit though. hopefully i will be getting my own welder tomarrow so i can start putting it in. thanks for the encouragement the biggest thing im considering at the moment is buying a rb30 bottom end from australia :naughty: . Hopefully i can earn some extra cash with the tig im gonna buy to get the parts i need and my new engine.

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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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A RB30 from Australia would be hot. Where are you located?

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It looks like it might be possible to mod the Datsun original hor button to this wheel.

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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im south east of portland about 35is miles. the horn button might look cool on there ill give it a shot thanks. And yeah i love the rb30 ideawe will see if it works out, if not i can get a rb25det realy easy.

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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o yeah i cut the frame off close to the back of the cab yesterday now i have to build a new rear frame section :ohno:

L16B521
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Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2010 9:29 am
Car: 1970 Datsun PL521, all original, 68,000 original miles as of initial ownership. Bought from original owner. No rust. :D

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Hell yeah man that's about the same condition as mine on the exterior. Since mine has a real straight body, I'm going to sand/prime it, then hit it in a paint booth with Infiniti G35 silver. If it wasn't so damn sun-faded, I'd be quick to rubbing compound the original paint. Good luck with your Datto!

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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Ok I havnt been able to work on the truck for over a month but i will be right back on it sfter christmas. One thing im gonna do tonight after i get the measurements from AZhitman is check and see where the shifter and everything will line up for the rb swap. Again thanks to AZhitman i couldnt fine the measurments of the rb25det anywhere he saved me. The only down side is if its way off i will end up changeing my engine plans. :facepalm: But on the brite side a vq35de wouldnt be bad in a 521 :dblthumb: . Also the cab is off now.
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i blocked the doors out more
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found more rust
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RB521
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Car: 71 Datsun PL521
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Hey if you plan on doing an RB in your truck, be prepared for a lot of work. You can check out mine here http://www.cardomain.com/ride/706389/1971-datsun-521 We pushed the firewall back 4 inches, which was the hardest part. Also if you plan on using the stock turbo manifold then you'll run into problems because the turbo will try to exist in the same space as the steering shaft. also because the engine is longer, mounted farther back, and has a longer tranny, that means the shifter will sit right next to your hip. You can make this not much of an issue by heating and bending forward the shifter so it shifts more up and down than front to back. It's actually quite fun to slam gears that way, btw. Hope this helps and good luck on your build! i love the truck!

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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man rb521 you have a nice truck i would love to see some more pics of it, if you dont have your own thread you can post them here. I have to be honest though i am sad that somone else had done it first. Anyways You did a great job on your truck i hope you are able post some pics, also that was you on pass time right? I posted the link to you vs the mustang on my other build thread on ratsun. I am making some progress on the suspension and i am re doing the dash for my new guages and repairing the cracks. pics coming hopefully soon.


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