N-Dually Build Thread, Nissan 720 Dually

1980-1986 Datsun 720 forums. All 720-specific topics and discussion can be found here.
User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

Reverend D21 wrote:Yeh really, it's all backwards.
LOL, yeah, it was upside down. Or did I ??? :chuckle:


User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

This weekend I adjusted the valves and painted the valve cover. There is no more ticking from the engine and it seems to run smoother also. :mike I simply used some Rust-oleum enamel paint on the valve cover. I also fingered the timing chain and it seemed nice and tight.

Image

2 timer
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:36 pm
Car: 1984 nissan 720

Post

Valve cover looks good man. Crazy what a rattle can can do for you!

2 timer
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:36 pm
Car: 1984 nissan 720

Post

May I ask where you put the green wire running from the carb into the wire harness at?

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

2 timer wrote:May I ask where you put the green wire running from the carb into the wire harness at?
Funny you should ask. It was a pain to find where it goes! My truck was missing part of the harness. Hence me posting the following:

720-6-wire-carb-electrical-harness-t539378.html it can be found in the DIY section.

It goes from the auto-choke to the RY wire for the old anti-dieseling valve.

2 timer
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:36 pm
Car: 1984 nissan 720

Post

Mine is made up of two wires a blue one and a blue/white one thats it. Nothing like the harness you showed me. Any info on that
Image

synack7350
Posts: 364
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:08 pm
Car: nissan '83 720 king cab pickup 2wd 2.4L Z24
Location: Boaz, AL

Post

thats the one I have. the blue without the white stripe should be for your auto choke

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

Today I added a tachometer and muffler. I modified the existing cluster by mounting the tach in it. I didn't want it looking cheesy by having it mounted on the side some where. I think this method makes it look nice and clean.

I also added a Thrush Glass Pack muffler. WOW! :badger it ever make a difference! It actually sounds like a truck now. Nice deep rumble. I am very happy with it.

Image
Image

Here is the link for those who would like to see more pictures of the tach mod process. http://hhocountry.com/2011/08/24/nissan ... 8-24-2011/
Last edited by N-Dually on Wed Aug 24, 2011 7:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

Diggin' this thread! Sound clip of said exhaust?

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

:) I will have to work on that. I am very happy with it. The old one had holes where some one TRIED to weld it. Muffler shop wanted $20.00 minimum. I got the new muffler and brackets for only $29.00 at Autozone.

User avatar
MetalFab
Posts: 226
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:02 pm
Car: 1985 720 4x4 reg cab flatbed.
Location: Northern California
Contact:

Post

It's sad to see that bed go away, yet I'm looking forward to seeing what you build for it.

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

This weekend I replaced all ball joints and front shocks. I also replaced 4 wheel studs, the shocks, and repacked the wheel bearings.

Image

User avatar
fastboatman29212
Posts: 493
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 6:45 pm
Car: left this forum. Sold my truck.
Location: South Carolina

Post

Good job! I should replce my shocks soon too. However, I'm thinking I will get the A/C repaired first.

synack7350
Posts: 364
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:08 pm
Car: nissan '83 720 king cab pickup 2wd 2.4L Z24
Location: Boaz, AL

Post

busy man looks like you could use some new rubber on your sway bar end links too.

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

@ FBM, Thank you. Your write up on ball joint removal help a lot!

@ synack7350, Yes! I will be replacing them. For now I just greased what I could.

I can now start to see the light at the end of the tunnel with the mechanical repairs. I can't wait to paint it! I am going to try the famous "$50 Rust-oleum" paint job. The guy in these two links is awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qPJTTRWttQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRV3CSeQ ... er&list=UL

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

Here is a video of my painting progress, or lack of... Wish me luck!

It should work now... YouTube didn't like the music... :rolleyes:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g8NyCkpRTY[/youtube]
Last edited by N-Dually on Mon Sep 05, 2011 5:21 pm, edited 3 times in total.

User avatar
fastboatman29212
Posts: 493
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 6:45 pm
Car: left this forum. Sold my truck.
Location: South Carolina

Post

Video doesn't work. Says it's blocked. :gotme

synack7350
Posts: 364
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:08 pm
Car: nissan '83 720 king cab pickup 2wd 2.4L Z24
Location: Boaz, AL

Post

lol we all have new ball joints thanks to FBM hehe :D

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

Here is another video. Coats 3 and 4. Looks like it is going to take about 5 to 6 coats. I am not a painter or auto body guy, so it is trial by fire on this. The nice thing is I can just sand and repaint. ;) I hope to graduate from 400 grit to 800 grit by next week.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbwm5qH_D-s[/youtube]

User avatar
fastboatman29212
Posts: 493
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 6:45 pm
Car: left this forum. Sold my truck.
Location: South Carolina

Post

Hard to tell from the video if you are getting the result you want. What color is that?

Oh yeah! Tell us the secret on how to get off the plastic cab vents that are just behind the doors WITHOUT breaking them! LOL!

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

Well... I am getting closer to the results. :) My goal is to have it look like factory at least. I will shoot for a glass look. It IS possible. The color is gloss white. I have to use my phone for the video and it has been very gloomy here. I will not bore you all with another video until I have it about wrapped up. Maybe before final coat and sanding.

The vents, you tell me. I got one side off intact, I broke one tab on the drivers side.

User avatar
fastboatman29212
Posts: 493
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 6:45 pm
Car: left this forum. Sold my truck.
Location: South Carolina

Post

Soooooooo . . . . . . . . How DID you get the vents off? Pry them off? Set them on fire? Any info is helpful. :dblthumb:

synack7350
Posts: 364
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 3:08 pm
Car: nissan '83 720 king cab pickup 2wd 2.4L Z24
Location: Boaz, AL

Post

never ever work on a vehicle unless you have a saws all and a big hammer handy. Just saying.

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

@ FBM, my bad. I just pulled them off with my hands, as gentle as possible. I pulled a little all around until they came off.

@ synack7350, I agree 100%. # of my shocks would have never came off with out my saws all! :)

DatSunMN
Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2011 3:26 am
Car: 1980 Datsun 720

Post

Doing the same paint method you are, heres my results, second coat only so far.

Image

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

@ DatSunMN, Looks good. I am having to put extra coats on mine because of the white I am using on the darker background. The hood is ready for the final sanding. My new fenders are here and will start on them this weekend. I am going to catch up with the rest of the truck before I do the final clear coat and sand. Playing with the idea of painting the grill to match the white.

This weekend I replaced the brake fluid and clutch fluid. The clutch wasn't fully disengaging and I was grinding gears. Had to park it till I fixed it. I also went ahead and replaced the slave cylinder. It was a bit leaky and it was only $24.00 anyways.

Save yourself about 10 to 20 bucks and make your own bleeder. Made mine out of an old spaghetti jar and vacuum hose.

I have some pics of the nastiness that I drained out and the beeder on my site. Didn't see the need in cluttering the build thread with them.

More details and pics at: http://www.hhocountry.com/2011/09/13/ni ... 9-13-2011/

DatSunMN
Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2011 3:26 am
Car: 1980 Datsun 720

Post

N-Dually wrote:@ DatSunMN, Looks good. I am having to put extra coats on mine because of the white I am using on the darker background. The hood is ready for the final sanding. My new fenders are here and will start on them this weekend. I am going to catch up with the rest of the truck before I do the final clear coat and sand. Playing with the idea of painting the grill to match the white.
Thanks, I myself plan on going up to 10-12 coats before I am finished, I am really going for that glass finish. A lot of work but certainly worth it in the end.

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

I have been working on painting and building the bed. I am using Rust-oleum paint. I purchased 2 new fenders and a valance. :dblthumb: The old one was too mangled. Here is what it looks like so far. I have been doing A LOT of sanding. Blah, I am not an auto body guy and my OCD won't let me stop till all the orange peel is gone. Getting closer though.

I built the bed out of pressure treated lumber and some nice 4 1/2 inch fasteners I found at Lowes. They have a large head to grasp the wood. I still need to add the cab board. I will take a better picture later.

Oh, and the clutch is going out. :rolleyes: I hope I can still drive it for a few more weeks.

Image
Image

User avatar
N-Dually
Posts: 93
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 6:02 pm
Car: 1986 Nissan 720 Dually
Location: Tennessee
Contact:

Post

Today, I replaced the old metal fuel tank filler hose and cap with a "new" used one. I fabricated a bracket for the filler tube out of a scrape piece of stainless steel.

I also added a cab protector and some eye bolts to hold cargo. I also finished adding the screws to hold the side rails and back piece that holds the lights and license plate. I will recess the lights later.

Image
Image
Image

User avatar
Rev_D21
Posts: 6897
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:49 pm
Car: 1986.5 D21 LB HD 2WD V6 5Speed
1991 D21 Reg 2WD Auto
1995 D21 Reg 2WD 5Spd
1996 D21 Reg 4WD 5Spd
2012 Versa 1.6S 5-Speed
Location: Somwhere in Western NY
Contact:

Post

Nice work rescuing the dually!! That truck is in the right hands!

On another note...I have a chrome 720 grille that might look good on that.


Return to “Datsun 720”