Need advice on a new to me '89 D21

[Landlockt]

I just picked up an '89 4 cyl. 4x4 ext. cab. that needs a lot of work:

It has a lot of little things that need to be taken care of, e.g. right rear taillight lens, non-functioning heater/fan, driver's side door panel needs to be replaced, the drivers side motor mount weld has snapped, exhaust pipe from muffler back, etc.

How do I find out what other years have parts that are compatible?

Below are the major problems I need the most help with in order of importance (as I see it).

1) The front end is a mess, I need to hold the wheel at 9 o'clock to go straight and if I let go of the wheel it quickly goes to 3 o'clock and pulls HARD to the right.

2) The leaf springs are flat and one leaf on the passenger side is snapped in half.

3) The clutch will need replacing sooner rather than later. Someone suggested an Exedy. I can pick one up of of eBay for $100 delivered.

Any help/advice is appreciated. I also need some tips on good parts suppliers.

Thanks

p.s. this truck has 255k on it

[Rev_D21]

First off welcome to NICO. We are the best source for Nissan info on the net today. Sounds like you have a project on your hands. I can say confidently that most body parts will swap between the years of 86.5 through 97. Nissan did a dash update in 1994. The Z24i was available from 86.5-89 with the newer KA engine replacing it in 1990. Nissan trucks, especially 4wd ones love to tear through ball joints and tie rod ends like they are candy. As far as your steering goes I would give it a good shake down and not be too surprised if the center link, tie rod ends and ball joints need replacing. Over time the control arm bushings will start to rot as well causing alignment problems. Rear leaf spring problems are not too difficult to tackle. You can go used and rebush them or have a spring shop make you a set. Install is not too bad. Clutch-wise most members here will say that unless you are pushing big HP numbers an OEM Nissan clutch is the best way to go. You will want to replace the T/O bearing, pilot bushing, resurface the flywheel, replace the rear main crank seal and the pressure plate. This way you know all that stuff is good to go for a long time if you plan on keeping the truck. Suppliers would include your local Nissan dealer, www.everythingnissan.com , www.courtesyparts.com and www.rockauto.com to name a few.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[Landlockt]

I forgot to mention that I was able to find the springs, taillight lens and heater blower at a local yard.

$120 for everything.

[RT22]

Junkyards and local sale catalogs are good, many part out old wrecks in the local classified ads and you can load up on parts. Junkyards also great one stop shopping, if you have a pull a part it is self serve and you can scrounge a ton of stuff as i have from nuts and bolts to major parts.

[Landlockt]

I went to a local junk yard and didn't find what I needed.

I took it in to a local shop to look at the front end and here is my list of parts needed:

Wheel bearing service
Idler arm
Center link
Left inner and outer tie rods
Left upper and lower ball joints

I trust the shop, in fact I told them I was going to do the work myself so they had ne vested interest in exaggerating the needed parts.

I replaced the air filter and the little rectangular filter that is in the intake coming from the blow by tube of the valve cover.

There was a lot of oil in the little rectangular filter. There was also a lot of air pressure coming out of the valve cover when I removed oil fill cap. What does that indicate?

I changed the oil and filter as well.

[RT22]

Normal the little filter gets that oil from engine it is normal as is a lot of pressure when running if fill cap is removed, engines build pressure when running, it is all normal.

[Landlockt]

It's been a long time since I've seen seen the little filter and an air filter that dirty so I was concerned.

I guess it's been a long time since I've pulled the fill cap off while the engine was running too.

Thanks

[longtooth]

Keep checking the air filter area for oil. If you start getting alot pretty quick then its a sign that you my have cracked piston rings. I have had that problem before. At the end when the hose was unplugged from the air cleaner it looked like a mini chimeny lol.

Hope you just have normal blow by.