New 620 Project may be Rare Truck?

1972-1979 Datsun 620 forums. All 620-specific topics and discussion can be found here.
NorCal620
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:12 pm
Car: 76 620 4x4
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Hi Guys,Im new to the forum and Vintage Datsun Trucks.My Father in Law and I have 2 projects.The one in question is a straight axle 4x4 with a jeep 3 speed transfer case ? This is strange to me but it looks like the truck has jeep running gear has anyone heard of this being done? It also has a 6 lug bolt pattern.I have never seen a Straight axle Datsun 4x4.My Father in Law states that the man we got the truck from said this was a factory option that Datsun sent out and had done by a seperate company.Trying to figure out if this is a rare truck or is worth making it a driver.

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dallasca
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:04 pm
Car: 1973 Datsun 620 Truck, and SRT Neon

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I could be wrong but at least here in the US the first Nissan/Datsun trucks to be avalible with 4X4 where the 720s. By looking at the pictures you have posted it looks like all jeep running gear even the wheels look to be jeep. Sorry dont know much about Jeeps I am more of a Land Cruiser guy. It dosent matter though option or not its a good lookin 620 well worth putting back on the road. The fact it has already been converted over to a 4X makes it an eye catcher cause there are not to many around. Not to mention done the correct way to begin with. Does it still have the Datsun L series 4 cyl in it? Anyways nice project.

NorCal620
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:12 pm
Car: 76 620 4x4
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I thought that the running gear was jeep.It does have the original Datsun 4cyl in it with a manual tranny but the rest is jeep as far as running gear goes in my opinion.Now just trying to figure out what axles and T-Case are under it and debating wether to stab a fuel injected 2.4 out of a 240sx in it. We have a tranny out of a Z car the leans the correct way to put in the EFI 2.4 but dont know if it will pass emissions in California.

Old Rob
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:33 pm
Location: Orange County, CA

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Datsun never farmed out the 4x4 conversions. There were quite a few companies that did them for the dealers. They used Dana front axles (JeeP) and made a craddle to hold the Dana transfer case, mounted with a very short drive shaft from the trans. We did a lot of Chevy V8 conversions on them. If memory serves (not sure) both, they were 2wd high and 4wd high and low.

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phlebmaster
Posts: 912
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 5:00 pm
Car: 1973 240z L26 4spd rip roar and ready to go!

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Welcome...nice 4x4!

NorCal620
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:12 pm
Car: 76 620 4x4
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It is a cool old truck.Can anyone tell by the horrible pics i took with my phone what axles they might be ? The rear end is not anything from jeep from what I can tell due to the 9 inch like removable center chunk.The front Diff has huge outer knuckles almost like a Dana 41/44 but too narrow....I havent found anywhere on the web where i can look up the numbers on the truck either.Geez these are elusive little boogers to look up and gain info on.

seang
Posts: 2028
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:09 pm
Car: Ford Fiesta ST
Location: Michigan

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The rear diff looks like a Nissan. Look in the Nissan Trucks Forums on here, there is a sticky thread up top, everything you need to know about nissan axles, word.

ruski47
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 5:22 pm
Car: 1967 L520 pickup

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Spencer Low of Low Manufacturing built many of these conversions .I had a blue 1973 W/231 Buick V6

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NL320what
Posts: 61
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 5:00 pm
Car: 63 NL320 4x4, 04 Yukon, 13 Chrysler 200t
Location: North Sacramento

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The dealers contracted out local custom 4x4 places to perform these conversions back in the day for the 620. I had a 74 620 4x4 truck.

They did use jeep suspensions under them. The front and rear axles usually are 5 lug and the front has manual locking hubs. Mine was converted to a twin stick transfer case, but it had 2wH, N, 4wH, and 4wL not in that order.

The engine and tranny are stock Datsun. Front steering arm has a welded in extension, and the leafs have shackles on theme to raise it.

They did a good job back then for the 4x4 part of it. Some even kept the front disc brakes on the 77 620. It is pretty rare so keep it 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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i have a 75 620 king cab and it has the origonal rearend and a high low t case but i think my front end is from a blazer. I had no idea that dealerships had this done thats nice to know. nice truck i had to swap bodies on mine cuz it was really rusty! good luck on you project.

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AZhitman
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Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
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This thread is AWESOME!!!

A lot of this info I did not know... I hope this one keeps rolling, there's some great info being shared here.
ruski47 wrote:I had a blue 1973 W/231 Buick V6
HELL YEAH!!!

jeremy620
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 7:29 am
Car: 620 4x4

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hay your front end is a cj5 dana 30 tcase is a model 20 from a jeep its a 2speed but it also has a 2wd low range rear diff is stock if u need more info e mail me [email protected]

dimedriver
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 4:10 pm
Car: 71 Datsun 510

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I just picked up a 74 like this.

It seems to have a dana 44 front axle with a 5 lug setup.

Does anyone know if these retained the Datsun drums or are they from some other truck?

Mine has drums on all 4 wheels.-Avery

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PEZi
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first of all... i know its kinda a late response but welcome to the forums!

and to answer your 240sx engine question, its better to pull the KA out of the hardbody pickup for ease of transplanting compared to the 240's KA... its basically the same engine but the one out of the hardbody was made for a truck and will require less mods along the way to fit in!

enjoy your stay!

dimedriver
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 4:10 pm
Car: 71 Datsun 510

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I don't think you can do a KA swap and retain the 4wd stuff.

If you look between the transmission and the transfer case there is a 6inch long drive shaft. The KA transmission is more than 6 inches longer than the 620's 4 speed. I think you would have to use a short tail 5 speed. The only one I can think of is the dog leg in the early 200sx and HL510's.

I think Im going to keep mine pretty stock. Maybe find the dogleg 5speed So I can get on the interstate but thats it.

-Avery

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PEZi
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that's a very good point... i suppose the only real way to do a KA swap for this would be to put 4X4 hardbody stuff in... that would be a hassle

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620_4x4
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:53 pm
Car: 73 620 4x4 and some others too

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What year is the truck? if it's 75 or newer, you will run into smog problems here in CA.

that is a nice looking truck, love the 620 when it's lifted.

if you want more power look into building an L24B (Z24 w/ L20 head)this is a great truck/ 4x4 motor, it makes lots of mid range torque.

ritchey
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:50 pm

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YES!!!! it is datsun sent trucks to jeep to make them 4x4.


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