Just signed on.
I am from Astoria Oregon . Have been a Datsun fan / builder for 35+ years.
Recently my wife asked for a restored 720 4x4 to recreate the first truck we ever owned as a couple.
A 1985 standard cab 4x4.



We worked that little truck hard for several years before the need for a car seat made the thing impractical to keep.
Traveled all over the NW and Canada hauling a Parris Valley 7' camper.



Well I couldn't find a rust free 85 but I did manage to find a very nice 84 KC in Vernonia OR.
The truck had been meticulously restored ( mechanically ) in 2010 then parked in a barn.
New Motor / trans / T-case / brakes / tires / etc. etc. etc...
The cab is absolutely rust free and stock.
The bed was another story . It had been adorned with a set of 3" polly flairs at some point that hid a rather horrible fender trimming job. It also had all of the normal rust issues that the single wall beds are known for.
The truck was also equipped with a 3" body lift.



Luckily I found a repairable 1985 double wall bed in Yakima Wa. for $150 with a good tail gate.
Once the new bed was repaired ( front panel rust and a bit in the driver side fender )
The 3" body lift was removed and the new bed was installed.



The odd:
I'm not sure why but at some point the truck was converted to a Dog leg 5 speed from a ( I'm guessing ) 200sx.
The PO had this transmission rebuilt and re installed in the truck.
Not something I would have done....
This leads to a rather long first gear and of course the rather odd shift pattern ( the wife hates it ).
I'm on the hunt for the proper transmission for the truck as we speak.
At this point the truck is ready for body and paint. Probably won't tackle that little project until spring time.
The plan is to equip the truck with a good belly mount camper tie down system and a restored Okanagan 7' camper.
We will then be off to re live our travels of yester year....
I'll post pics once I figure out how....

If any one wants the old bed. Free to good home.
Has minor rust issues .
Comes with tail gate , fender flairs and 3" Body lift.
I will hold on to it until this weekend.

Welcome

You can use any 5 speed out of a 1985/86 regular cab short box, 2 or 4wd, they have short shaft transmissions, the early models all had longshaft 4 or 5 speeds with a really short driveline going to the T case.
If I had a good short shaft 5 speed I would trade you, but I don't, you can sell it and pay for your 720 5 speed, although you likely will not get enough for a rebuild on your 720 5 speed unless you rebuild it yourself.
I was going to say all the kingcab boxes are the same, but you figured that out yourself, good for you.

Thanks for the info. Now that I know what to look for I'll get right on it.

Here is a OEM NOS 4x4 720 transmission.

https://tucson.craigslist.org/pts/5223440181.html

I have no idea how much the shipping would be to send that bed from Oregon to Greensboro, North Carolina, but I would absolutely love to have it.

Sorry for the double post. I misread some of the original post and now realize that bed will not work for me anyway. I have a standard cab '84 with a standard cab '90 bed. I have been looking everywhere for an '84 or '85 standard bed. Not much luck though.

The bed went to a nice guy from the Portland metro aria Monday morning.
Had a good visit.
Thanks for the link Charlie 69 .
I'll check into it tomorrow.
If any one wants the 3" body lift it's still free ad available.