Pics of My Beater

[toddincharlotte]

So I took a flyer on a 720. I've had my eye out for one for a while but didn't want to spend my whole kitty on the truck itself because I wanted to keep some $ aside for a build.

After about a month of searching I decided on this base model. I feel like it has good potential as the body and frame are pretty much rust free. I paid $1000 for it and had to put a timing chain into it to make it road worthy.

I'm putting it out there to this community for suggestions. I'm planning on doing a full tune-up [cap, rotor, wires, timing, plugs] and a full diagnostic of the vacuum lines. Right now it idles a little rough and I'm guessing it's timing or vacuum related. The other mechanical piece is the front end. I'm not sure where to begin here but the steering has a lot of play in it. I'm guessing idler arm or steering gear.....again would love some suggestions.

Lastly, the plan is for body-work and paint including rims and tires [low profile 15s] Ferrari Yellow with black stripes and limo tint, Hercu-liner roll-in textured bed-liner and blacked out trim.

I'd really like some suggestions on anything and everything....I've been lurking/searching for a while now so I thought it was just time to put it out there for suggestions. I dunno....maybe I'm crazy for thinking I can make something with this truck...my family definitely thinks I'm nuts...but...I'm going to give it a shot anyway. Limited budget....maybe 2K to spend.....

[ProudNissanFreak]

Hot damn! That's one clean 720!

[woodbutcher5691]

I think you have a good start. That's one clean ride

[breadbox]

nice. I like the creme.

[fastboatman29212]

had to put a timing chain into it to make it road worthy.

I see that a timing kit is not very expensive. How difficult is it to put one in? I have 203K on mine and I'm sure it'd run better if I did.

[PEZi]

I'd really like some suggestions on anything and everything....I've been lurking/searching for a while now so I thought it was just time to put it out there for suggestions. I dunno....maybe I'm crazy for thinking I can make something with this truck...my family definitely thinks I'm nuts...but...I'm going to give it a shot anyway. Limited budget....maybe 2K to spend.....

Let me know what you have in mind.... I'm the master of budget building

[toddincharlotte]

Thanks for all the kind comments about my ride guys.

[toddincharlotte]

Fastboat.....I would rate it a moderate difficulty. It was the first timing chain I had done and I had a lot of help. The tricky part in my mind was all the marking. Best to find TDC first. We marked the distributor, ignition wire to cylinder 1, crank pulling timing mark, and a couple of places on the block where the timing gear stamps lined up. From there it's just a bunch of bolts. Radiator and shroud come out. Alternator, distributor, valve cover, two front cylinder head bolts, timing chain cover, oil pump and water pump. Remove old chain being careful not to move the motor. line up new chain and gears with old positions. There is a "pin" that we placed in hole "2" as that's what the autozone manual and old gear had. Once it's in there replace everything with new gaskets. Torque to spec. Reset timing.

Still not running 100%......I'm doing a tune up first, plugs, cap and rotor, fuel system cleaner, fuel filter, air filter. If that doesn't do it the vacuum system is next....the truck is running ok but it idles a little rough and I'm convinced I'm not getting the full 80 or so hp out of this z24 yet.

FASTBOAT,

Lemmie also say that the only reason I did the work was because there was a nasty ticking coming from underneath the cover. When we removed it the tensioner and half the right chain guide fell to the ground. It was a good thing we did the work because that tick was a time bomb waiting to go off for that motor. Having said that if you're not hearing noises from the motor and know the chain and kit are in spec I wouldn't do the work. It's a pretty big job [in fact I would say a remove/replace cylinder head could be easier] and if it's not necessary you won't receive any kind of performance gains or anything from it.

[toddincharlotte]

Pezi,

I am open to suggestions right now. So far, this is my build sheet:
Timing Chain Kit [done]
Test and Tune Engine [in process]
Stereo [Pioneer with 4" and 6x9]
Inspect and repair front end [play in steering]
Idler Arm?
Steering Gear?
Bushings?

Body Work
pull emblems and trim
wet sand entire car
grind and fill small rust spots
fill various dings
work out front clip and prep and remount both bumpers
rattle can prime

Paint [base/clear coat]
Roll-In Liner [Herculiner or equivalent]
dash or dash cover
Steering wheel
Window tint
Rims and tires

[toddincharlotte]

How 'bout these rims and tires? Guy wants $200 them. 15x7 rim and 30x9.5x15 tires.....I figured the rims alone were worth that [50 a piece] but the tires are new so maybe I can trade them for some 205/60s or something. The 9.5s are too wide for the truck no?

[lambohaha]

How 'bout these rims and tires? Guy wants $200 them. 15x7 rim and 30x9.5x15 tires.....I figured the rims alone were worth that [50 a piece] but the tires are new so maybe I can trade them for some 205/60s or something. The 9.5s are too wide for the truck no?

First off, that is one clean little truck! I thought I had gotten a clean little 720 but you got me beat with yours.
Now to the wheels and tires. That wheel with 205/60`s will be perfect although you may have to pound the inner wheel well on the front if you lower it. I had to but I went with 205/70 at the corners. Here`s pics with the 15x7 and the 205/70`s stock height and lowered 1 inch.

[fastboatman29212]

I have 235/75/15's on my truck and I had rub with tight turns in parking lots and big bumps with the wheel turned would rub too. So, yep! I pounded away at my inner front wheel wells and now have clearance for almost anything except REALLY REALLY tight turns and bigger bumps.

Those are great looking wheels at a super great price, but you're gonna rub. My truck has NOT been lifted, but looks lifted a bit because of the bigger wheels and tires, so be sure that's the look you want before you put that set of tires on. Also, make sure the hole in the center of the wheel is big enough to allow it to bit fully onto your hub.

BEFORE



AFTER - Looks taller doesn't it?

[toddincharlotte]

Thanks guys.....appreciate the pictures.....not 100% sure which way to go at this point but I am going to buy the rims....helluva deal and can always trade/sell the tires...they are nearly new.

Love the way both the trucks sit.

[Rev_D21]

205/60r15 tires look right at home on these trucks. Excellent choice! I am running Sumitomo HTR 205/60R15s right now, handles really good.

[PEZi]

205/60r15 tires look right at home on these trucks. Excellent choice! I am running Sumitomo HTR 205/60R15s right now, handles really good.

I'd debate that some 275/35/15's are really where its at :P

[fastboatman29212]

Pezi, you need to post a pic in order to back up that claim. :P

[lambohaha]

Pezi, you need to post a pic in order to back up that claim. :P

lol I agree. And is that at all the corners or just the rear corners? If just the rear, I think I might like that look

[toddincharlotte]

I think Pezi's talking about those autocross Hosiers!

[fastboatman29212]

is that at all the corners or just the rear corners? If just the rear, I think I might like that look

I only had to pound the front wheel well rear corners. If you look at the 2nd pic of my truck you can see I lost at least 1.5 inches of clearance at the 3 o'clock position. No rub up top or in the front.

[PEZi]

I think Pezi's talking about those autocross Hosiers!

Yessir





And just because its hilarious, the aftermath of this past weekend's race...

[toddincharlotte]

That's some pretty nasty fan rash.

[Rev_D21]

It so looks like a slot car on those. I love it!

[toddincharlotte]

Yeah....that truck is sweet....I'll bet it turns like a mutha!

[toddincharlotte]

My other toy!








[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9NMhYLV6pk[/youtube]

[Rev_D21]

Pezi needs some cool white striping to match those wheels.

[PEZi]

I'm going to be getting silver wheels sometime in the near future... and yes, it does handle like crazy. 1.5ish G's in corners.

[JoeCool6972]

@ Todd: that is a sharp looking truck. Wish my seat was that nice. I would go with a 225/60/15 or 215/60. The 235/75 just doesn't look right.

@ Pezi: That truck is bad a**!

[toddincharlotte]

Not sure what to think of these. Trying to get used to the look but they just feel too big to me. I am getting some rub on the fronts in sharp turns though I could mod to fit.

I may just sell the ATs on Craigslist and see if I can get me some 60s. Regardless of how it turns out I feel like I got a decent deal on these rims and tires.

[Rev_D21]

Rims look great on there. Tires are way too big w/o a lift. A 60 series will look right at home.

[PEZi]

Yeah, tires are a bit large. Good looking setup, though.