Yet another 85 4x4 =D

[Bmacster]

Hey Everyone! I just picked up an 85 Nissan 720 4x4 that I got from my girlfriend's family that didn't have any real purpose for it anymore. It's in, well, it has had a somewhat rough time. I wanted a basic, light truck with 4x4 capability for camping and checking out old mining towns that are all around Washington and Idaho.

Some questions though that I wanted to ask first:

The heck was Nissan/Datsun thinking with the water channels!? I had a big surprise when a bunch of water came out of the blower housing. The passenger side is rusted up pretty good and will most likely weld in some new metal there once I start doing rust mitigation.

How common is it for the diffs and transfer case to leak? Everything on the poor gal is leaking something, from some where. When I go to change the seals, is there anything else I should look at or change while I am in there? It also looks like the transmission and the oil plan is leaking slightly.... I figure I would go through and replace the u-joints.. I noticed a vibration around 45-55mph from the rear of the vehicle.

The junkyard has an 86 720 that has a tach and clock that I am going to pull this weekend. I assume it is just a "plug and play" thing or is there any wiring that needs to be done?

I am planning on getting a lot of PB Blaster, Rust-Oleum, etc. Do you guys have any recommendation on using a rubberized undercoating or just stick with the Rust-Oleum?

The day I looked it over


The rear diff leaking


Transfer Case leaking


Front diff leaking


The transmission leaking... or could be the slave cylinder


Oil pan leaking

[Bmacster]

Does anyone know what these shims are for? They are on both sides in front and there are some on the rear as well.


Another angle of the front diff leaking


Passenger side of the engine bay


Drivers side of the engine bay


I'll need to get a new tailgate and taillights...

[Bmacster]

I am also going to grab some 96 Rodeo or Passport seats. The one's in the truck now are completely shot. Found some decent ones in town for $50 for both.

And a new passenger door as well...


The parts donor (the needle is just out of view...)


And lastly, the interior


Ah, let the fun begin!

[dirtdog]

The shims level the cab to match the bed, or vice a versa. you get it! Makes the line match up.
Good luck with the truck. Looks like some work, but I love my truck. On my third!!!
Dirtdog

[Bmacster]

Thanks!

I'll be working on the truck tomorrow and working on the rear drive shaft and u-joints. Also need to address the rear pinion gear bearing since it is leaking. Yippee! Pics tomorrow!

[radracer]

sweet, its nice to see another new face rocking their build. Cant wait to see your pics!

[Bmacster]

Small update,

I got the rear driveline out this morning to see if the u-joints were bad on either end or if it is another issue. The first thing I noticed was the lack of grease. There really should be 2 grease fittings on the yoke. Maybe a mod later down the road.


The first thing I noticed once I got home was all of the "shims" and weights on the shaft.


Another weight and broken seal on the shaft.


After getting most of the grease off it. I'll clean it up a bit better after I get it inspected.


Is this indent in the yoke supposed to be there? Also, does anyone know where I can find the new seal for the yoke? Not having any luck locating it.

[Bmacster]

Small update:

Had Drivelines NW take a look at the shaft and the spline is a touch loose with some up and down movement. With that said, since the truck won't be a DD and wouldn't be driven too far/long, they advised to keep it well greased and can drive it as-is but warned that it could, of course, cause vibration and other drivetrain issues down the road.

So, the truck will be reassembled next week and sometime next year, I will have them go and rebuild the drive shafts. At least it'll be coming home so I can work on it regularly! For now, off to Harbor Freight Tools to pick up an angle grinder and some wire cups, along with some rustoleum for the shaft.