Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I've been hearing for a few years how a non-relative of my son (long story) had left him a truck in his will. This gentleman passed away 12 years ago and I've heard descriptions of everything from a pile of rusting metal to something with no doors or wheels. So, when we recieved a call last week asking if my son wanted this truck, I was very skeptical. It was on my way so I decided to stop and check it out last week. Tucked away in a locked outdoor shed was this truck, at the time all I could see was the front end but I was cautiously optimistic that it was worth digging out.
On Friday, my son and I (he's 15) rented a trailer and went on the journey to retrieve his first truck. After moving a bunch of wood and other stuff stored there, we found this. An 85' Nissan, 4x4 with a Z24 motor. It has 48,000 original miles and had not been touched in the past 12 years. Even has a factory sunroof.

We struggled to get it out of the shed because the emergency brakes were seized up. I had to tow it out with my truck first, then we had to jack it up and whack the rear drums to get the brakes free.
Once home, we pulled the plugs and put some oil in the cylinders while we changed the other fluids. A new battery and fresh gas and she started right up! The next problem was the clutch was seized up. I changed the slave cylinder ($12 in-stock...definately not a roadster) but it was still seized. I had to jack up both rear tires, start it in gear, and hit the brakes a few times to break loose the clutch plate.
By Sunday afternoon we were driving it up and down the street. It runs great, stops great, and overall seems to have weathered it's hybernation just fine...other than the mice damage. It's really a shame, I bet this truck was nearly perfect when it was put away but the mice have done some small damage to a lot of spots....

The picture shows the truck when we offloaded it at home. Hadn't been washed or cleaned up at all at that point. It cleaned up nicely.

Cool ride, low miles, nice starting point for lots of learning.
First mice concern is chafed (consumed) wiring, as a short can lead to electrical woes which can really deflate the enthusiasm (ask me how I know).
Swap out seats / interior bits should be easy to source, or recreate if so inclined, everything pretty boxy and square edged back then.

How about cleaned up pics too?

OK, here you go. Nothing super special but I'd have loved to have this truck as my first ride when I was 16. Awefully generous of the gentleman that gave it to him. I didn't know the man, but I have to believe his heart was in the right place.

That cleaned up really nice, definitely a very generous gift! It looks new inside.
Is that a CB Radio or a really old car phone??

That's an 84 unless they changed the box. The 85 and newer had seamless box sides and were double wall design. Either way I like it.

you know, it could well be an 84', I couldn't recall for certain and we are still waiting for the title to arrive in the mail this week.

Unless I'm mistaken, that is the oddest radio I've seen. It appears to be an am/fm/cassette/CB. To be honest, I didn't mess with it but it's got a mic attached and a CB antenna cable running to a detachable antenna behind the seat.

Hi Brad...nice pickup, if you would like a chrome bumper with black end caps for the front, so the bumpers could match, I have a very nice one off of the 82 Diesel pickup I parted out, I'm sure it would fit, if you guys want it, it's yours for free, you just have to drive across the valley to get it... Bill

Thanks Bill, that's really nice of you. I think for now we'll just drive it for awhile as-is. I don't even have time to finish my roadster, I can't spend time on this too....

That is a seriously sweet truck! Hope your boy enjoys it. Karmically, we should all do something like that for someone else's kid once in our lifetimes... at least once. Hope he respects the originality - I would however definitely forgive a newer stereo and some upgraded wheels and tires - he is a teenager after all!

Those are actually stock Nissan wheels and I expect we'll keep them. I would go along with a new stereo but we won't be cutting anything to install it.
Once we get it registered next week, I'm going to start driving it daily to get any bugs worked out.

well, once I spelled out how much it will cost a 16yr old driver to own his own truck, my son has decided to sell it and put the money away for college. The problem is, I don't have a clue what it's worth.
It's actually an 83' with the Z24 motor, 5 speed, 4x4. I just put new brake cylinders on it and I believe that's the last thing it needed. Otherwise, every single thing on the truck works perfectly and it just now has 49,500 miles. (I've been driving it to work) it has a brand new battery, oil change, rear brake cylinders, and clutch slave.

Any thoughts on value? We don't need top dollar, just want it to go to a good home......I haven't seen any comparables.

I would put value in the $5-6k range I think. You are right, the comparables are hard to come by... Too much more than that and guys start getting pragmatic and think about a 1998 Frontier... I would buy it myself as a work truck, but I would never forgive myself when the first rust came through...
I just sold my 94 Hardbody 4x4 with 140k miles on it for $700 as the body fell off it over the last 3 years. Not Canadian winter friendly. It was almost rust free when I bought it in 2008 with original paint... Paid $7k then...ouch.

Check it out: http://bringatrailer.com/2011/12/20/56k ... dbody-4x4/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This '86 made it on Bringatrailer. Let us know when you list your truck and we'll give them a heads up

Cheers
James

I sure didn't think it was worth anywhere near that much. I need to get off my butt and get it listed but I won't ask that much, I like things to dissappear once I list them. Maybe in a week or two I'll have time to do it.