Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I am contemplating trying to make my 68 521 datsun pickup handle as good as a roadster...

suspension...
Rear:
adapt roadster springs to my 521 (instant lowering)
adjustable shocks
swaybar (roadster rear bar might work)

Front:
needs coil over conversion (tortion bars suck)
diskbrake conversion
needs front swaybar

wheels:
16x7 (215-50-16 front, 245-50-16 rear)

do any of you think this would get my truck somewhere near the suspension of a roadster...

thanks,
Chris

In the literal sense, no. The Roadster doesn't have many of the things you mentioned. No front coilovers, no rear anti-sway bar... Not likely to fit 16x7 wheels on a Roadster either. Don't know if the stock Roadster rear springs are particularly stiff; your truck's springs are probably more stiff than these.

Disk brakes in front would be nice. I have no clue why Datsun/Nissan waited until the late 70's to put disks on the trucks.

16x7 wheels and tires may look good but will do little to help handling. If you really want to handle well on the street get some 15x7 wheels and mount some Falken Azenis 205/50/15 tires. Tires are 90% of the handling and a good alignment is another 5%. I suggest getting the tires first and a good performance alignment. Then you should work on suspension tuning. I suggest adding a front swaybar and adjustable shocks. A limited slip differential will make a lot of difference also.

Chris,
I just drug a '70 521 from a local wrecking yard and All I need to get it back on the road is a fuse block. You wouldn't have an extra, would you??

Joel

no, but check with these guys...

www.nwde.org

Wheels and tires don't change the handling unless you're mixing tires. They will however increase the limits of handling.
Suspension setup and weight distribution is what you need to change. I'd recommend adjustable shocks and swaybars.
Thicker bar or stiffer shocks up front to induce more understeer.
Thicker bar or stiffer shocks in rear to induce more oversteer.

Best bet would be to alter the weight distribution and get as much as possible on the rear. Move battery back to right rear and even consider ballast such as a VERY heavy rear bumper. If you can find it there is a book called "How To Make Your Car Handle" by Fred Puhn Search for ISBN# 0-912656-46-8 It not only tells how to do it, but why. Lot of math, but you get it right on paper before you buy parts.

I had a full size short bed Dodge pickup with 1 inch swaybars front and rear, 275/60 tires allaround and dearched 1 ton springs front and rear. The handling was better than most Mustang GT's and Camaros, but when the rear end broke loose it was sudden and nasty. Ended up bolting two 5 foot sections of railroad track just ahead of the rear bumper, adding a 120 pound tow bumper and putting 2 25 pound bags of lead shot inside the spare tire. This helped alot. It also has a 340 and 4 speed, so traction was much improved.

Good luck

Two things I learned the hard way
"With a brick and enough money, you can build a very fast brick"
"Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go"