What did you do TO or FOR your Datsun today?(Roadsters only)

[tknishi]

Installed KYB shocks all around and Datsunparts comp springs. Also threw on the Watanabe wheels. Much better stance than before. New calipers and rotors should be in this week for next weekends project.

[C.Costine]

Installed KYB shocks all around and Datsunparts comp springs. Also threw on the Watanabe wheels. Much better stance than before. New calipers and rotors should be in this week for next weekends project.

tknishi, could you explain what you mean by "much better stance"?

[tknishi]

Installed KYB shocks all around and Datsunparts comp springs. Also threw on the Watanabe wheels. Much better stance than before. New calipers and rotors should be in this week for next weekends project.

tknishi, could you explain what you mean by "much better stance"?

By stance I meant the car sits nice and level now. Before, my shocks were shot in the back so the rear sat low, and the front sat higher. The new shocks raised the rear a little, and the new comp springs lowered the front. Previously, the front tires had a 3" gap from tire to fender and looked weird, this brought the gap down to about 1 1/2".

[DAC21]

Installed KYB shocks all around and Datsunparts comp springs. Also threw on the Watanabe wheels. Much better stance than before. New calipers and rotors should be in this week for next weekends project.

Were you replacing OEM shocks or some unknown aftermarket? Were you able to drive the car to get a feel for the improvement? The Bil's being offered by Vendors have gotten great reviews, but for a Sunday driver I probably will need to make $ sacrifices.

[Linda]

The KYB shocks were the recommended shocks prior to the revalved Konis and before the Bilsteins came along. If your OEM shocks are shot , the KYBs will be noticeable in improvement in handling and may be “good enough” as they were for me. That said the Konis or Bilsteins may be what you really want, like many performance upgrades. As a point of discussion, though, there might be some “ performance “ upgrades you might NOT want, according to your preference, for me that would be competition springs ( too low, too stiff), Solexes ( too loud, too much gas washing cylinders and too costly)IMHO. Konis and Bilsteins are , so far, in that category. Just not a priority.
So do your homework and check the reviews, see what you want. Your money, your choice.
Enjoy the ride,
Linda

[tknishi]

My shocks were shot. The rears were some aftermarket, the front looked OEM, they are Konis. Are people still interested in buying these and revalving them? I've had the KYB shocks and comp springs for about 4 years, just never installed them till this past weekend.

I will definitely look into the Bilsteins down the line, I've heard great things about them. I just spent a good amount on a new East Coast Roadster EI, and new calipers and rotors from Datsunparts.

[notoptoy]

yes, your Koni's have value, post them on e-bay and be amazed.

[PandaBoy]

Just picked up a set of new front springs. Wondering if anybody is familiar with them?
The fairladyparts.com website doesn't appear to have been updated since 2011.

[Alvin]

I have not touched my roadster in 14 days. It was driven hard and literally put away wet following the Breakfast Club rally up North 10/10. Allow me to share a little of my OCD ways...I never leave my roadster dirty for more than a day. After a drive I wipe it down with quick-detailer spray. Even if it's not my car, it's what I do. 



I finally gave it a wash, the first wash since January of 2019 as the rain/grime was caked on.



Now, I am relieved. Especially after washing all the family vehicles too

[v8_ranch]

Spent most of my day working on drywall in my house, but the is so my wife will keep letting me for on the car, haha. Did sneak in 10-15 minutes with some flat jaw camping pliers to work on first phase of straightening our my front end... still a lot of work to do but a little bit of progress in the right direction...

Before pics

[v8_ranch]

After pics

[v8_ranch]

Also picked up all of my parts at Nissan to rebuild my fuel pump... all but the gaskets for the spacer (supposed to be in by end of week)

[notoptoy]

I tackled that front valance project on my Roadster this past spring. The metal is surprisingly thin and malleable, even so it is really tough to make it look good. I used a wooden Dowell and clamps, along with various other pieces of wood to get it "good enough". Keep picking away at it, you're making good progress!

[v8_ranch]

I tackled that front valance project on my Roadster this past spring. The metal is surprisingly thin and malleable, even so it is really tough to make it look good. I used a wooden Dowell and clamps, along with various other pieces of wood to get it "good enough". Keep picking away at it, you're making good progress!

Can you post a picture or drawing explaining the clamps and dowel better?

[notoptoy]

I'll look, but I don't think I have pictures of that process. Basically use a flat piece of wood on one side of the metal, and another flat piece of wood (for straight parts), or a piece of dowel rod (for the curved portions) and clamp on the two pieces of wood to sandwich and flatten or curve the metal. Release the clamp move a few more inches and repeat. The soft wood helps shape and straighten the metal and you don't have to worry about marring the metal with the clamps. Worked pretty good for me.