Couldn’t resist getting another Datsun

[mshort07]

I’ve been a 311.org member since 2013. It started with the purchase of my 1st ‘69 roadster. The plan was a full, down to bare frame, resto-mod. It was a non runner and quickly became obvious I needed another car for parts. So I bought a second, in bad shape but it was a runner. Then I picked up another parts car because it was close and a good buy. Then there was a forth car because it was close, cheap, and had the windshield I needed. After all that my wife still kept me around.

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The car’s been continuing on and off since I starter. I’m in the home stretch now. Just recently got it back from the painter and the urge started up again. I wanted another Datsun. Something I could tinker on but not dive so deep into as I did on the roadster. I wanted something I could drive back and forth to town and work. So I found me a ‘68 Datsun 520. It looked decent in the pictures. After talking to the owner, it sounded like a good buy. It drove. It stopped. The electric worked. So I hooked up the trailer and I was off to pick it up.

The test drive was a blast. When I got back to the guy’s house I just pulled it right up on the trailer. It was going home with me.

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As I was trailering it home my family and friends were saying it wouldn’t be long before I had it all apart. I kept on saying no. I just wanted to get it road worthy for now and drive it. Well...

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I got to work and replaced a bunch of the front suspension and steering components, water pump and hoses.

The wheels and tires were the next items that needed attention. I picked up some Chevy 15x8 steel rally wheels and 195/50-15’s. Improved the look quite a bit.

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Then I got brave and drove it into town. It was a white knuckle ride. The tires are a bit shorter than original, the truck was geared for low speeds and to carry cargo so the engine was screaming to keep at 50 mph.

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So, the third project was called for, swapping out the rear end gears. After some internet research I discovered the roadster and truck rear end housings are the same and that the roadster ring and pinion would fit in the truck. Since I had some spares from my roadster project I thought I’d give it a try. Success! A test drive proved that the smaller tires and the new gears worked out great.

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I took the bed off to get to the rear end so I thought I’d clean up some seas on the bed since it was off.

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I also thought I’d replace the exhaust while I was in there.

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Well, we all know where this is going. Since I’d gone so far I decided to continue on and paint the entire truck.

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So maybe everybody was right. It wouldn’t be long before I had it all apart....

[notoptoy]

Love it, I really like these little trucks!

[theunz]

Some of us just never learn

[mshort07]

One of the perks about being a school teacher is having the summers off. I get plenty of time to play with my projects.

[redroadster]

You really need to put a padded bar on the back glass, where your head would impact it. If your rearened your head hits the glass hard enough to knock you out . a customer had it happen and later died from it

[S Allen]

Wish I still had my 521. They are awesome little trucks. Looking good but after your roadster we expect nothing else.

Steve

[mshort07]

Been hard at work, just on the wrong Datsun. Anyway, I wanted to get the truck done and back on the road so I could get back on the roadster.

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So now that it was all back together I decided to put it to a test. I needed to take my roadster doors to my parents house so I figured I’d haul Datsun parts in my Datsun truck.
Well that went good so I figured I go a little farther and I drove to a fellow car nuts house. It was a one hour round trip of driving in 92 degree weather. Did great! Love it!

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[Gregs672000]

Love the truck! So wish I had not sold my '73 620...

[mshort07]

Moved on into the interior of the truck. Wasn’t originally planning on redoing the seat so soon but it was quite uncomfortable. So after I took the bench out I found some broken springs on the drivers side. I fixed them and reupholstered the seat. Not too bad.

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On vacation this week. Next week I’m replacing all the brake components. I didn’t like the feel stopping quick from 55mph. I also need to replace the clutch master cylinder. It just starting leaking.

[S Allen]

Looking good.

S

[mshort07]

2019 Wings, Wheels, and Keels in topping Va. 1st car show with my truck. Hopefully next year I’ll have the truck and the roadster in it.