My 521 to 720 Chassis Conversion

[NZDatsunchris]

Hi. Ive been busy with my latest project but have not forgetten my 1200 wagon or 260c coupe

Brought this 69 521 flat deck from a old farm a few hours south of where i live. It had been off the road for some time and needed the brakes overhauled.

When we got it home i lowered it. Put a mates flat deck on the back and overhualed the brakes

I took it on its first Datsun cruise with the NZ Datsun owners club for a 200km return trip but only made it half way when the head gasket blew. Lucky for me there were 48 other Datsun to jump in with for the remainder of the cruise.

Once we had towed the 521 back to town i had to make the decision of repairing the J13 or upgrade to a J15 or............. Buy a 720 for $200 and peform a chassis swap.

So i did the later and got the 720 at home where i removed both cabs from both chasis's

And then placed the 521 on the 720 chassis

Practicaly bolted up to the chasiss

Now i have Z16 OHC instead of J13 OHV, Disc brake front end instead of drum all round and better front suspsension that has allowed me to lower alot more than previous

Ive put the 720 radiator into the 521

Ive also fitted a 620 booster and M/c

Now ive got a little bit of brake line plumbing and wiring to do and i can start it up and drive it to work again!

Here are some pics to show you what ive been up to

 

[wayno]

Hi there, I have done the same thing but went a little further, I put my 1969 datsun 521 on a 1982 datsun 720 diesel frame, I also made it a kingcab and put a stepside box on mine, I was not able to get it as low as yours is yet. Yours looks awesome, and you have the bigger fuel tank which has got to be better than the kingcab tank. Do you have a set of hubcaps? I have not put stock wheels on yet, but there coming. Power brakes are also a plus.:D Are you going to paint it, if so what color? To bad about the break down, but maybe you will like it better this way. wayno

[NZDatsunchris]

Hi Wayno,

Im liking your conversion.

And the kingcab is a good idea. Not much room in a single cab.

Ive wound the torsion bars down as far as they go and it sits on bump stops so ill prob raise it a inch to get some form of travel out of it.

I have some Red 720 steel wheel with bullet centres and planning on a wide white wall painted onto the tire.

Its seems to be going quite well so far.

Plan on driving it to work again within the next month.

As to the colour tho. I like the patina look. All scratched up and sunburnt , However one day would like to panel it up and paint it flat grey with Hi gloss/metallic maroon colour on the roof fading out down the the pillars.

One day.

Gotta get my CA18DET 1200 VB110 wagon on the road. Which isnt to far away either.

Then the 260C Coupe

[izzo]

Hi Wayno,

Im liking your conversion.

And the kingcab is a good idea. Not much room in a single cab.

Ive wound the torsion bars down as far as they go and it sits on bump stops so ill prob raise it a inch to get some form of travel out of it.

I have some Red 720 steel wheel with bullet centres and planning on a wide white wall painted onto the tire.

Its seems to be going quite well so far.

Plan on driving it to work again within the next month.

As to the colour tho. I like the patina look. All scratched up and sunburnt , However one day would like to panel it up and paint it flat grey with Hi gloss/metallic maroon colour on the roof fading out down the the pillars.

One day.

Gotta get my CA18DET 1200 VB110 wagon on the road. Which isnt to far away either.

Then the 260C Coupe

 

 

how well did the cab line up with the mounts on the frame? what mods did you have to do>?

[wayno]

how well did the cab line up with the mounts on the frame? what mods did you have to do>?

 

Hey there h2theizzo, I had to use 1" blocks under the cab itself(the mounts by you feet and in back of the seat) because to get it to set on the frame I would have to lower/relocate the fuel tank as mine has a kingcab tank and part of it is under the cab extension, otherwise I could go down another 1 1/2" The two front mount holes(under the radiator area) are right where they need to be and center the wheels in the front fender wells perfect. Also the 4 cab mount holes are about 1" off in one direction or another, but the blocks allowed me to offset the mount studs. wayno

[NZDatsunchris]

Yeh i used a mixture of the 720 /521 cab mounts rubbers and had to drill all the holes 1/2 inch in board.

As well as that ive had to cut the inner guard around the suspensioon arms and the steering box.

And drill some new holes in firewall for brake booster and clutch cylinder